Commercial Maturity Review
Client Context
Against a backdrop of increasing demand on frontline services and tightening budgets, St Helens Council had an ambition to improve its approach to commercial activity. The council sought to unlock its commercial potential and create a more ‘business-like’ culture across the organisation to mitigate the impact of its increasing financial challenges. One year into the launch of its new commercial strategy, the council wanted to take stock of where this was succeeding and where the benefits could be accelerated.
Our Approach
Working in partnership, we helped the council to evaluate and accelerate its commercialisation journey:
Strategy Review: We began by studying the council’s existing commercial strategy and related policies and strategies, including the MTFS, to identify synergies, dependencies and alignment.
Data Analysis: Analysis of commercial data sets gave us insight into how well these strategies were translating into measurable results. This included fees and charges, savings initiatives, contracts register and spend data.
Stakeholder Engagement: An in-depth analysis of the council's existing portfolio was conducted in collaboration with stakeholders. This process aimed to identify current strengths and organisational appetite for change.
Maturity Assessment: Combining the findings of the desktop analysis and stakeholder engagement, we presented an assessment of the council’s existing maturity against five themes. Each theme was presented with the strengths and challenges of the current approach and ambition for improvement.
Future Programme Scoping: Working with the council, we co-produced a programme of work including timelines, milestones, work streams/packages, resource requirements, risks and benefits management. This also included the development of a governance model for the council’s commercial activities and projects.
Outputs and Outcomes
Key outputs from the work included:
1. Baseline Analysis: A comprehensive overview of the as-is based on desktop analysis, stakeholder interviews, workshops and benchmarking against comparator authorities.
2. Commercial Maturity Assessment: An in-depth understanding of the council's current level of commercial maturity across five themes and setting the ambition for acceleration and change.
3. Accountability and Ownership: Clarity over the organisation’s risk appetite, alongside greater understanding and ownership of the commercial agenda within service areas, as well as corporately.
4. Transformation Roadmap: A structured transformation programme to accelerate the objectives of the commercial strategy, prioritising key areas to improve commercial maturity, deliver savings and generate income.
5. Commercial Governance Model: A new commercial gateway approach across the E2E project lifecycle, from effective day-to-day delivery to the role of Members in strategic decision making.
About Us
Human Engine is a leading management consultancy with specialisms in strategy, transformation, digital, commercial, procurement and projects.
Founded in 2018, we have partnered with more than 50 local authorities, central government, NHS organisations and national charities to help transform their strategies, operations and cultures.
Our mission is to help individuals and organisations to do the best work of their lives. We do this by blending first-hand, practical experience of the problems we help our clients solve with award-winning consulting expertise and an approach based on trust, collaboration and partnership.