Board level digital transformation for photography solutions supplier

Case Study

Synopsis

An international developer and supplier of photography solutions to theme parks and tourist attractions was struggling to deliver the digital transformation commitment made to the Investment Board and clients.

 

The client required Ann bring a mix of skills – strategic analysis and definition, significant programme and stakeholder management experience, strong leadership – into a highly challenging and complex environment and find a way through to deliver Investment Board expectations.

Client

An international developer and supplier of photography solutions to theme parks and tourist attractions was struggling to deliver the digital transformation commitment made to the Investment Board and clients.

 

Ann was brought in by the Global Operations Director for her strategic thinking, problem solving ability and senior stakeholder management skills. 

What help were they looking for?

The client required Ann’s strategic thinking and ability to quickly understand complex cross functional situations to initially undertake a strategic review of their digital transformation programme.

It quickly became apparent that the programme was failing and had lost its way and Ann was asked to step into the role of Programme Director.

 

Ann scoped, defined, and managed delivery of a number of tactical projects whilst working with the leadership team to better define the strategy and associated technical solution. This required a complete change of direction that Ann presented to and secured buy in from the Investment Board.

 

During the turbulent period of senior leadership change, company restructure and business acquisition, Ann was moved to report directly to the CEO and formed and led the Programme team. In the absence of the CTO Ann’s remit was expanded to include Product development and Technology delivery. Ann worked closely with the Product and Technology teams translating strategy and vision into high level requirements, and ensuring the products delivered end user requirements, and the Roadmap delivered the strategy.

 

Ann had accountability for development and delivery of the first phase of the strategic plan plus getting the foundations in place to enable the internal team to progress the second phase. This included aligning everything to the strategy – team structure; the development and implementation of new ways of working to ensure efficient and effective delivery of new releases of software; the necessary monitoring processes to enable bugs to be identified quickly and swiftly resolved; all stakeholder management, which was a significant element given the complex nature of the business, operating in the business-to-business-to-consumer (B2B2C) arena.

Timelines

Timelines were highly constrained due to needing to secure permission from clients for any work required on site and the seasonal nature of the business.

 

  • Review and tactical solution scoping 3mths
  • Tactical solution delivery 9mths
  • Strategic solution Phase One 10mths from Investment Board approval

Critical Deliverables

Tactical Solution

 

  • On site digital solution to locations in Germany and USA
  • Online sales solution to locations in Germany and USA
  • Online only digital solution and sales to a mobile location in New York

Strategic Solution

  • Cloud based technology working in conjunction with onsite photography to multiple client sites UK, Europe, USA and China
  • Standardised and re-developed web site to be a global website
  • Remote support solution for the Guest Services team
  • Defined and deployed technology standard to all viable client sites globally
  • Two guest facing digital products deployed in multiple locations and countries
  • Two capture products deployed in multiple locations and countries
  • Self-service association kiosks deployed in multiple locations in UK, USA and Germany
  • Self-service association / payment kiosks deployed in multiple locations in UK and US