Long & Olsen

2009-10-21T23:30:00.001-07:00

2009-09-29T05:43:00.000-07:00

Long & Olsen is a company founded and managed by Anthropologist Long Litt Woon. The company was established in 2005.

The company's core areas are culture, organisation and diversity.

Anthropology, the study of human beings as bearers of culture, is at the centre of our methodology. It guides our style of working as we try to understand our clients on their own terms. We believe that the answers our clients seek can be found within their organisations and in the way they interact with their stakeholders and their surroundings. Our methodology allows us to facilitate the discovery of these answers. We work closely with our clients; their challenges and their capacities are at the centre of our collaboration.

We aim to work within an ethically sound framework and we believe in having frank discussions with our clients regarding the issues which matter most to them.

We deliver services to both the public and private sectors. Our aim is to deliver services on time and within budget.

Our goal to exceed client expectations is a constant source of inspiration.

Services

2007-08-06T12:02:00.000-07:00

We offer assistance in process design, research and evaluation, and training courses.

Process design and implementation
Examples of commissions: Design and implementation of processes for organisational change in conjunction with IT-implementation, mergers and acquisitions, process improvement, culture change, rightsizing etc.

Planning and facilitating group processes during kickoff and working seminars including large group interventions.

Mapping, reviews and evaluations
Examples of deliverables: Organisational culture mapping and organisational performance reviews.

We also do larger evaluations of government policy, on our own or together with selected partners. We are pleased to have competed successfully on large government tenders normally addressed to applied research institutes.

Training courses Examples:
Leaders: bearers of organisational culture
Gender equality and diversity
Change management and reorganisation
Cross-cultural communication
Facilitation skills
Organisational culture

The Manager as Change Leader

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Facilitation Skills

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Core Areas

2007-08-06T01:44:00.000-07:00

Culture

Culture crossing

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Organisation
Globalisation, increased competition and the pressure to be more effective and innovative has led to restructuring and reorganisation in both the private and public sectors. Change is the new constant. Internal improvement projects, often several at a time, are the rule of the day.

Organisations take high risks when they prefer to stay in their comfort zone and adjust to change at their own pace. Return on investment can be secured only when employees manage to "hang in there" and take ownership of strategic challenges. Change fatigue is often an additional problem.

Equality and diversity
Gender equality is often limited to a question regarding womens' rights and diversity is often defined in narrow terms and limited to e.g. questions regarding ethnic discrimination.

Discrimination is serious both for its victims and for society. Inequality is bad for business; recruiting from only part of the population does not make any sense. It is also discrimatory.

Taking gender equality and diversity seriously in the private sector can affect the bottom line. It is also a way of demonstrating corporate social responsibility.

In the public sector, the goal of equal treatment means that public services need to be adjusted to the needs of the whole population. In the last instance gender equality and diversity are about the effective use of public funds and democracy.

Formal equal rights are widespread but genuine equality is still a goal in most societies. We need equal opportunities for all in all areas of life.

Leading Diversity

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Clients

2007-08-06T01:40:00.000-07:00

Aker University Hospital, Aftenposten, American Field Service, City of Oslo (Norway), City of Stavanger (Norway), Council of Europe (Strasbourg, France), Norwegian Conservative Party (Høyre), Dagbladet, Du Store Verden!, Norwegian Labour and Welfare Organisation (NAV), Finance Sector Union of Norway, The Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (Switzerland), Hafslund, BI Norwegian School of Management, Norwegian Directorate of Integration and Diversity (IMDI), IOM International Organisation for Migration (Switzerland), Innovation Norway, King Baudouin Foundation (Belgium), Kulturbyrået Mesén, Norway's Contact Committee for Immigrants and the Authorities (KIM), Norwegian Association for Masters in the Science of Business, Norwegian Industrial Property Office, Norwegian Lawyers' Association, Norwegian Ministry for Church and Culture (KKD), Norwegian Ministry for Foreign Affairs (UD), Norwegian Tax Administration, Norwegian Taxpayers Association, Orion Pharma (Finland), Oslo Teknopol, Philips Lighting (Netherlands), Politiken (Denmark), Sariba Consulting, Steria, Socialist Left Party of Norway (SV), Telenor ASA, the Norwegian Nurses Union, the Union of Education Norway, the Employers’ Union NAVO, the Norwegian Water Resources and Energy Directorate (NVE), Winter Festival in Narvik, Women’s Economic Forum (Deauville, France) and the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI).

