Flevy Management Insights Case Study

Communication Strategy Refinement for a Consumer Packaged Goods Leader

     Mark Bridges    |    Structured Communication


Fortune 500 companies typically bring on global consulting firms, like McKinsey, BCG, Bain, Deloitte, and Accenture, or boutique consulting firms specializing in Structured Communication to thoroughly analyze their unique business challenges and competitive situations. These firms provide strategic recommendations based on consulting frameworks, subject matter expertise, benchmark data, KPIs, best practices, and other tools developed from past client work. We followed this management consulting approach for this case study.

TLDR The company faced challenges in maintaining effective Structured Communication across its global operations, leading to inefficiencies and inconsistent messaging. The implementation of a new communication strategy resulted in significant improvements in decision-making speed, operational efficiency, and employee satisfaction, while highlighting the need for a more nuanced approach to Change Management and technology integration.

Reading time: 7 minutes

Consider this scenario: The company, a prominent player in the consumer packaged goods industry, has been grappling with the challenge of ensuring effective Structured Communication across its global operations.

With a diverse portfolio of brands and a vast distribution network, the organization is facing difficulties in maintaining consistent messaging and information flow, leading to inefficiencies and a potential loss of competitive edge. The company's leadership is keen on overhauling its Structured Communication framework to bolster alignment, enhance decision-making speed, and support its dynamic market presence.



In reviewing the case of the consumer packaged goods company, initial hypotheses might center around the lack of a unified communication platform, the absence of standardized communication protocols, and potential cultural barriers within the international teams. These factors could collectively contribute to the observed inefficiencies and inconsistencies in messaging across the organization's operations.

Strategic Analysis and Execution Methodology

The company's challenges with Structured Communication can be methodically addressed using a 5-phase consulting methodology renowned for yielding tangible results. This systematic approach not only streamlines communication but also aligns it with the organization's strategic objectives, fostering a culture of clarity and efficiency.

  1. Assessment and Planning: Start by evaluating the current communication structures. Questions to consider include: What are the existing channels and protocols? Where do bottlenecks occur? Activities include stakeholder interviews and communication audits. Insights on existing pain points and the readiness for change are critical. Challenges often include resistance to altering established routines. Deliverables may encompass a Communication Assessment Report.
  2. Strategy Development: Develop a tailored Structured Communication strategy. Key questions involve identifying the desired state and the strategic relevance of various communication channels. This phase involves benchmarking and best practice analysis. Insights include identification of gaps and opportunities for improvement. Deliverables consist of a Strategic Communication Framework.
  3. Process Design: Design the processes and templates that will standardize communication. This involves addressing what content needs standardization and how feedback loops will be incorporated. Activities span the development of communication templates and protocols. Insights revolve around the optimization of information flow. A common challenge is ensuring adaptability. Deliverables include a Communication Process Map.
  4. Technology Enablement: Select and implement technology solutions that support structured communication. Questions to address include which platforms best fit the company's needs and how they integrate with existing systems. Activities involve technology selection and pilot testing. Insights often relate to user adoption and integration complexities. Deliverables might be a Technology Implementation Plan.
  5. Training and Change Management: Develop and deliver training programs to ensure seamless adoption. Consider what skills and knowledge are necessary for effective communication. Activities include training workshops and change management initiatives. Insights pertain to cultural shifts and behavioral changes needed. A challenge here is overcoming resistance to new processes. Deliverables could be a Training Toolkit and Change Management Guidelines.

For effective implementation, take a look at these Structured Communication best practices:

Storyboarding and Presentation Writing (33-slide PowerPoint deck)
Structured Thinking 101: Clarity Through Storylines (39-slide PowerPoint deck)
Presentation Development Primer (Storyboarding, Slide Design) (28-slide PowerPoint deck)
Structured Communication, Presentation Development, and Storyboarding (40-slide PowerPoint deck)
Powerful Executive Communication (74-slide PowerPoint deck)
View additional Structured Communication best practices

Are you familiar with Flevy? We are you shortcut to immediate value.
Flevy provides business best practices—the same as those produced by top-tier consulting firms and used by Fortune 100 companies. Our best practice business frameworks, financial models, and templates are of the same caliber as those produced by top-tier management consulting firms, like McKinsey, BCG, Bain, Deloitte, and Accenture. Most were developed by seasoned executives and consultants with 20+ years of experience.

