Following are a few representative cases of MVC's services to our clients. Protecting client confidentiality is a priority for MVC, and we do not automatically list our clients in a public portfolio. (For those clients who request or consent, the company name may be included.)
Academic Department, Institution of Higher Education {Active Contract}
Scenario: After substantive changes in management and related restructuring of a large world languages and literatures department, MVC was commissioned to provide advisories regarding past operational practices, current transitional changes, and relevant anticipated initiatives. In addition, the project includes highly detailed assessments and advisories for a specialized support center and the on-site implementation of recommended action plans. Read More
The department's unique benefits to the institution require a complex blend of organizational responsiveness, progressive development, marketing, and support for its faculty and their respective research and teaching missions. As this contract is active, the following descriptions illustrate objectives already reached as well as those still ongoing:
- Provided detailed overviews for the new administrator (Interim Chairperson) regarding the operations management segment of the prior departmental administration. Due to managerial changes, many practices had shifted, or documentation trails were vastly different. MVC provided insight into the past operations, allowing management to understand what procedures and protocols should be preserved, reinstated (if previously discontinued), or recrafted or phased out due to relevant departmental or institutional changes.
- Provided personnel structure documents, position descriptions, organizational charting, as well as descriptions of prior payroll processes and departmental budgeting protocols. This allowed the administration to quickly re-engage usage of some key documents/processes as well as locate and access various pools of information.
- Assessed the current operations of the Language Learning Laboratory & Resource Center (a specialized learning resource center specifically for the study and research of world languages and cultures). MVC recommended and implemented a number of changes and updates to revamp significant portions of the facility's operation. This introduced much more effective application of staff effort and improvements in the quality of overall services.
- MVC also assessed the facility's staffing to determine potential underutlization and customer service issues (potential problems expressed by the client). This included skills assessments and subsequent training sessions to hone and make consistent the execution of responsibilities, especially customer service. Position descriptions, with success factors clearly explained for employees, were deployed, and specific positions were restructured to serve specialized needs, utilizing apt human talent already employed in the facility. This introduced a much more balanced organizational structure and distribution of effort.
- Inspected all physical facilities under the purview of this resource center, and recommended and subsequently enacted action plans for continued reorganization, cleaning and proper maintenance of neglected areas and equipment, and instituted persistent protocols to assure detailed ongoing maintenance and upkeep. This included resurrection of previous documented protocols (originally developed by MVC talent) which allowed clear distribution of effort and employee buy-in via accountability and authority.
- Working in close concert with the overarching college (Arts & Sciences, in this case) and the IT division of the institution, MVC's considerable experience in professional Internet Presence initiatives will be utilized to revise the faciity's Web site. This initiative will allow: 1), much more robust marketing of the facility's services, in two important segments: for professional and academic staff, and for students of the institution, each with a tailored feel; and 2), more close alignment of the facility's online presence with its renewed vision and mission.
Outcomes summary: MVC's unique experience in this arena has allowed the client's needs to be identified and addressed quickly, with solid, proven strategies. Portions of the inevitable confusion and loss of historical data resulting from changes in key management was allayed, allowing the new administrator much greater insight and informed decision making. The specialized resource center is on a "fast-track" to reinvigorating services and re-establishing a reputation for sterling service to the institution. MVC is implementing the needed foundations for the following initiatives, addressed in a forthcoming Final Recommendations report: budgeting; pursuit of highly relevant pedagogical support strategies; maintaining an appropriate focus on operations management (including staff development); pursuit of continuing excellence in customer service; proper support for technology; and a vision which embraces broad institutional support and donor opportunities.
Close SectionInternational Cotton Concern
Scenario: En route to establishing a regional cotton handling facility, a multi-million dollar international fiber corporation asked MVC to devise and implement several infrastructural components of the regional office. The complex organizational structure required a carefully segmented approach since the client requested both recommendations and the execution of resulting action plans. Read More
The project resulted in the following outcomes:
- Analyzed the company's projected organizational structure, and determined that key executive positions (particularly their Special Projects Administrator) were top-heavy, would result in serious bottle-necks in the organization, and would likely later introduce contention in company governance. Workloads and areas of responsibility were redefined to balance the organization.
- Recommended and documented personnel structures, payroll processes, position descriptions, and organizational charting, and assisted with implementation phase.
- Established secure communications systems for company offices located regionally and in buying centers and brokerages in the U.S., Asia and Europe.
- Conducted property valuation and equipment amortization analyses on company acquisitions (purchases of existing facilities and, in one instance, the buyout of a defunct company which had suddenly abandoned its site, leaving behind all equipment, furnishings, and inventory). The rapid fiscal maneuvers created internal confusion. MVC conducted on-site assessments, prepared summary documentation, and ultimately uncovered a valuation error that, if allowed to populate fiscal reports, would have overstated the company's position.
- Researched and recommended required computer and specialty equipment for the company's central office, with MVC handling the purchasing and installation aspects on behalf of the client.
- Devised asset summaries and related presentation materials (significant portions of which were placed online, through a secure server).
