AUXILIARY ENTERPRISES
Wheels
 
Not long ago, Auxiliary Enterprises (AE) was hierarchal in structure and maintained a basic or normal chain of command. This is by no means to say that this design was inadequate, because, to the contrary, it was very successful. The departments executed very efficiently and prosperously. Since this time, AE has changed its goals, missions, visions, pledges and structures. We are striving for "people involvement", continuous improvement, and principle-centered leadership.

We promoted flatter organizations by going to the popular "FOUR LEVELS" of leadership structure. While "FOUR LEVELS" assisted in eliminating tiers, it also furnished us with an opportunity to intensify our goals, visions and missions. Without any mandate, we inspired all departments to rid themselves of the levels of management and influence "front-line" involvement. Through attrition and retirement, AE perceived they had met this goal. But, we shortly realized we must flatten our organization at least one more level. To do this, we decided to approach this endeavor differently than the first time.

Using our Vision to guide us, we solicited each department to bring its ideas and bond on a common composition that spirited team play and an "all" interest. Ideas were abundant, but one that came from the spouse of one of our team players was decided as the best. The body is a wheel and the components are:
 

Hub - Usually the administrative team

Spokes - processes of the department and team owners

Rim - the customers (Colleagues/Partners)
 

 
The engine or driving force of the wheel is a TEAM (orTEAMS). Each team has a leader (each team usually has a different leader) and partners to maintain a process within its area. While this may have seemed "cosmetic" to some, it actually provided recognition of those partners who previously were very seldom recognized. AE is now structured around "WHEELS IN MOTION..."
  • We never stop!
  • We are always hitting the pavement!
  • We are revolutionized!
  • If we have a blowout, we change wheels!
  • We keep turning - where do we want to go?
Now that we were on the path to minimize our layers, we found that we needed to educate and train our partners first with our vision and then with our constantly changing strategies. We started with town meetings which emphasized the main ideas of our vision. We emphasized, magnified and dramatized each individuals involvement. Our vision is to know our customer! We will stop, look, listen and grow to cultivate true partnerships. As Stephen Covey says,"The key to the many is the one!" We will focus on people, relationships and effectiveness. To achieve high customer satisfaction, we will always add value to the goods and services that we provide.

Our wheels are turning! From what we learned in "Dialogue Sessions", we are developing communication, marketing and attitude. With communication, we will build trust, honesty, knowledge, openness and opportunity. With marketing, we will enable communications, create innovative ideas, promote positive image, and increase vision as well as knowledge. With attitude, we will create a positive workplace and a holistic team of students, faculty and staff. Are we on the path of our vision? We feel that we are. Yes, we have resistance and denial, but we now have exploration and commitment.

YES, OUR WHEELS ARE ROLLING, ROLLING, ROLLING!
 
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