How we reduced time to market by 65% for a financial services company—and by 360% for a boutique agency
The tension between product and design was palpable. Leaders at a large financial services company described the situation as a growing storm: finger-pointing, missed deadlines, and mounting frustration. Each team blamed the other for unclear processes and unnecessary rework, while deadlines slipped away and revenue losses piled up.
When we stepped in, our goal was clear—help these teams align, rebuild trust, and create the clarity they desperately needed.
But this wasn’t an isolated incident. Years later, we worked with a boutique agency facing the same challenges: misaligned processes, undefined roles, and growing tension. The stakes were different, but the symptoms were nearly identical.
Here’s how we helped both companies turn things around.
Identifying the problem: where alignment breaks down
In both cases, it became clear early on that the tension wasn’t personal—it was systemic. Teams didn’t agree on who was responsible for what. Communication was inconsistent, and processes were riddled with gaps and overlaps that created chaos.
When teams can’t agree on roles and responsibilities, it’s like trying to build a house without a blueprint. The results? Friction, frustration, and failure to deliver on time.
We brought the leaders from both groups together for a series of workshops to diagnose the root issues. After just a few hours, the problems became obvious:
- Misaligned roles: No one had clarity on who owned what.
- Lack of accountability: Teams weren’t empowered to take ownership.
- Communication gaps: Mismatched expectations led to avoidable conflicts.
With these insights in hand, we began to build a path forward.
The solution: rebuilding trust through co-creation
Rather than imposing solutions, we empowered the teams to solve these challenges together. In both cases, we created ad hoc task forces made up of representatives from each group. These teams worked together to:
- Define roles and responsibilities for every step of the process.
- Establish Service Level Agreements (SLAs) to set clear expectations.
- Identify and fill process gaps to eliminate redundancies.
This co-creation approach was a game-changer. By involving the teams directly, we not only solved the immediate problems but also rebuilt trust and created a shared sense of ownership.
The results: faster time to market, better collaboration, and lasting change
The impact was remarkable:
- At the financial services company, time to market improved by 65%, and teams reported higher morale and fewer conflicts. Deadlines were no longer an issue, and the organization saw a measurable boost in revenue.
- At the boutique agency, time to market skyrocketed by 360%, with similarly dramatic improvements in team alignment and efficiency.
Years later, both organizations still use the frameworks we helped them build. The teams are aligned, the processes are streamlined, and the collaboration is thriving.
Let’s transform your team
Every team has its challenges, but with the right tools and support, those challenges can become opportunities for growth. Whether you’re facing tension between departments or struggling with misaligned processes, we’re here to help.
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