CON EDISON/UNION • NEW YORK, NY
DCG Brings Culture Change in a Union Environment, and Morale Soars. Frontline Workers Raise Quality and Reduce Operating Expenses by $10M
Con Edison, New York utility, was in the midst of tumultuous change and tremendous cost pressures in a union environment. Con Ed sought culture change, process improvement and innovation that would be led by the frontline
CHALLENGES
- Con Edison was in the process of selling most of its electric power plants to independent deregulated owners
- The remaining “pipes and wires” company continued to be highly regulated.
- Profitability was extremely challenging
- There was tremendous pressure on containing costs and driving continuous business process improvement
- An “Us-Vs-Them” relationship between rank and file union members and management stifled innovation
SIGNATURE SOLUTIONS
- Con Edison selected Dottino Consulting Group and their signature workshops, Leadership Frameworks™ and Grass Roots Innovation™(GRI™)
- Leadership Frameworks™ provided middle managers and executives the tools to manage change, open up communication and lead an innovative frontline workforce
- DCG led 150 self-directed work teams, 635 frontline workers, through GRI™ Workshops
- GRI™ teams identified and analyzed work problems and implemented solutions
- DCG facilitated managers and workers to open communication and develop trust
- DCG mentored managers and teams
RESULTS
- Con Edison saved $10 million in net savings over the course of the program
- A new trust developed between rank and file frontline workers and their managers
- Executives and managers learned a new way to listen and interact with workers
- Frontline workers were allowed to implement their own innovations and impact work processes, impacting the bottom line
- Innovation became self-sustaining, as frontline workers felt trusted and empowered. They became enthusiastic about making and implementing change in their work and in their company
- The relationship between managers and workers brought alignment to company goals