GOVERNMENT AND NOT-FOR-PROFIT
Like commercial businesses, government and not-for-profit organisations face demands for more and better services. But political constraints, non-profit objectives, and the pressure of public accountability often demand different approaches to strategic change. Mendhurst has practical experience, internationally and within New Zealand, in making strategic change successful for organisations with non-commercial goals. We recognise special issues and social objectives without compromising business delivery or effective management.
Mendhurst’s government and not-for-profit clients include central agencies, service delivery organisations and trust bodies. The descriptions below outline a range of our projects:
Developed a national code of governance and management practice for gaming machine trusts facing public and legislative controversy. Worked with the newly formed Charity Gaming Association to assure internal governance and management in individual member trusts and improve the sector’s external reputation.
Outcome: integrity and accountability practically defined, value-adding differentiation achieved by members.
Designed a strategic planning framework for a new statutory trust created to progressively transfer $400m of commercial assets to individual tribal organisations while also fulfilling non-commercial functions. Advised on governance practices to maintain a commercial focus and strategic consistency over time.
Outcome: legislative intent converted into practical goals, timeframes and accountabilities
Provided strategic change planning and wide-ranging technical advice and support for a medical registration board’s move to autonomous governance and operations
Outcome: clear understanding of future roles, integrated path to independent operations, Chief Executive recruitment, information system modernisation
Reviewed current mechanisms and developed improvement opportunities for strategic management and central agency oversight of New Zealand's national government
Outcome: problem analysis, specific change ideas, practical and speedy implementation plan
Project-managed first-time issue of photographic driving licences: specification and implementation of imaging technology and software, planning for nationwide issue by commercial agents, hand-over of processes
Outcome: hardware, software, infrastructure & logistics ready for on-time nationwide delivery
Reviewed internal audit, corporate assurance and risk management functions for a large government ministry responsible for policy and service delivery in key export sectors
Outcome: strategic reassessment, five-year plan for new corporate assurance and risk function, focused recruitment process
Externally supported long-term transformation of a government service agency: scoping study, project management and quality assurance processes, review of operational support services, service costing review, change implementation advice
Outcome: clear strategy, process re-engineering, resource re-allocation, effective change projects
Planned and implemented training framework and strategy for civilian staff in police operations: conducted needs assessment, developed core training modules, planned and implemented delivery and evaluation
Outcome: integrated framework to meet unique needs and deliver improved morale, teamwork and service
Developed response plan for senior armed forces managers facing rationalisation and cost pressures
Outcome: worldwide training programme to improve service focus, resource sharing and delivery skills
Reviewed strategic alignment and management practices in government management to assess prospects for change and identify improvement directions
Outcome: reports designed for a general audience outlining specific change needs and initiatives
Other services performed for a range of clients include:
Advice to government and not-for-profit boards on their strategic and governance roles in overseeing change
Outcome: better role understanding, practical frameworks and techniques, increased capability to maximise change benefits
Planned and managed complex multinational information technology projects with multiple clients, stakeholders, and suppliers
Outcome: project concepts developed and applied, risks understood and managed, more effective relationships, greater synergy
Customized training workshops for directors of state-owned enterprises and regulatory boards to apply business strategy and governance to specific government ownership issues and situations
Outcome: experience in resolving typical dilemmas, improved role understanding
Expert opinions for official inquiries into operational and management failure
Outcome: analytical review of evidence, independent evaluation reports
Design of planning, budgeting and costing systems to improve strategic relevance and create effective management incentives
Outcome: objectives articulated, new systems designed, implementation planned
Design and delivery of customised recruitment and selection processes
Outcome: objective view, procedural soundness, simple documentation, robust audit trail
Confidential referees can be made available to prospective clients.
