INTRODUCTION This application will introduce you to two internet-based consulting and training organizations that offer a variety of specialized services organizations can use to improve their competitiveness. The Belgard Group helps organizations improve their profitability by tapping the potential of its human resources. The other organization, ChangeTechnologies, aids businesses in redesigning work processes and implementing high-involvement team practices. The importance of human resource management in meeting the needs for today's organizations to adapt to an increasingly competitive and global business environment is discussed in Chapter 3 of French's Human Resource Management, 4th ed.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES
Having successfully completed this application, you will be able to:

• Identify each of the phases that improve organizational performance via strategic transformation process.
• Identify the dimensions on which team leaders and team members can assess the maturity level of their group.
• Identify several different types of training programs that are available for improving organizational performance.
• Explain how an organization can use redesigned, high-performance work teams as a strategy to increase flexibility , respond to customer orders, and improve output.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS AND ASSESSMENT QUESTIONS
Instruction 1: Access the following web site http://www.belgard.com and locate "Strategic Business Transformation " and answer Question 1.
Question 1: How does a Strategic Business Transformation begin?

Instruction 2: Review Team Tools.
Question 2: What are the Team Tools?

Instruction 3: Return to the Belgard Goup's home page and click on "Our Consulting Services. Review the material presented and answer Question 3.
Question 3: What are the 8 Consulting Services available from the Belgard Group for improving organizational performance? Briefly describe each.

Instruction 4: Access the following web site: http://www.hrhub.com/storefronts/changetech/.html and follow to Change Technologies website. Answer Questions 4 and 5.
Question 4: In what does ChangeTechnologies specialize?
Question 5: How does ChangeTechnologies improve organizational performance?
(Hint: Click on "Services" for relevant information.)

Instruction 5: Click on "Case Study." . Review the information presented and answer Question 6.
Question 6: What happened to production in lines of two of the plants and how was this accomplished?

Instruction 6: Click on "Clients." Review the information presented and answer Question 7.
Question 7: Does ChangeTechnologies help clients to develop team-based bonus plans?