In 1999 Texaco created a high-profile organisation charged with identifying and investing in new "clean" energy technologies, i.e. alternative technologies not dependant upon fossil-based fuels. This new group was remitted to investigate new potential "alternative technologies" via two complimentary strategies:

• Develop internally new "alternative technologies"
• Work with external partners, via Strategic Investments, Joint Ventures etc., in order to assess viable new "alternative technological" options.

At a very early stage in TESI's formation it's senior management identified that if the organisation were going to be successful in delivering it's very challenging remit, it would need to perform and function in ways akin to a "start-up" organisation.

Project Objectives

Next Step's initial brief / challenge was to supply on-going consultancy and development support that would ensure the organisations short-term "Survivability" and long-term "Sustainability".

Following a rigorous diagnostic phase Next Step identified a number of "organisational development needs" appropriate to facilitate the organisations very high success aspirations.

Working closely with the client a detailed "organisational development plan" was conceived consisting of a series of planned and complementary "interventions", i.e.

• Consultancy Support - workplace support - one-to-one coaching etc.
• Development - structured team workshops etc.

The mutually developed plan was scoped to achieve success against the following key objectives :-

• To facilitate the development of a sustainable organisational culture which would be of an "entrepreneurial" nature
• To introduce processes - formal and informal - which would "add-value" and improve individual and team efficiency and effectiveness.
• To design the necessary organisational architecture required to deliver the business goals, encourage accountability and foster dynamic, flexible high-quality teamwork.
• To create a "team-based" working environment which encouraged high team member participation and the consistent demonstration of high quality teamwork skills.
• To equip the "Leadership Team" with high-quality leadership skills in order to provide team members with "inspirational leadership"
• To coach senior management, on a "one-to-one" basis, in order to develop their skills and enhance their personal contribution.
• To ensure the organisation possessed the skills and appreciation to appraise "cultural fit" in it's ventures with external organisations - Strategic Alliance or Joint Venture partners.

Texaco Energy Systems Inc. has very successfully delivered and exceeded its business goals and established a very high-level of organisational credibility within the Texaco corporation. TESI is now seen as the voice of the corporation regarding new "non-fossil fuel" based energy technologies.

Next Step have contributed significantly in introducing and embedding into the organisation a wide-range of

protocols, processes, attitudes, behaviours & skills,

which have manifested in significant organisational and individual team member development and success.

The organisation now has a very distinctive culture, generally regarded as being :-

• Empowered and inclusive
• Open, honest and supportive
• Transparent
• Progressive - willing to try new things
• Encouraging of risk-taking
• Challenging - individuals prepared to challenge and be challenged
• Team-based - lack of "feifdoms" or "turfism"
• Non-beauracratic - no unnecessary / unhealthy routines or processes
• Approachable & consultative Leadership
• AND - Fun to work in!