Both Lenka Horakova and Martin Vancura worked for a long time in the Zlin-based company Kovarna VIVA, which became the best company in the Czech Republic. Ms Horakova has many years of experience in HR and personnel management, and Mr Vancura was the financial and later executive director of the company. Since 2017, they have been passing on their experience to companies that are committed to change. The current team consists of 15 specialists with many years of experience, especially in the areas of strategy, HR, finance (tax, accounting controlling), IT and grant support, especially in R&D.

They specialise mainly in manufacturing companies (SMEs) in the growth phase or dealing with strategic decisions (including transfer of ownership). They set up management processes, team management, shape the company culture. They help to set up processes so that the company can function without the presence of a key person (owner). To work together, you need to have shared values and a meaningful purpose.

The path and strategy to get there is not easy. The basis is a good understanding of the company, and this is provided by the analysis of the company's management or audit in a different way.

Why audit a little differently? We have experienced many classic process (ISO) audits, but rarely with benefits for the development of the company. Our method of getting to know the company through informal but structured interviews is irreplaceable for us. "Talking" to people across the company from the owner, management, specialists, foremen and the workers themselves is essential and says a lot about the company. What can we learn? The strengths and weaknesses of the company, the opportunities as well as the threats in its business, the overall company culture, communication, the way of working, the management style, the use of machines and software, the efficiency of work and much more. But we put not only on feelings and intuition, but also on hard data and the result of the work is a comprehensive analysis of the company presented to the owner of the company. This material is presented not only to the owner but also to the management (leadership) of the company at a joint workshop. The goal is to agree with management on what they want to change and what each of them is willing to do individually to make the necessary changes. The result is an action plan where SMART tasks are defined (deadline, solver, clear assignment). The action plan is presented to the employees, and then collaboration on the solution is initiated. This model has been successfully tested on dozens of projects.

Many of the companies that SIConsult Zlin has helped are also members of the HR Development Cluster because they realize that the wealth of a company is in its people and in the sharing of knowledge.

If you need any advice, don't be afraid to contact us, we will be happy to help. Whether in the field of strategic management, HR and personnel, accounting and controlling or in the financing of development projects (grants, etc.).

Lenka Horakova and Martin Vancura SIConsult Zlín s.r.o., member of the HR Development Cluster.