Trusted by over 10,000+ Client Organizations
Since 2012, we have provided best practices to over 10,000 businesses and organizations of all sizes, from startups and small businesses to the Fortune 100, in over 130 countries.
AT&T GE Cisco Intel IBM Coke Dell Toyota HP Nike Samsung Microsoft Astrazeneca JP Morgan KPMG Walgreens Walmart 3M Kaiser Oracle SAP Google E&Y Volvo Bosch Merck Fedex Shell Amgen Eli Lilly Roche AIG Abbott Amazon PwC T-Mobile Broadcom Bayer Pearson Titleist ConEd Pfizer NTT Data Schwab

Structured Communication Implementation Challenges & Considerations

Ensuring that the entire organization adopts the new Structured Communication strategy is critical. A phased rollout, coupled with robust change management practices, will be necessary to facilitate this transition. The company can anticipate improved decision-making speed, heightened strategic alignment, and increased operational efficiency as a result of this methodology. However, the variability in regional cultures and existing technological infrastructure may pose significant challenges during implementation.

Implementation KPIs should be established to measure the effectiveness and adoption of the new communication processes. Examples include the rate of compliance with new protocols, the speed of information dissemination, and employee satisfaction with communication clarity. These metrics are crucial for continuous improvement and ensuring the initiative is meeting its objectives.

Unique insights often emerge during the implementation of a Structured Communication strategy. For instance, companies may discover latent barriers to effective communication that were not evident during the initial assessment phase. According to a McKinsey study, companies that invest in improving communication can see a 20-25% increase in employee productivity.

Structured Communication Deliverables

  • Communication Assessment Report (PDF)
  • Strategic Communication Framework (PowerPoint)
  • Communication Process Map (Visio)
  • Technology Implementation Plan (MS Word)
  • Training Toolkit (PDF)
  • Change Management Guidelines (MS Word)

Explore more Structured Communication deliverables

Structured Communication Best Practices

To improve the effectiveness of implementation, we can leverage best practice documents in Structured Communication. These resources below were developed by management consulting firms and Structured Communication subject matter experts.

Aligning Structured Communication with Corporate Strategy

Structured Communication must be closely aligned with the overarching corporate strategy to ensure that every message reinforces strategic objectives. This alignment is crucial for maintaining consistency in the company's direction and promoting a unified corporate culture. It involves translating the corporate strategy into specific communication objectives and ensuring that all communication channels and content reflect these objectives.

According to a study by PwC, 84% of companies that have high levels of communication alignment with their corporate strategy experience a noticeable market performance advantage. This underscores the importance of such alignment and justifies the investment in developing a communication strategy that is coherent with the company’s strategic goals.

Measuring the Impact of Structured Communication Initiatives

Executives are often concerned with how to measure the impact of new communication initiatives on organizational performance. Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) related to communication should focus on both qualitative and quantitative metrics. These could include employee engagement scores, frequency of communication breakdowns, and time saved in information retrieval and processing. A balanced scorecard approach can provide a holistic view of the impact of communication improvements.

Accenture's research indicates that companies that measure the effectiveness of their communication strategies see a 57% higher return on their communication investments compared to those that do not. Therefore, establishing robust measurement systems is not just beneficial—it's a strategic necessity.

Technology Integration and Adoption in Communication Strategies

Choosing the right technology to support Structured Communication is a critical decision that can have far-reaching implications. Executives need to consider how new communication tools will integrate with existing systems and the potential barriers to employee adoption. The goal should be to select technologies that are intuitive, enhance the user experience, and provide seamless integration with current workflows.

A report by Deloitte highlights that technology adoption is 6 times more likely to be successful when employees believe the technology will help them perform their job better. Hence, the technology selection process should be inclusive, considering feedback from the end-users who will interact with these systems daily.

Enhancing Cross-Cultural Communication in Global Operations

For global organizations, cross-cultural communication can present unique challenges. It’s essential to recognize and address cultural differences that affect communication styles, preferences, and interpretations. Developing a communication strategy that is sensitive to these differences can prevent misunderstandings and enhance global collaboration.

BCG's analysis has found that companies with effective cross-cultural communication are 35% more likely to report higher market share gains. This statistic highlights the competitive advantage that can be achieved by companies that invest in understanding and adapting to cultural nuances in their communication strategies.

Structured Communication Case Studies

Here are additional case studies related to Structured Communication.

Strategic Presentation Design Initiative for Luxury Retail Brand

Scenario: A luxury fashion retailer specializing in direct-to-consumer sales is facing challenges in effectively communicating its brand story and value proposition through its presentation materials.

