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Introduction - consulting for unions
Swedish unions have a contractual right to use an external consultant to help them evaluate situations of significant importance for the employees. The basic case is when a company is threatened with closure or massive layoffs. The other case focuses on help in analyzing factors that may be decisive for the future of the company, before an immediate crisis becomes apparent. In both cases my role is quite often to initiate or support ideas and plans for solving the situation at hand in a new constructive way that is beneficial for both the company and the employees.
The relation between management and unions in Sweden
Sweden has a long tradition of good relations between management and the unions. The central union organizations usually have a clear political agenda, whereas the local unions are genuinely interested in the success of their company, factory or place of work.
There is ample evidence to support the view, that local unions are an integral and important driver in the constant quest for continued success. This mutual learning process takes time to develop, but will prove to be quite rewarding for all parties.
This is what I do when retained by the unions
Before my real work starts - I often assist in the formulation of the assignment, the unions and local management have reached an agreement about the scope of my consulting assignment, the time and cost factors (my fee is always paid by the company), secrecy issues and the general design of my report, possible other presentations and dialogue form with the unions and management during the process.
It is not unusual that some changes are made in the scope as matters unfold. These changes are always discussed with the unions and management.
My work is based on a professional (to the best of my ability) analysis of the problems and the situation.
My goal is to have an open as possible discussion without bringing harm to individual persons or the company. You will however get some fairly straight views.
A few words about my background
I have an M Sc in Business Administration and almost finished my Phd-studies before entering the world of management consulting. I work for both management and unions. That is a somewhat unique competence, as is my experience in presenting fairly complex situations in a user-friendly multilingual web format - a Web report. This is of course not published on the Internet. PowerPoint presentations have their limits.
In several cases my work for the unions have, with the acceptance of the unions, been accompanied by assignments for management. My consulting for management has a focus on strategy, innovations, and effects of the Internet revolution. The latter subject has a background in a company I have founded - IDstories.se - an innovative service provider in the mobile information space.
Possible results of my work for the unions
It is quite understandable if non Swedish executives have some questions and doubts concerning a management consultant working for the unions. I can assure you, that in an absolute majority of all cases a mutually fruitful relation has been developed.
Part of my assignment is always pedagogic. It is important to present key factors and change of circumstances in a coherent and easily understandable way. I think that showing respect for people and their efforts is based on presenting the whole Story.
Sometimes management thinks, that my role indirectly is to
explain some hard facts to the unions. An openness for a mutual learning process is a helpful attitude.
Retaining a management consultant to support the unions can sometimes be perceived as expensive and to a non Swedish executive as just an extra cost. I am well aware of this perspective and I am fortunate to be able to say that I - together with the unions - in many cases have been able to add value far exceeding the costs involved.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.
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