CORPORATE STRUCTURE

Goal:

Transformation may result in an organization considering changes to its corporate structure. For example, organizations may want to establish a “for-profit” business as part of their transformation efforts. The Corporate Structure Domain assesses how well the agency has been able to define the steps it must take to determine a corporate structure that optimizes its potential for successful transformation of employment supports to integrated, community-based, competitive opportunities. 

Learning Objectives

The Corporate Structure domain focuses on the development of a better understanding of steps to be taken when an agency is considering if any changes are needed or are planned to be made to its corporate structure:

• Understanding the relationship of a “mission-driven” philosophy to the corporate structure
• Understanding the various types of corporate structures and their purposes
• The importance of understanding both the legal and financial basis for the various corporate structures

Audience

Agency Leadership:

• Executive Team
• Board of Directors

Tools and Processes

Group Discussion Exercise – Corporate Structure  

The following group discussion exercise is structured to help the agency gain a better understanding of the many considerations involved in making the decision of whether or not to change its corporate structure.

1.

Get a sense of the agency’s baseline score by completing the Mini ESTA.

2.

This brief podcast defines the “Corporate Structure Domain” and why the questions in the full self-assessment are important. 

3.

Complete the ESTA or move to the next step.

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4.

Assemble a group of your agency’s Leadership stakeholders; minimally include Executive Leadership (e.g. CEO, CFO, HR, COO) and Board of Directors. For a more expansive group include external participants (individuals and families, community partners, etc.).  

A.) Note: This process may also be conducted using multiple groups with each group comprised of discrete stakeholders (e.g. Board members only; Executive Team only).​

5.

Review the self-assessment of Corporate Structure from the Mini ESTA (or ESTA if completed).

A.) By reviewing the rating/score from the assessment, the agency will see where they fall on the continuum of progress towards transformation in the Corporate Structure Domain. Keep in mind the responses to the individual items in the assessment during discussion.

6.

Continue discussion using the prompts below. During discussion, consider potential actions that may be undertaken to make further progress in the transformation process.

​Approximate Time for Exercise:
​60-90 minutes

A). Does your agency’s current corporate structure align with the current strategic plan and the direction of the planned transformation? Will the current structure support the direction?   

B.) Discuss the pros and cons to considering a change in structure, including fit with the agency’s philosophy and purpose. Is there a structure that best aligns with the agency’s current Mission, Vision, and Values?  

C.) Review the steps the agency has taken to obtain legal and accounting advice or guidance regarding structure. What else is needed to make an informed decision? Has the agency already taken steps to change the corporate structure?

Download Discussion Prompts