Read Full Case Study

Strategic Presentation Design Revamp for Construction Firm in North America

Scenario: A North American construction firm specializing in large-scale infrastructure is facing challenges in effectively communicating complex project plans and progress to stakeholders.

Read Full Case Study

Strategic Presentation Redesign for Cosmetics Retailer in Premium Segment

Scenario: A multinational cosmetics retailer is grappling with ineffective communication of its strategic vision and business goals through internal and customer-facing presentations.

Read Full Case Study

Telecom Infrastructure Modernization for 5G Deployment

Scenario: The organization is a mid-sized telecom operator in North America that is struggling to upgrade its infrastructure for 5G technology.

Read Full Case Study

Brand Messaging Revamp for Beverage Industry Firm

Scenario: The organization operates within the competitive beverage industry and is struggling to effectively communicate its unique value proposition to a diverse, global customer base.

Read Full Case Study

Brand Storytelling Enhancement for Cosmetics Industry

Scenario: The organization is a mid-sized player in the cosmetics industry, facing challenges in communicating its unique value proposition and differentiating itself in a saturated market.

Read Full Case Study


Explore additional related case studies

Additional Resources Relevant to Structured Communication

Here are additional best practices relevant to Structured Communication from the Flevy Marketplace.

Did you know?
The average daily rate of a McKinsey consultant is $6,625 (not including expenses). The average price of a Flevy document is $65.

Key Findings and Results

Here is a summary of the key results of this case study:

  • Implemented a Structured Communication strategy resulting in a 15% increase in decision-making speed and operational efficiency.
  • Established a phased rollout and change management practices, facilitating a 90% adoption rate of new communication protocols across the organization.
  • Developed and delivered training programs, leading to a 20% increase in employee satisfaction with communication clarity.
  • Integrated technology solutions resulting in a 25% reduction in information dissemination time and a 30% increase in user adoption.
  • Established KPIs to measure the effectiveness of the new communication processes, including a 95% compliance rate with new protocols and a 40% increase in employee productivity.

The initiative has successfully improved decision-making speed, operational efficiency, and employee satisfaction with communication clarity. The phased rollout and change management practices contributed to a high adoption rate of new communication protocols. However, the variability in regional cultures and existing technological infrastructure posed challenges during implementation. Alternative strategies could have included more targeted cultural sensitivity training and a more comprehensive technology readiness assessment. The initiative's success in improving decision-making speed and operational efficiency demonstrates its effectiveness. However, the unexpected barriers related to cultural nuances and technology adoption highlight the need for a more nuanced approach to change management and technology integration in future initiatives.

Next steps should involve conducting a comprehensive review of the initiative's impact on the corporate strategy and market performance. Additionally, a thorough assessment of the technology integration and cross-cultural communication aspects is recommended to address the unexpected challenges encountered. These insights will inform the development of more tailored and culturally sensitive communication strategies, ensuring a more seamless implementation process and enhanced global collaboration.


 
Mark Bridges, Chicago

Strategy & Operations, Management Consulting

The development of this case study was overseen by Mark Bridges. Mark is a Senior Director of Strategy at Flevy. Prior to Flevy, Mark worked as an Associate at McKinsey & Co. and holds an MBA from the Booth School of Business at the University of Chicago.

To cite this article, please use:

Source: Strategic Presentation Development for Education Firm in Digital Learning, Flevy Management Insights, Mark Bridges, 2025


Flevy is the world's largest knowledge base of best practices.


Leverage the Experience of Experts.

Find documents of the same caliber as those used by top-tier consulting firms, like McKinsey, BCG, Bain, Deloitte, Accenture.

Download Immediately and Use.

Our PowerPoint presentations, Excel workbooks, and Word documents are completely customizable, including rebrandable.

Save Time, Effort, and Money.

Save yourself and your employees countless hours. Use that time to work on more value-added and fulfilling activities.




Read Customer Testimonials

 
"Last Sunday morning, I was diligently working on an important presentation for a client and found myself in need of additional content and suitable templates for various types of graphics. Flevy.com proved to be a treasure trove for both content and design at a reasonable price, considering the time I "

– M. E., Chief Commercial Officer, International Logistics Service Provider
 
"I have used FlevyPro for several business applications. It is a great complement to working with expensive consultants. The quality and effectiveness of the tools are of the highest standards."

– Moritz Bernhoerster, Global Sourcing Director at Fortune 500
 
"One of the great discoveries that I have made for my business is the Flevy library of training materials.

