At The Gibney Alliance, we apply our efforts to address urgent issues, establish a mindset of continuous improvement, operate in an open, honest, and collaborative environment, and incorporate the means for sustaining everything we do.
The wolf at the door
BACKGROUND
In “Pulp Fiction” Harvey Keitel’s character, Winston Wolf “solves problems.” His approach is very blunt, honest, and abrasive. His overall appeal is his ability to remain calm while assessing a situation and then issue precise direction, within a specific timeline. At the same time, he incorporates simple courtesies that allay the concerns of those he is helping.
APPLICATION:
“The wolf at the door” is an analogy used quite often at TGA. Many organizations are attempting to battle strategic issues, while there is potentially a tactical one that can take them down. Our approach is not as harsh as that used by the Wolf, and expletives are never part of the conversation, yet our methods are similar. Our current state analysis is part of an overall strategic plan of getting our customer to achieve their goals. If this component reveals a threat, no other action is taken until the threat is resolved. We work with our customers to understand the issues and associated risks, determine the probability and potential impact, outline plans of action to mitigate them and provide alternatives from which to choose.
We don't make the things that you make; we make the things you make better.
BACKGROUND:
Badische Anilin and Soda Fabrik (BASF – German for “Baden Aniline and Soda Factory”) is a chemical company whose logo was “We don’t make the products you use, we make the products you use better.” I always appreciated this logo growing up – it always seemed to be accompanied by someone waterskiing – and I became a bigger fan of the concept as my career advanced. The company knew its niche and was very successful operating within it.
APPLICATION:
At The Gibney Alliance, our experience across the public and private sectors allows us to implement best practices to unique and common issues. We don’t assume to know our customer’s operations as well as they do, and we gain an understanding through collaborative cooperation. Our experience, across virtually every industry, is applied to complement that customer knowledge with our expertise and support them across every aspect of business operations.
Issues never become problems
BACKGROUND
At Racal Communications, Bob was our resident Defense Contracting Audit Agency (DCAA) representative. The DCAA has the authority to shut down a contract whenever they deem it appropriate. When I assumed my role as Director of Manufacturing Engineering, after he had a somewhat tumultuous experience with my predecessor, Bob pulled me aside. He said, “Tom, if you are honest with me about issues, they will never become problems.”
APPLICATION:
I have repeated these words to my staff, customers, subcontractors, and colleagues for over 30 years. Be honest with me, I’ll be honest with you, and whenever we face challenges, we will figure out a way to overcome them together.
Sustainment
BACKGROUND:
Vince Lombardi said, “If it doesn’t matter who wins or loses, then why do they keep score?”
John Wooden said, “If you don’t have time to do it right, when will you have time to do it over?”
APPLICATION:
The Gibney Alliance uses data to support decision-making. Our experience across the public and privates sectors has revealed the importance of quantifying performance and incorporating a qualitative perspective in assessing it. This leads to implementing best practices to common, as well as unique issues, based upon the specific goals of our customers. We provide them with the means for controlling the solution by including Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) so they constantly measure and adjust, or recalibrate, to ensure reliability and continuous improvement. Our customers are part of the solution, and they understand the value of owning it.
