Achieving cultural change through organisational development

Organisational development or OD is the theory and practice of bringing planned change to organisations. It is concerned with improving organisational effectiveness, developing new approaches to organisational problems and promoting the well-being and contribution of organisational members. OD practitioners use a range of interventions or techniques drawing on behavioural science;  the choice of interventions is determined by the process of diagnosis and feedback/discussion with the client organisation.

These changes are usually designed to address specific organisational problems or to help an organisation prepare for the future, and large scale OD programmes are often commissioned when an organisation is facing or has undergone radical change. For example, Central undertakes OD work with new LSVTs (large scale voluntary stock transfer Housing Associations) and ALMOs (Arms Length Management Organisations) and Group structures. Our Birmingham base means we have particular knowledge of the Midlands region where we have built successful working relationships with all the stock transfer organisations.

Types of interventions

Management development

The capacity of managers to lead and support their staff through change makes a vital contribution to managing the change process effectively and achieving sustained improvements. Central has an established track record of management development initiatives, from core skills development for first line and middle managers to work with Executive Teams and Executive Coaching. Examples include:

• An action learning based management development programme to support a change in culture for St Basil's, the second largest specialist provider of housing and support for homeless young people
• A development programme to support the introduction of a new third tier of management for Family Housing Association (Birmingham), including small group work and individual coaching 
• Leadership development for the top team of Solihull Community Housing (ALMO).

Governance and board development

Central has substantial experience of facilitating shadow and new LSVT and ALMO Boards, as well as those of traditional Housing Associations.