What We Do

PplDev (People Development Systems) helps managers and HR directors close the gap.

Sometimes employees experience a gap between their current level of performance and where they need to be. It’s common for managers and HR directors to need help closing this gap, and that’s where we come in, closing the gap through assessment, recommendation, implementation, and application. The recommendation may be coaching, training, or an intervention. Consider the following PplDev cases as examples of what we may do for you.

EXAMPLES

PplDev Case # 1 – Too much wine and too many employees going down the drain

A cellar operations department at a California winery had three major issues:

• Unusually high turnover (about 35% in the first year).
• Too many employees were not passing their probationary review.
• Lost revenue due to wine spillage and improper mixing.

The plant manager hired PplDev to address the third area and wanted us to look at the other two. A performance analysis helped us to identify causes and recommend a structured on-the-job training solution that addressed all three issues.

PplDev Case # 2 – Staying United and Connected

A bureau chief leading an intact team was introduced to our company through leadership classes offered by his employer. He wanted to know how to help his team of lab managers spread around the state to stay united and connected, especially since they had experienced several retirements in recent months. After an initial assessment, we facilitated the development of a Team Operating Agreement at their bi-monthly leadership team meeting in Sacramento. Two months later, additional facilitation was requested to help clarify some aspects of the agreement before final adoption. The bureau chief reported that he was satisfied with the advice he received, the direction we took, and the resulting outcome.

PplDev Case #3 – A team-building event turns into a yelling match

What was originally supposed to be just a team-building session for an intact team, quickly devolved into a yelling match that indicated deeper issues. We assessed the real needs of the team and recommended a major intervention to address (1) general team dissatisfaction with poor leadership and personal issues with the supervisor and (2) deep-seated issues between two team members. Coaching the supervisor on leadership skills, especially the need to “model the way,” resolved the first issue and mediation between two antagonistic employees resolved the second.

PplDev Case # 4 – Sexual harassment charges

A supervisor at a California public agency was charged with sexual harassment on two occasions but acquitted of both. The HR director hired PplDev to ensure there were no more charges and to help him do a better job as a supervisor. Whether the charges were legitimate or not, our assessment showed he was not doing a good job modeling the way, leading his employees, and distinguishing his supervisory roles. Based on the information gathered from HR and the supervisor’s manager, PplDev provided coaching in the areas of professional behavior with staff, leadership/management of people (roles of the supervisor), and constructive feedback with employees, peers, and management.

Achievement of successful outcomes was determined by HR and his direct manager: elimination of harassment accusations, improvement on 360° constructive feedback, and improved performance appraisals by manager.

PplDev Case # 5 – Can this verbally abusive manager be salvaged?

A supervisor at a California agriculture research company was very successful in every respect except in the way he treated his employees. His verbal abuse was probably sufficient cause to terminate him, but the company was reluctant to because he filled a high-value position in the company. The HR director contacted PplDev about helping him to treat his employees the same way he treated upper management—with respect. Through coaching and self-discovery tools, the manager changed his behavior. Per measures established with his direct manager and the HR director, the coaching intervention was successful.

Many of our other success stories probably match your situation. We’d welcome the opportunity to get the conversation going with you at no charge.