Industry:  Heavy Industry  >  Iscor

• Iscor is the largest producer to steel products in South Africa
• 11,500 employees attended the program

• After years of government protection, Iscor suddenly found itself in a new global game. Tariff barriers and other forms of protection were removed by government and Iscor found itself highly uncompetitive. If drastic changes were not made, the business would have to close.
• Consultants McKinsey were brought in and they recommended a 40% cost reduction across the board, including extensive layoffs.
• Iscor’s internal PR department realized that, if staff did not understand the underlying reasons for transformation, they would inevitably fight change, with disastrous results.
• After a 6 month research and testing process in which all available programs were analyzed, they selected Team Business as the vehicle to communicate the “case for change” to staff.

• Team Business had to move staff from a culture of protected employment, to understand the need for change – both in terms of cost reductions and productivity improvements.

Iscor personnel were trained as facilitators to implement Team Business. The initial 6,000 staff targeted for the program was increased to the full complement of 11,500 employees, including managers who asked to be included once they saw the value of Team Business.

• The transformation happened effectively and with staff support. 5 years later Iscor is still in business, as a major player and recently recommended that Team Business be used by their industry association for the promotion of small businesses within their industry.