Operational Strategy Engagement: dash
CLIENT: dash (https://www.dashstudio.net/)
BACK STORY: Founded in 2015, dash is a high-end animation and motion design studio built around making incredible content. dash is considered by clients and peer designers as an up-and-coming powerhouse producing creative and highly engaging work (check out their reel below). In May 2018, co-founders Mack Garrison and Cory Livengood wanted to ensure they had the right operational structure and processes in place in order to grow their already successful company in a smart, sustainable way. While chatting casually over beers, Mack and Cory asked a pointed question: “Well, if you were to start your own consultancy, what would you do for us?” Imagination was sparked, and Stabilimenta was born.
WHAT WE DID: Stabilimenta conducted an operational strategy engagement with dash following a three-phase approach.
Phase I: Discovery & Research
Stabilimenta reviewed dash’s existing processes and tools as well as conducted a discovery session with Mack and Cory. Stabilimenta also conducted qualitative and quantitative research through employee interviews as well as client and freelance designer surveys with follow-up phone interviews. Stabilimenta gathered all of the research into an insights report, which also included dash’s refined organization anchors (mission, vision, values and beliefs, positioning) and operational gaps and issues.
Phase II: Action Plan
Building on the discovery and research phase, Stabilimenta created a personalized action plan with prioritized recommendations. Stabilimenta also produced additional deliverables, including: scope of work, new business, and project retrospective templates, organization chart, and project manager job description.
Stabilimenta reviewed the insights report and action plan with dash and adjusted based on feedback as well as worked with the team to incorporate these action items into their existing project management software, ActiveCollab, for ease of execution.
Phase III: Execution Follow Ups
Stabilimenta followed up with dash one month and three months after the initial review meeting to ensure that dash was making progress against the action plan and to answer any questions.
KEY OUTCOMES:
In less than a year and a half, smooth growth from five to seven employees (with plans to hire two more full-time positions) and a move from a co-working space to a standalone office
Refined brand values that employees can rally behind and new positioning: “dash is a high-end animation and motion design studio built around making incredible content”
Optimized project management system that increased effective and consistent use
Streamlined and better-defined file storage system
Standardized rates and scoping process plus improved financial forecasting
Easy and systemized onboarding for new employees
Introduction of a project retrospective process
“Stabilimenta’s in-depth operational audit has become an invaluable resource for dash as we plan our future. Jamie’s clear guidance, coupled with distinct action items, has made the daunting task of restructuring our company an inspiring process.”
“We really enjoyed this process and the insights report. We’ve got a huge leg up now on solidifying our processes and operations.”
WHAT’S NEXT FOR DASH?
dash expanded its team again in early 2020 and has no plans to stop creating incredible content. The team is also hosting a first-of-its-kind (in the Triangle) motion festival in October 2020: dash bash.