AIS is a proven approach used across industries and company sizes to identify improvement potential, implement meaningful change, and sustain results. It combines rigorous analysis with practical tools and clear guidance – delivered online, with offsite consultant support, or fully onsite.
Assess
The first phase involves a thorough assessment of your company to identify improvement potential.
The Assess phase provides a clear, objective understanding of where your company stands today and where improvement opportunities exist – expressed in monetary terms.
Assessment Structure
The assessment covers six essential areas that define organizational performance:
- General Information (company profile by type, size, industry sector)
- Key Financial Data
- Strategy
- Management System
- Primary Functions (Sales and Marketing, Operations)
- Support Functions
Purpose
The goal is to identify improvement potential from an internal perspective and determine its origin by comparing the assessment results with industry sector-specific benchmarks and ratios for financial indicators, management systems, business processes, and operational indicators.
This assessment is designed to give a comprehensive view of your company’s current state and improvement potential.
Assessment Methods
AIS offers a consistent structure across delivery modes:
- Online 50-point assessment for rapid insight
- Onsite diagnostic including process observations, interviews across management levels, and deeper analysis
Both approaches lead to a clear, data-driven understanding of your company’s improvement potential.
Industry Benchmarks
This assessment evaluates your company’s performance using industry-specific benchmarks drawn from 18 sectors and 106 subsectors. The results highlight improvement potential tailored to your industry sector, making it versatile for any company.
Comprehensive Results
Detailed Report
Upon completion of the assessment, you’ll receive a detailed report that includes total improvement potential, sources of improvement, and financial impact.
Presentation of Findings
For onsite assessments, a consultant presents the findings directly to top management, ensuring clarity, alignment, and shared understanding of priorities.
Quantified Financial Gains
The assessment quantifies potential financial gains in clear monetary terms, making it easier to understand the impact of improvements. It also includes an annual financial projection.
Management Systems and Business Processes
The assessment evaluates your management systems and business processes to identify areas for improvement.
This includes examining the strength of your sales and marketing, operations, and support functions (examples below).
External View of Potential
The assessment provides an objective, external view of your company’s potential, which can be used for budgeting, strategy planning, launching improvement projects, and identifying priorities.
Recommendations
The assessment includes recommendations for improvements, providing a roadmap for the next phases.
Support for Existing Analysis
AIS can complement internal studies by validating findings and adding new insights based on a proven methodology.
Assessment Process
Management Involvement
The assessment is carried out by a knowledgeable member of the management team or by the full team, depending on your preference and availability. When conducted online, progress can be saved and resumed at any time; when conducted onsite, consultants guide the process directly through interviews with all management levels and through observations in the relevant areas.
Finance Department Support
In most cases, top management will know how to answer the questions, but may need support from the finance department for key financial data such as revenue and major cost categories including payroll, materials/supplies/parts, energy, marketing and advertising, transport and distribution, and IT.
Data Security and Confidentiality
All assessment data is handled with strict confidentiality. Information submitted online is encrypted and GDPR compliant, and insights gathered during onsite interviews and observations are treated with the same level of professional confidentiality.
Improve
A structured, guided approach to implementing the identified improvements.
The Improve phase transforms assessment insights into a practical, achievable plan.
Your organization receives the structure, tools, and support needed to implement improvements effectively – either independently with guidance or through direct consultant involvement.
Two Implementation Paths
AIS offers two complementary implementation approaches, allowing you to choose the level of support that best fits your organization:
Client-Led Implementation (with Offsite Consultant Support)
Your management team leads the implementation internally, supported by consultants who provide:
- guidance and direction
- clarification on methodology and tools
- regular check-ins to ensure progress
- support in interpreting results and overcoming challenges
This approach empowers your team while ensuring expert oversight throughout the process.
Consultant-Led Onsite Implementation
Consultants work directly with your organization through:
- workshops with top management
- workshops with middle and frontline managers
- one-on-one interventions in operational areas
- hands-on support to drive execution and resolve issues in real time
This approach accelerates implementation and ensures deep alignment across all levels of the company.
AIS Core Modules
The Improve phase is built around the AIS Core Modules, selected and customized based on your assessment results.
Strategy Development
Set goals, define strategic priorities, and align improvement efforts.
Management System
Build or refine systems that support execution, accountability, and performance management.
Process Improvement
Optimize business processes for efficiency, quality, and effectiveness.
Roles & Skills
Clarify responsibilities and develop internal capabilities to support execution.
Step-by-Step Implementation Guide
Structured Plan
The AIS methodology provides a clear, structured plan outlining the necessary steps to achieve the identified improvements. The guide breaks down complex processes into manageable tasks, with examples, required tools, and scripts for internal meetings to ensure successful implementation.
Implementation Approach
Guidelines help define the implementation strategy, ensuring all management levels understand their roles and contributions – whether the work is led internally or supported onsite.
Change Management
Implementing improvements often involves significant change. The guide includes change management strategies to help your organization adapt smoothly. This covers communication plans, stakeholder engagement, and techniques to manage resistance to change.
Tools and Knowledge
You gain access to a wealth of tools and knowledge required to implement the improvements effectively. This includes templates, best practices, and a knowledge base with organized training material. This supports HR and management in developing the skills required for successful implementation.
Leadership & Skill Development
AIS strengthens management capabilities across all levels, improving decision-making, communication, and operational effectiveness.
Feedback and Evaluation
Continuous feedback loops ensure the implementation remains on track and delivers the expected results – regardless of the chosen implementation path.
Sustain
The third phase ensures long-term success by focusing on maintaining the systems and processes put in place during the improvement phase.
Continuous Improvement Process
Monitoring and Enhancement
This stage emphasizes ongoing oversight and refinement of your organization’s systems and processes, helping the company stay agile and responsive to evolving conditions.
Friendly Competition
The methodology encourages friendly competition between departments, managers, and areas, fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
This helps ensure that everyone is motivated to excel and maintain the improvements achieved.
Utilization of Tools
Tracking Progress
You will have access to tools that help track progress, measure success, and identify areas for further improvement. These tools ensure that your organization remains on track and can quickly address any issues that arise.
Measuring Success
The tools provided help measure the success of the improvements implemented, providing clear insights into the impact on your company’s operations and performance.
Identifying Further Improvements
The continuous improvement process helps identify further areas for improvement, ensuring that your organization remains competitive and efficient.
Long-Term Impact
Ingraining Improvements
The Sustain phase ensures that the improvements are not just temporary fixes but are ingrained in your company’s operations. This leads to ongoing efficiency and success, with lasting results.
Improved Management Skills
Management capabilities continue to strengthen over time, ensuring your team remains well-equipped to maintain and build upon the improvements achieved.
High Productivity
By maintaining the systems and processes put in place, your organization will continue to benefit from the improvements achieved, leading to ongoing efficiency and success.