DRIVING TO THE FINISH LINE WITH SIEMENS
6 weeks to help coordinate the successful rollout of an ambitious live event execution. With autonomous cars and extensive showcasing of Siemens leading digital developments.
BACKGROUND
There is nothing like a tight deadline, a huge event opportunity and great communications team.
As I again partnered with Siemens UK, to deliver project direction for their customer facing exhibit at the 2019 Goodwood Festival of Speed - a global live motorsport event. With 6 weeks to deliver the "amazing" - it was a challenge that was going to go right to the last corner.
Siemens is a digital pioneer and the 10th largest software company globally, a fact you might not associate with the brand.
MY APPROACH
Speed was of the essence, but the importance of stopping to put plans and deliverable processes in place was essential. The process were based on Agile procedures that would keep the 20 strong communication team and third parties aligned. Allowing multiple project streams to be undertaken simultaneously to hit the immovable deadlines.
The deliverables spanned across the UK Website, Press Releases, Social Media engagement and showcasing Siemens digital capabilities at this live event.
I organised the core project team into separate workstreams, some remotely and self-collaborating throughout the project, working towards common goals. Using online workflow tools to allocated tasks, prioritise and track progress.
After the planing stage, my role would transition into a coordinator and a coach to project team members, ensuring the best actions were taken to positively solve any problems. This assisted the communication flow across the Siemens business and the many 3rd party agencies involved to ensure delivery.
THE RESULTS
This was the most effective piece of work I have been fortunate to project lead. I created and was given feedback...
"(instantly) the project became more visible and transparent, the team were working independently but together."
This was a fantastic outcome and core to being a great Project Manager. I remember when I was first asked to work on delivering this project, the Strategy Lead for Siemens said 'I'm not sure exactly the value you will bring, but I know you will'.
Results were staggering including global press, TV, online, social inc. 88 pieces of coverage, 1.84 billion online readership, 1.64k social shares and achievement of getting a 50s Mustang autonomously up Goodwards notorious hillclimb twice a day. A spectacle that captured the imagination of the public and press, from a partnership between Cranfield Uni and Siemens.
The project and event was shortlisted as the 2018 CorpComms Awards for Best Live Event. The submission from Siemens included Agile and self collaborating team techniques e.g. goal setting, daily and weekly goals enabled focused teamwork
“The best event & teamwork we’ve worked together on so far”
The social Media strategy & execution made a leap change during Goodwood FoS – keep the momentum engage with partners, outsource, blend resourcing with UK, Global and other Communications experts.
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