Client:
Molex Incorporated
Challenge
Located on the Mexico-Arizona border, the plant must integrate two cultures and languages while managing a number of issues unique to its border location.
Results:
- Elevated satisfaction in 75 percent of 34 surveyed areas
- Improvement in 8 of 10 communication areas
- Lowered occurrence of quality issues by 50 percent
- Earned the Best in Class award for Most Improved Quality among 65 worldwide plants
- Awarded the Sonora Industry Honor, which acknowledges the "Best Place to Work" in Sonora by the Chamber of Commerce for the Mexican state of Sonora
Business itself is challenging enough. But merging two cultures in one manufacturing plant makes for an even more complex environment.
Such was the case for the Nogales, Mexico branch of the global company, Molex Incorporated. Located on the Mexico-Arizona border, the plant must manage a number of issues unique to its border location. The company manufactures electronic components for a range of industries, with 65 plants in 20 countries throughout the world.
Human Resources at Molex first contacted Lisa Koss, of International Advantage® - Leading Across Cultures, to facilitate a culture workshop. The company had heard about Lisa after her presentation to HR execs in Guadalajara, Mexico.
Lisa offered a combination of fluency in Spanish, as well as a specialty in leadership, organizational development and group dynamics.
Molex next hired Lisa for a 2½-day strategic planning retreat and then to help implement the strategic plan, assist the cross-cultural leadership team in working together more as a cohesive group, and improve their management skills.
‘The Tools to Contribute Proactively and Support Each Other’
Lisa Koss worked on site with the 15 members of the leadership team three days per week for 13 months. In consulting with the team, comprised of leaders from all company departments, Lisa facilitated weekly meetings for day-to-day issues and occasional offsite retreats to address higher-level objectives such as strategic alignment and overall team communication.
Each week, the team chose the topics on which they wanted to focus as a team, with Lisa then guiding the group in productive discussions. In every meeting, she offered feedback about the issue at hand and about the way the team worked through challenges. She helped facilitate often tough, but important discussions, and streamline meeting processes.
“Lisa helped our lead team support and trust each other, and communicate. It was a huge step,” said Seth Maxwell, Industrial Business Unit Manager. “We now present a more united front to the plant and collaborate better, which results in faster decision-making. She added a tremendous positive influence and gave us the tools to contribute proactively and support each other.”
Elevating Effectiveness with One-on-One Coaching
Lisa also coached each of the 15 leaders one-on-one on both personal and professional effectiveness. She gave managers tools for discussing performance with their staff, and interviewed direct reports and brought back that valuable information to managers. She also talked ad hoc with staff on the plant floor, and reported back on key themes, questions or concerns.
Lisa’s focus on both groups and individuals helped ensure that positive changes took place more quickly.
“Lisa did a great job of peeling away layers in order to identify root cause issues so that they can be evaluated and addressed,” said Ron Schubel, Executive Vice President.
Measurable Success across the Board
Lisa’s work helped improve understanding and relationships at every level – including between the Nogales location, the corporate office, and other plants in the region.
Climate surveys before and after consulting, revealing significant progress:
- Elevated satisfaction in 75 percent of areas
- Significant improvement in 8 of 10 communication area
During the engagement with International Advantage, the plant lowered the occurrence of quality issues by 50 percent.
“This is significant because the quality results are a reflection of the entire team’s communication and collaboration,” said Luis Dávila, VP of Operations.
As a result, Nogales earned the Best in Class award for Most Improved Quality in 2006 among 65 worldwide plants. Also in 2006, the Chamber of Commerce for the Mexican state of Sonora awarded Molex the Sonora Industry Honor, which acknowledges the "Best Place to Work" in Sonora – a distinction that improves the company’s profile in the region and hiring efforts.
“Thanks to Lisa’s coaching, our lead team in Nogales now communicates better internally and externally,” added Dávila. “All this has made us more productive, and we now have the new tools to resolve issues more quickly and effectively. She made a big difference.”
