Objective

Franklin Templeton’s annual three-day strategic planning meeting gathers together a global team of people who work in diverse roles. There are two objectives: to make strategic plans and to provide an opportunity for team development.

Solution

Impact USA worked in partnership with Franklin Templeton to create a powerful start to the event using Community Action Learning.

The group’s business skills were called upon to provide strategic guidance to Shelter Network, a not-for-profit organisation working to break the cycle of homelessness in San Mateo County, USA. The team focussed on two important initiatives:

•    An analysis of Shelter Network's web presence, including their online giving and e-marketing efforts
•    Devising a strategy for a high-profile fundraising event

The day began with a tour of First Steps for Families, one of seven shelters operated by Shelter Network. The facility focuses on families in need of short-term shelter, providing accommodation and food, life skills workshops, mandatory savings programmes, job and housing search assistance and much more.

It became immediately clear that the programme was about solving some very real problems. "This wasn't just a corporate teambuilding project, it was real work that could have a tangible impact on an organisation that could truly benefit from our advice" observed Henry Johnson, president and co-CEO of Fiduciary Trust.

The teams worked hard throughout the day, researching their projects and adapting to working within a not-for-profit organisation in order to be in a position to formulate their recommendations and prepare their presentations for Shelter Network.

Results

The day proved to be a great success with Shelter Network implementing some of the suggestions straight away.

The Franklin Templeton team experienced an environment that required them to listen and learn, be patient and thoughtful, ask probing questions and not jump immediately to solutions. This was particularly beneficial as they moved into the next two days of strategic planning meetings.

Jenny Bolt, EVP of Operations and Technology who commissioned the event was thrilled with the approach used, praising the delegates for their enthusiasm and ability to work together to tackle the projects. As a result Franklin Templeton have asked that they are able to continue to build their relationship with Shelter Network and with Impact.

Read more about Impact's approach to High Performing Teams
Read more about Impact's approach to Community Action Learning