The challenge
OfficeMax needed to overhaul sales processes to stay competitive, then faced COVID-19 lockdowns that required rapid adaptation, workforce transitions, and cultural transformation, all without losing momentum.
What we did
- Ran discovery workshops with sales managers to identify inefficiencies and shape a digital transformation strategy
- Delivered personalised outplacement services and career coaching during pandemic-driven redundancies
- Co-designed a cultural behaviour framework with an interactive game to embed new behaviours
- Built 'The Great Summer Barbecue', an engaging privacy compliance training module
- Pivoted rapidly as priorities shifted through the pandemic
What changed
- Almost every outplaced employee secured their next opportunity, whether a new role or starting a business
- Streamlined sales operations future-ready for market change
- New cultural behaviours became ingrained in daily operations and team vernacular
- Long-term partnership continuing to deliver value
Overview
In today’s fast-paced business world, organisations must be agile, innovative, and adaptable. For OfficeMax, a leading supplier in New Zealand, the decision to partner with Five NZ 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 NZ’s expertise in organisational design and change management.
Solution: Collaborative Discovery and Digital Transformation
Five NZ’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 NZ’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 NZ 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 NZ turned their focus inward to reassess company culture. Together, they identified key behaviors that would drive future success. To ensure these behaviours were understood and embraced across the organisation, Five NZ 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’ Training Module
When new privacy compliance regulations emerged, OfficeMax turned to Five NZ 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 NZ: A Partner, Not a Provider
OfficeMax's partnership with Five NZ 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 NZ a key ally, especially during periods of rapid change.
- A Proven Track Record in Leadership and Change: Five NZ’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 NZ’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 behaviors 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 NZ 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 NZ
Five NZ 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.
