The challenge

Operating across 11 European countries, the organisation works within tight margins to maintain and develop its position in a highly competitive market.

Avis needed to reduce operating overheads and create more consistency and efficiency of processes across Europe. The company recognised it had more cost reduction opportunities through two European shared service centres, and by getting best value out of all their business assets.

What we did

Change Associates supported the organisation’s transformation through all key steps: establishing a plan, defining a benefits case and Key Performance Indictors, defining an operating model and organisation design, planning a transition and implementing with success.

We did so using a transparent and collaborative approach with the Executive Committee, board members, and key stakeholders across all 11 countries.

We worked with top management to clarify the scope and the business case for the transformation programme. We designed a detailed benefits tracking model for each country to ensure the business was able to accurately measure benefits.

We led a team that included consultants from a big five consulting firm to map processes and define a target operating model. We identified opportunities for efficiency gains and transitioned 360 in-country roles to 140 roles across two shared service centres.

A thorough knowledge-transfer process prior to cutover ensured a smooth transition of roles and responsibilities. We worked with local HR teams to manage exhaustive communication and change management activities as well as negotiations with European Works Councils.

During implementation, Change Associates provided leadership and transformation capability to the business, addressed people, capability, and cultural issues, and took accountability for benefits realisation.

Change Associates supported all programme management activities to ensure coordination and alignment across initiatives.

The result

•  €2.5M value of benefits in the first year
• 30% (€14.4M) projected further benefits
• Primarily achieved through transition of processes to shared service centres
• Developed a framework to measure and track benefit realisation
• Identified further opportunities for process improvement
• HR Transformation programme initiated, led by Change Associates.

Image (c) Shutterstock | Cosmin Sava