Engaged employees don’t just show up—they show out. I’ve seen this spark 16% sales growth with nine reps at AIG and fuel a $54M turnaround with 30+ pros. With over 20+ years in finance and consulting, I’ve learned that operational transparency isn’t just about sharing data—it’s about building trust that drives employee engagement. At Consultgenix, we’ve hit 12% efficiency gains by keeping teams in the loop. Let’s explore how transparency can ignite your workforce because a connected team is a committed one.
Why Engagement Matters More Than Ever
A disengaged team is a quiet killer—productivity dips, turnover spikes. I felt that at Lehman Brothers—uncertainty bred apathy. At AIG, though, clarity turned 30+ pros into a $20M EBITDA machine.
It’s not fluff: Gallup says engaged teams boost profits by 21%. At Consultgenix, we’ve seen this 12% efficiency often starts with people who care. Engagement isn’t a perk—it’s your edge.
How Transparency Fuels Connection
Opacity breeds doubt—I’ve lived that. At Kemper, siloed ops left staff guessing until we opened up, saving $55M. Transparency—sharing the “why” and “how”—changes that. At AIG, showing 30+ pros, our restructure plan ($54M) rallied them, and 30% profitability followed.
It’s simple: People want context—goals, challenges, wins. When they see the big picture, they buy in. I’ve watched it lift morale at Consultgenix—transparency turns workers into partners.
A Real-World Win: $54M Turnaround at AIG
Let’s rewind to 2012–2018 at AIG. I was Finance Head for Personal Insurance in the LAC region, managing $900M. We were restructuring—divesting $54M in units—and tension was high. Jobs felt shaky, trust waned.
I flipped the script. I held weekly huddles, and 30+ pros got raw updates: financials via Power BI, plans for Bogota ($4M saved), and our profitability goal. They saw their role—$20M EBITDA and $40M debt cut weren’t just my wins; they were ours. Engagement soared—30% profitability proved it. Transparency didn’t just inform—it inspired.
Tools to Share the Story
I’m a tools guy—because they make openness real. At Kemper, Workday Adaptive Planning shared budgets—$55M saved. At AIG, Tableau dashboards kept 30+ in sync—16% sales growth followed.
Here’s my kit:
- Dashboards: Power BI or Tableau—I’ve tracked KPIs with both.
- Comms: Teams or Slack—Consultgenix clients stay connected this way.
- Plans: Vena or Anaplan—I’ve shown teams the future with these.
Pick what fits—small crews can go simple, but big ones need depth. Tools don’t engage—they enable.
Steps to Boost Engagement with Transparency
Ready to connect your team? Here’s my playbook, forged from PwC to now:
- Share the Vision: Why are we here? At AIG, it was 30%—clear goals bind.
- Open the Books: Show metrics—I’ve used SAP at Aetna for 100% compliance trust.
- Explain the Moves: Context—I’ve briefed 30+ at AIG on every pivot.
- Invite Input: Listen—I’ve shaped Kemper’s $55M with team feedback.
- Celebrate Together: Wins matter—$20M at AIG was a team toast.
This isn’t theory—it’s what I’ve done. At Consultgenix, we’ve applied this to clients, turning quiet teams into eager ones.
The Human Side of Transparency
Let’s get real: Engagement’s about heart, not just head. I’ll never forget an AIG rep who said, “Derrek, I get it now—I’m part of this.” That $54M turnaround wasn’t mine—it was hers. Or a Consultgenix client who grinned at 12% efficiency—“You made us a team,” he said.
That’s what drives me. I’ve led nine to 16% growth, 30+ to $55M savings—every time, transparency lit the fire. It’s not about data—it’s about dignity.
Why This Matters Now
Teams are stretched—remote work blurs lines, burnout looms, and loyalty wavers. I’ve navigated recessions at Lehman and booms at AIG. Today, with uncertainty high, an engaged team is your rock. Hide the plan, and they drift; share it, and they dig in.
Think about your crew. Are they in the dark? Could transparency spark them? That’s where business consulting shines—turning clarity into commitment.
Let’s Engage Your Team
Driving engagement with operational transparency isn’t a soft skill—it’s a strategy. With decades in business consulting, I’ve helped companies connect and conquer. At Consultgenix, we’re all about teams that thrive—for you and your future.
If you’re ready to boost engagement with transparency, I’d love to talk. Reach out to derrek@consultgenix.com to discuss your strategy. Let’s light up your workforce—together.