Client stories: Framestore
Reframing the future for change
“We’re enjoying huge success and we’re one of the top three in our industry, but how can I re-energise my long-standing management team now that the world is changing and we need to evolve our strategy?” That was the challenge facing the Chief Executive at Framestore, one of the world’s leading (and Oscar winning) studios for creative animations and images in both film and commercial industries.
It was a familiar challenge for a creative organisation.
People love the creative work and ethos of the business, but the economic recession forces the need for a rethink of the business model, a refocus of the strategy and a refresh of the management team (who are all resilient, strong in skills, world class yet lacking self belief in their ability to stay ahead in the future).
Revealing the real challenge
A short listening exercise with each individual member of the management team revealed where the real challenges lay – and what was stopping them from moving forward. It revealed a strong and unifying desire to take the business to the next level, but an equal frustration that they weren’t sure what market leadership looked like in the new world. They needed to develop a new shared vision and direction for the future before they could start to tackle some of the more immediate areas for improvement and development.
The CEO set up a working group to think about the future vision and direction and made a point of talking individually to some of the best talent in different parts of the business to discover what they saw as the new motivators and drivers of growth. Ironically, it is the insights from these individual conversations that have helped to shape both a new sense of purpose and new strategic themes.
The management team now see the context and value of their energy and personal contributions in taking the business forward. They also now see its connection to the real work of producing extraordinary images for our clients.
Sir William Sargent
Chief Executive, Framestore
The future looks bright
Taking forward strategy in a business where people’s creativity is focused on the client work isn’t easy. But Framestore has now reframed its vision – by literally drawing a powerful picture that tells the story and makes the links to the new strategic priorities – which provide the focus for team effort and activity for the next few years.
About the client
Framestore is the largest visual effects and computer animation studio in Europe, with over 20 years of experience in digital film and video technology.