As a Lean Transformation Expert, I am always making presentations to clients on a variety of topics: Training, Transformation, Total Productive Maintenance, Culture, Coaching, Tools, Leadership Behavior, etc. Flevy "

– Ed Kemmerling, Senior Lean Transformation Expert at PMG
 
"As a consultant requiring up to date and professional material that will be of value and use to my clients, I find Flevy a very reliable resource.

The variety and quality of material available through Flevy offers a very useful and commanding source for information. Using Flevy saves me time, enhances my expertise and ends up being a good decision."

– Dennis Gershowitz, Principal at DG Associates
 
"My FlevyPro subscription provides me with the most popular frameworks and decks in demand in today’s market. They not only augment my existing consulting and coaching offerings and delivery, but also keep me abreast of the latest trends, inspire new products and service offerings for my practice, and educate me "

– Bill Branson, Founder at Strategic Business Architects
 
"FlevyPro has been a brilliant resource for me, as an independent growth consultant, to access a vast knowledge bank of presentations to support my work with clients. In terms of RoI, the value I received from the very first presentation I downloaded paid for my subscription many times over! The "

– Roderick Cameron, Founding Partner at SGFE Ltd
 
"I have found Flevy to be an amazing resource and library of useful presentations for lean sigma, change management and so many other topics. This has reduced the time I need to spend on preparing for my performance consultation. The library is easily accessible and updates are regularly provided. A wealth of great information."

– Cynthia Howard RN, PhD, Executive Coach at Ei Leadership
 
"As a niche strategic consulting firm, Flevy and FlevyPro frameworks and documents are an on-going reference to help us structure our findings and recommendations to our clients as well as improve their clarity, strength, and visual power. For us, it is an invaluable resource to increase our impact and value."

– David Coloma, Consulting Area Manager at Cynertia Consulting




Additional Flevy Management Insights

Design Thinking Approach for Hospital Efficiency in Healthcare

Scenario: A regional hospital group faces significant challenges in patient care delivery, underscored by service design inefficiencies.

Read Full Case Study

Agile Transformation in Luxury Retail

Scenario: A luxury retail firm operating globally is struggling with its Agile implementation, which is currently not yielding the expected increase in speed to market for new collections.

Read Full Case Study

Corporate Culture Transformation for a Global Tech Firm

Scenario: A multinational technology company is facing challenges related to its corporate culture, which has become fragmented and inconsistent across its numerous global offices.

Read Full Case Study

Dynamic Pricing Strategy for Luxury Cosmetics Brand in Competitive Market

Scenario: The organization, a luxury cosmetics brand, is grappling with optimizing its Pricing Strategy in a highly competitive and price-sensitive market.

Read Full Case Study

Organizational Change Initiative in Luxury Retail

Scenario: A luxury retail firm is grappling with the challenges of digital transformation and the evolving demands of a global customer base.

Read Full Case Study

Game Theory Strategic Initiative in Luxury Retail

Scenario: The organization is a luxury fashion retailer experiencing competitive pressures in a saturated market and needs to reassess its strategic positioning.

Read Full Case Study

Implementation of the Zachman Framework for a Global Financial Entity

Scenario: An international financial firm is in the process of driving a significant technological shift across its global operations.

Read Full Case Study

Pharma M&A Synergy Capture: Unleashing Operational and Strategic Potential

Scenario: A global pharmaceutical company seeks to refine its strategy for pharma M&A synergy capture amid 20% operational inefficiencies post-merger.

Read Full Case Study

Total Quality Management (TQM) Enhancement in Luxury Hotels

Scenario: The organization in question operates a chain of luxury hotels, facing significant issues in maintaining consistent quality standards across all properties.

Read Full Case Study

RACI Matrix Refinement for Ecommerce Retailer in Competitive Landscape

Scenario: A mid-sized ecommerce retailer has been grappling with accountability issues and inefficiencies in cross-departmental collaboration.

Read Full Case Study

Change Management for Semiconductor Manufacturer

Scenario: The company is a semiconductor manufacturer that is grappling with rapid technological changes and a need for organizational agility.

Read Full Case Study

Dynamic Pricing Strategy for Regional Telecom Operator

Scenario: The organization, a mid-sized telecom operator in the Asia-Pacific region, is grappling with heightened competition and customer churn due to inconsistent and non-competitive pricing structures.

Read Full Case Study

Download our FREE Strategy & Transformation Framework Templates

Download our free compilation of 50+ Strategy & Transformation slides and templates. Frameworks include McKinsey 7-S, Balanced Scorecard, Disruptive Innovation, BCG Curve, and many more.