OfficeMax transforms operations: a partnership built on agility and co-creation

Overview

For OfficeMax, a leading supplier in New Zealand, the decision to partner with Five became a turning point. Together, they navigated sales inefficiencies, workforce transitions, cultural transformations, and compliance updates - ultimately building a lasting, results-driven partnership.

Challenge: streamlining sales processes and adapting to change

By 2019, OfficeMax identified a critical need to overhaul its sales processes to stay competitive in an evolving market. Facing internal inefficiencies and the impending impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, they sought Five’s expertise in organisational design and change management.

Solution: collaborative discovery and digital transformation

Five’s team began with a thorough discovery phase, conducting workshops with OfficeMax sales managers to pinpoint areas for improvement. Together, they devised a digital transformation strategy focused on streamlining operations and optimising systems. Despite delays caused by the pandemic, the foundational work of the plan set the stage for future success.

As priorities shifted with the onset of COVID-19, Five’s adaptability and commitment shone through, providing crucial support to OfficeMax during unprecedented times. The strong relationship that formed allowed both teams to pivot quickly and tackle new challenges head-on.

Navigating workforce transitions: tailored outplacement support

The pandemic led to difficult decisions for OfficeMax, including store closures and employee redundancies. Understanding the importance of supporting departing team members, OfficeMax partnered with Five for outplacement services. The result? Personalised career coaching and guidance that helped almost every individual secure their next opportunity - whether it was a new job or starting a business.

“Five’s support was invaluable during this time,” shared Vicky Beca, OfficeMax’s Director of People & Capability. “Their dedication made a huge difference in the lives of our people, providing a sense of confidence and hope for the future.”

Cultural transformation: embedding behaviours for long-term success

During lockdown, OfficeMax and Five turned their focus inward to reassess company culture. Together, they identified key behaviours that would drive future success. To ensure these behaviours were understood and embraced across the organisation, Five designed an interactive game that introduced these concepts in a fun and engaging way.

The game became a pivotal tool in embedding new behaviours, leading to improved teamwork and a stronger alignment with OfficeMax’s vision. As a result, the new behaviours quickly became ingrained in the daily operations and vernacular of the team, fostering a culture of continuous improvement.

Compliance made engaging: ‘The Great Summer Barbecue’

When new privacy compliance regulations emerged, OfficeMax turned to Five for a creative approach. Five developed an online training module, ‘The Great Summer Barbecue’, transforming what could have been a dry compliance session into an engaging and memorable experience. The result was improved understanding of privacy requirements and enthusiastic employee participation, setting a new standard for training at OfficeMax.

Why OfficeMax chose Five: a partner, not a provider

OfficeMax’s partnership with Five stands out due to a few critical factors:

• Deep understanding and custom solutions: “Five took the time to understand our challenges and crafted solutions that weren’t one-size-fits-all. They pushed when needed and adapted when priorities shifted,” says Vicky.
• Speed and flexibility: The ability to work within tight timeframes and deliver results under pressure made Five a key ally, especially during periods of rapid change.
• A proven track record in leadership and change: Five’s expertise in guiding leadership through change made them the ideal partner as OfficeMax redefined its future.

Results: a partnership that drives continuous improvement

With Five’s support, OfficeMax achieved significant improvements:

• Streamlined sales operations: enhanced processes that are future-ready.
• Successful employee transitions: personalised support that empowered employees to find new opportunities.
• Cultural alignment: a renewed focus on key behaviours that align with OfficeMax’s vision.
• Engaging compliance training: improved understanding of privacy requirements with creative, interactive modules.

Looking ahead: a partnership for the future

The collaboration between OfficeMax and Five has evolved into a long-term relationship that continues to deliver value. With Five’s ongoing support, OfficeMax is equipped to face new challenges, adapt to market shifts, and continue building a culture of success.

About Five

Five is a boutique management consultancy based in Auckland, specialising in people, performance, leadership, change, culture, and strategy. Through tailored solutions and a co-creation approach, we help organisations unlock their potential and thrive in a rapidly changing world.