Visio shapes a new strategy with a team of employees
Royal Dutch Visio, a center of expertise and market leader in care and education for blind and visually impaired people, asked Gupta to support them in developing a new strategic direction. Instead of following the standard consultancy process, Visio opted for an approach where a team of their employees helped shape the new strategy.
Under the guidance of Gupta consultants, a strategy team of eight employees with different skills, backgrounds and areas of expertise got to work developing three possible strategic directions. The team worked together intensively twice a week for three months.
Focusing on the target audience
Visio’s target audience, people with visual impairments, was the starting point for the team’s research. What are their defining characteristics? What are their needs? And to what extent are those needs being addressed by Visio’s current offering? The team completed qualitative and quantitative analyses, spoke to colleagues within the organization, and developed personas to represent their target audience. They also identified external trends, for example by talking to customers, referring doctors and partner organizations. As their final product, the team delivered three strategic directions which offered different approaches to fulling the company’s mission to “Make participation possible for people with visual impairments”.
Broadly supported strategic decision
When making their decision about the strategic direction, Visio didn’t leave anything to chance – they involved customers, colleagues, advisory bodies and partners to help them make the best possible choice. To enable meaningful discussions with all these parties, Gupta produced a variety of communication materials, including a strategy newsletter, strategy video and strategy guide. And during a number of strategy evenings, more than 400 employees came together to think about the future of Visio. As a result, the Board of Directors had all the necessary input to make the best decision about Visio’s future for their customers, employees and partners.