- Redesigned the company's dated logo, and incorporated the new design into new initial brochures, business cards, other print piece materials, and throughout all traditional and electronic presentations.
- Designed and launched a new Web site for the company, a portion of which was available only through secure log-in processes.
Outcomes summary: The client's needs in this interesting case, which represented a broad swath of operations, required a very nimble, multimodal approach. Expanding under great organizational pressure, the company requested a variety of analyses, recommendations and services, from corporate oversight structures to technical assistance with public branding and presentation materials. MVC's deliverables were implemented on schedule and allowed company officials and administrators to not only focus their industry-related expertise where most needed, but to implement the expansion fluidly and quickly.
Close SectionHigh-volume Mortgage Company
Scenario: A rapidly growing mortgage company felt that their operation was inefficient, with workload pressures affecting both morale and effectiveness. Their vision of additional growth, and opening new branch offices, was stalling while the company struggled to handle a cumbersome workload. Read More
The project resulted in the following outcomes:
- Analyzed the company's organizational structure, which, at first blush, seemed largely adequate for the company's immediate operations. What became evident were ineffectively distributed responsibilities (with loan officers and assistants often doing the same types of work, or actually working redudantly when throughput was rapid, allowing confusion to enter the workflow process). Also determined was the contentious issue that top partners were either often absentee, or distanced themselves from core operations, and thus, by default, delegated their responsibilities to others (particularly to the one standing partner who was committed to daily involvement), which furthered the sense of overloading. Workflow processes were plotted, and workloads and areas of responsibility were redefined to balance the organization.
- During the redefinition of responsibilities, MVC uncovered several outdated processes which had remained persistent yet yielded no value to the company's operation. (A classic "We've always done that..." situation, it became apparent that the task side of some abandoned procedures remained, obviously consuming employee effort for virtually meaningless endeavors.) After eliminating the unneeded processes, staff time was freed for other responsibilities.
- During workflow analysis, it was discovered that the organization was relying on several manually generated lists of key information (amortization tables, market rates, intake requirements for various programs, et cetera). The sharing and upkeep of these lists and associated files created drag and potential for data corruption. MVC devised a customized centrally managed database, which was deployed through a new secure network.
- During an analysis of the company's marketing materials, it became evident that key items, representing the organization to its potential customer base and to its peer business partners, were being created in-house by clerical staff (resulting in a non-polished look and feel). It was also obvious that marketing was missing some key targets (including a hugely lucrative federally-sponsored program for veterans). MVC devised new professional materials with a strong brand identity, and assisted in a cohesive implementation with course-corrected marketing and public presence initiatives.
- Researched and recommended required computer equipment for the company, with MVC handling the purchasing and installation aspects on behalf of the client (including installation of the new network system noted above).
Outcomes summary: The streamlining that resulted in this case allowed the client to control its workflow, increase employee productivity (and morale), and eliminate areas of unnecessary redundancy, complexity and simple needlessness. Plans to hire several more support staff (to cope with what seemed an unwieldy workload) were stood down. Significant was restructuring of executive effort so that the COO (mentioned above as the one principal partner originally left administratively stranded) could allocate appropriate (and crucial) time for research to keep the company abreast of regulatory changes in the industry. The company's improved marketing image, due to vastly improved materials and approach, had a direct impact on securing more customers (and for whom, in the months following, the firm was able to offer better service). MVC beat all established deadlines in the project, and ultimately surpassed the expectations of company officials.
Close SectionProminent Mental Health Provider
Scenario: A growing mental health practice was in need of networking and computer support services, which were intimately tied to workflow processes dictated by the firm's billing and management software. In addition, the practice had a "home grown" Web site, provided by an employee's relative. Read More
The project resulted in the following outcomes:
- En route to resolving a problematic file server installation, MVC discovered that key requirements of the sophisticated management software were missed by the original installers, and likewise, various resources and settings were not configured on workstations. Working with the software manufacturer, the intricate requirements were resolved, and system functionality was restored.
- The firm's Web site was in need of renovating. Although earnest in its attempts (it did indeed establish an on-line presence for the company), the site did not cohere with professional site development practices, nor was it integrated with the practice's brand identity or marketing. A new site was designed and launched, with an emphasis on, and clear connection with, the human (and very personal) aspect of the firm's services.
- For a significant phase-in period, MVC provided on-going technical support for the firm's computer equipment, and handled the installation of new systems (including configuration of the practice's specialized software).
- After a new software version required significant changes in network and server hardware schema (moving the data platform from a proprietary model to SQL), MVC researched specifications for the replacing server device, and handled the subsequent set up, configuration, and software installation.
Outcomes summary: This technical project provided the client with problem-solving and restorative services when key systems were not functioning properly. The Web site design and launch was a significant step in that the new presence was unified not only with the firm's brand identity (already well established in print) but also in form with the business's overall mission.
Close SectionInternet Presence Solutions
Due to the prominent importance of a solid Internet Presence for practically any business (or other enterprise), MVC features a few samples of its Internet Presence projects in a separate page. Read More
