Recently, one of our clients reached out with unfortunate news: their parent company decided to gradually close their Hungarian site. Faced with the challenge of maintaining employee morale and business continuity, the Hungarian CEO asked for our help. We had only two weeks to prepare the announcement and get the managers ready.

How We Tackled the Challenge

Every company faces difficult times, whether it’s downsizing or even closure. These situations are tough for both managers and employees. The question is: can such transitions be handled successfully, and if so, how do we measure that success?

“I didn’t expect success at all. I thought neutral would be the best outcome, but in the end, we got positive feedback. People felt safe.” – CEO, Hungarian manufacturing company

Our Approach

As leaders ourselves, we understand the pressure to act quickly while being practical. But situations like these require more than just a functional approach. Our method focuses on three key pillars:

•Thoughtful, detailed planning

•Empathy and a human approach

•Authenticity and credibility

We start by understanding the business context and work closely with leaders to find the best solutions. In this case, we provided support in three areas that are tightly connected: leadership, HR, and communication.

Leadership Support

We helped leaders deal with the emotional and mental challenges they faced. This included preparing for possible reactions, discussing scenarios, and providing a safe space for them to express their concerns.

“You gave us a professional toolkit. We were able to structure the crisis, and I felt completely comfortable using the tools you prepared.” – CEO

HR Consulting

We assisted in creating a clear project plan, helped with the details of one-on-one meetings, and offered step-by-step guidance. From when to take breaks to what signs to watch for, every detail was covered.

Communication Planning

We designed a consistent, clear communication plan for both internal and external messages. Managers were given toolkits to help them navigate critical situations, ensuring they remained credible and honest.

“You gave us structure and tools, not just theoretical advice. We could adapt everything to fit our company culture.” – CEO

Why onTarget?

At onTarget, we’ve personally experienced and managed similar situations, so we know what works. We stay with leaders throughout the process and focus on what comes after. This isn’t just about delivering results; it’s about adopting a mindset that sees difficult situations as opportunities for success.

“Working with you was reassuring. Even though it was an unfortunate situation, I learned a lot and felt prepared, which motivated me.” – CEO

We’re grateful to our partner for their cooperation and openness. Their willingness to share this case study allows us to showcase the effectiveness of our complete and interconnected approach.