Gagen MacDonald

Client Case Study

Led global functional transformations within corporate communications to help achieve business results

Challenge:

Senior leaders of corporate communications functions were asked to adapt their organizations to drive business performance, improve leadership communication, support transformation and behavior change and create sustainable success. Corporate communications organizations are continuing to evolve from the changing demands of external factors, shifts in strategy and the expectations of new leaders and stakeholders.

Actions and Results:

  • Led the organization design team for United Airlines’ Corporate and Government Affairs function, successfully growing the department to meet the needs of their ongoing business transformation. Managed the entire process, which included designing the organizational blueprint, restructuring individual departments, preparing more than 50 new job descriptions, partnering with HR to implement the hiring process and staffing new jobs to ensure skills and competencies were transferred to new hires.
  • Conducted an audit of the internal communications function for Payless ShoeSource that led to recommendations on how to restructure the function so that it moved from simply reporting on the business to building the communications capability required to execute a business transformation.
  • Provided strategic counsel for a global brand leader in the beverage industry throughout the restructuring of its internal communications function. Provided best-in-class practices, revised job descriptions and reviewed competency profiles for each internal communications position. Work helped the function embed a new strategic planning process and build strategic communications competencies throughout the team.
  • Provided strategic counsel for a global brand leader in the personal care products industry to develop and expand the corporate internal communications function. Support led to the funding of a new department with a plan to grow more than 100 percent in first three years.