Approach

Engagement approach

Venturehaus doesn’t approach any client or specific issue with a prescriptive solution. We first ensure that we understand the vision of our client and then the detail of the challenges that they face. Further, we also ensure we have a full understanding of whatever current initiatives they have and what, if any, methodologies or tools they use.

The Venturehaus approach is simple: we partner with clients to deliver the most practical approach that achieves a shared goal of operational excellence. We measure success by the tangible benefits achieved in areas such as productivity and those service improvements that are most meaningful to customers. The methodologies and tools we use are tailored first to the sector and then to our clients’ specific needs. We emphasize at every point the requirement to have all stakeholders aligned and engaged in change, and provide specific training to ensure that change leaders have the awareness and tools to drive the engagement of all levels of staff in these efforts. In short, we ensure that our change management efforts are successful by delivering to clients the best advisory services and training in both technical and change leadership skills.

The most critical factor in ensuring buy-in is the manner in which the programme and projects are led. Implementing business improvement is not suited to the typical ‘consulting’ approach of clever people sat behind closed doors analysing data and presenting slides. Instead, what is required is deep expertise which can only have been obtained through the experience of actually managing and improving similar businesses personally.

Venturehaus is uniquely positioned to understand and address the challenges of gaining and maintaining executive commitment and sponsorship, as the company is the leading operational improvement specialist in Financial Services. Venturehaus was founded and is managed by two former Citigroup executives, and as such is able to bring first-hand experience to the advice we offer our clients. Having sponsored business improvement programmes ourselves, we have a deep understanding of the critical success factors that will determine the outcome of such a programme and the commitment it will receive from executive sponsors.

An approach that works in Financial Services and Transactional Businesses

The Venturehaus approach to Operational Excellence is designed specifically for Financial Services. Our methodology has a greater emphasis on Lean techniques, Change Management, Project Management and Operational Implementation than on statistical analysis and the technical aspects of Six Sigma more normally associated with Manufacturing. Venturehaus also provides a complete service for the deployment and ongoing management of Lean and Six Sigma. We recommend that our clients consider a selective approach to the implementation of these methodologies, thereby ensuring maximum value and return on their investment.

A methodology and approach designed specifically for Financial Services

Venturehaus’ methodology, “Design for Operational Excellence” (DFOE™), has been designed especially for Process and Service Improvement in Financial Services businesses. Whilst it follows the traditional Six Sigma DMAIC cycle, it places greater emphasis on Voice of the Customer, Lean Principles, Process Mapping, Operational Improvement, Implementation and the “soft” skills, such as Change Management and Facilitation, required to deal with the particular issues found in services businesses. It gives less emphasis to the advanced statistics and manufacturing-biased tools found in most conventional Six Sigma courses, since these rarely, if ever, have relevance to Financial Services businesses.

Our approach centres on gaining a deep understanding of the specific environment within which we are operating. We have found that it is normally necessary to conduct a thorough process and metrics "Baselining" exercise during the initial phase.

Our previous experience of delivering successful Lean Six Sigma programmes within the Financial Services sector enables us to prepare Green and Black Belts and other improvement project team members better for the challenges they are likely to face, such as:

Lack of Process documentation and transparency
Poor Supplier inputs and data quality
Suppliers who are also Customers
Lack of accurate or even available Process metrics
Non-Normal Data

Venturehaus has drawn on experience from previous successful deployments and has incorporated the lessons learnt during these programmes into our own methodology and training materials. Our model has been designed to provide the best tools and techniques for the environment in which they are deployed.

A training curriculum and materials developed specifically for Services businesses

Our broad-based training curriculum encompasses Lean, Six Sigma, Change Management and Leadership training as well as more advanced subject matter for those who will become Operational Excellence or Business Improvement professionals.

The core curriculum has been designed specifically for Financial Services businesses, and can therefore be readily rolled out to students at various levels within this sector. The modular format of the curriculum also enables customisation with ease, allowing clients to select only those elements which are relevant to their business situation or which are required at a particular point in their Operational Excellence deployment.

Getting it right the first time

Deploying Operational Excellence successfully in a cost-effective manner is challenging. Many companies lose focus and fail to achieve the desired financial gains or a satisfactory return on investment. The Venturehaus approach is driven by clear operational strategy and a focus on financial returns from every project. We believe in a lean, ambitious and relevant deployment of Operational Excellence - ensuring the client gets it right the first time, every time.




	"Theory is great, however the main benefit is that we have a step-by-step process that we can follow, that gives us a real measure, so we can ascertain where we are and where we need to be." Leading worldwide insurance group

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