A new firm focused on ethical fund management (SWP), set out to establish reliable internal systems and processes. The company brought me on board to coordinate the development and organisation of these vital structures.
I played a key role in setting up SWP’s operational systems, ensuring a smooth handover to their newly hired Operations Manager after the project’s completion five months later.
The background
SWP was a pioneering ethical fund management and advisory firm dedicated to driving positive social change through strategic investments. SWP’s mission was to combine financial growth with ethical impact, creating sustainable value for their clients and communities.
As a new entrant in the investment space (with a very experienced team), SWP needed to establish solid internal systems to support their ambitious goals and operational needs.
The challenge: establishing a new firm
Starting up a new firm like SWP involved creating and coordinating internal systems and processes from the ground up. The challenge was to develop a thorough project plan, implement effective file and operational management systems, and arrange all essential services and providers.
Plus, we had to make sure we communicated effectively so that the streamlined operations could be handed over easily to new team members – it took careful planning and execution to keep everything running smoothly.
The steps taken
I took charge of coordinating SWP’s internal systems, focusing on creating a structured process to support their start-up operations. The solution involved:
- Working with a detailed project plan with clear timelines and milestones, outlining all necessary steps and responsibilities for establishing internal systems.
- Creating the company’s file management system and operational systems, ensuring all processes were streamlined and user-friendly.
- Conducting weekly progress meetings with the Co-Managing Partner and documenting action points for accountability.
- Sourcing and onboarding specialist service providers, like accounting firms and pension providers, to ensure SWP had the right external support for their operations.
- Managing external contractors, including the website developer, to ensure all deliverables were met according to the project plan.
- Executing a plan to communicate the successful completion of various operational steps to the team and ensure alignment with new systems and processes.
- Passing on all current systems and processes to a newly hired team member to maintain operational continuity.
The outcome
The comprehensive approach worked to successfully set up SWP’s internal systems and processes in five months, achieving several key outcomes:
- SWP’s internal systems were set up efficiently, providing a solid foundation for their operations and future growth.
- Weekly progress meetings and clear action points helped to coordinate tasks smoothly and completing them on time.
- We worked hard to find and bring on board the right specialist service providers to help SWP with their day-to-day operations.
- The successful handoff to a newly hired team member ensured SWP could carry out their mission smoothly and with no disruptions.
- By effectively aligning the core team with the new systems and processes, the communications plan created a united approach to operations.
This case study serves as evidence of my expertise in implementing and managing internal systems for new businesses. Effective systems lead to smooth transitions and operational efficiency, ultimately driving long-term growth and success.