Testimonials: what our clients say about us
"I have collaborated with Woon on a research paper over the course of a year and continue to work with her on related projects. The most remarkable thing about Woon is her unusual combination of two distinct forms of intelligence, the academic and the practical. On the one hand, she is a genuine intellectual and on the other, she has a superb ability to analyse objectives and map out the discrete tasks that must be accomplished. She is loyal, energetic and committed and has a wonderful capacity for organizing staff and for steering them in the right direction."
Prof. Aristide Zolberg, University-in-Exile Professor of Political Science, The New School, New York.

"Woon's 100% satisfactory delivery of her facilitating role in this event does not allow any development needs to be identified. Empathy quickly established with participants; good understanding of client organisation needs (partly through previous experience with it) and willingness to take on board specific event-based needs and work constructively with all the organisational partners in particular the conference rapporteur; solid training skills combined with knowledge of the subject matter of the event."
Simon Tonelli, Head of Migration Division, Council of Europe (France)

"Woon comes with a well of varied experience from both public and private sector and brings to any discussion different and interesting perspectives based on her varied background as anthropologist, manager and executive. She is solution-oriented, analytical and extremely articulate, enabling her to present a case and an argument succinctly and convincingly. Woon provides an effective and safe way to solve a problem or map complex issues while providing possible ways forward."
Jon Lidén, Director of Communications, The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (Switzerland)

”You were clear and eloquent when talking on this subject (diversity and equality) in a down-to-earth and not overly academic manner."
Marianne Njøten, Personnel Director, Skatteetaten (the Inland Revenue Service)

”The first time I spoke to you I immediately sensed I was talking to a professional consultant. You are punctual, provide clear feed-back, behave in a professional manner and have a pleasant charisma."
Arne Kristian Langeland, Handelshøyskolen BI (BI Norwegian School of Management)

"The consultant did not take long to understand the task .... which was about changes that should be made to our work processes to improve our earnings. Through this she presented a recommendation which has been very useful to us. The consultant's personality, approach to the challenge and ability to present her findings, makes our management group better equipped to make the right decisions. We are very pleased with the result!"
Rune Johansen, Divison Manager, Hafslund Entreprenør AS

”Woon is easy to work and communicate with. A skilled professional with a contagious commitment. Structured and orderly. Woon has the ability to quickly grasp the task and arrive at a solution within a framework that satisfies the client's requirements in an efficient and independent manner."
Lars Bangen, Managing Director, Hafslund Entreprenør

”I appreciate Woon's ability to get people involved and motivated. Also her ability to be direct and constructive in her criticism. In addition, Woon has always been very focused on results and goals, which is very important."
Kristin Lian, Project Manager, ”Prosjekt Oppdrift” (Fra Forvaltning til Forretning), Viken Energi

”I do not think there has ever been a project like the "Andre Krav" project within the National Insurance Administration with so many challenges and claimants. The kickoff meeting was a success. It brought together working environments that will and can contribute to this reorganization process. ...The cost/benefit ratio of the measures are considered as very high."
Prof Jon Lereim, quality assurance, external consultant from PriceWaterhouseCoopers for Rikstrygdeverket (the National Insurance Administration)

"Woon was brought into the project at very short notice to help out. In a fabulous manner Woon managed to get the instructors - who had been given very little time to prepare - to make good and inspirational contributions. But first and foremost, through her program, Woon managed to create enthusiasm and motivation for future organizational changes. The evaluations from all participants gave us a 9.1 for the process design (out of 10) and 8.8 for usefulness (out of 10)."
Jan Christian Sandberg, Project Manager, Toll-og avgiftsdirektoratet (Directorate of Customs and Excise)

"She is very focused and neutral without being indifferent. She understands not only differences in cultures but also personalities and has an amazing way to get through those differences and turn them to the advantage of the process. It would have helped a lot to have her here a few months more".
Johanna Tõtterman, Vice-President, Orion Pharma (Finland)

Testimonials from former clients

2007-08-06T01:37:00.000-07:00

"Woon's 100% satisfactory delivery of her facilitating role in this event does not allow any development needs to be identified. Empathy quickly established with participants; good understanding of client organisation needs (partly through previous experience with it) and willingness to take on board specific event-based needs and work constructively with all the organisational partners in particular the conference rapporteur; solid training skills combined with knowledge of the subject matter of the event."
Simon Tonelli, Head of Migration Division, Council of Europe (France)

"Woon comes with a well of varied experience from both public and private sector and brings to any discussion different and interesting perspectives based on her varied background as anthropologist, manager and executive. She is solution-oriented, analytical and extremely articulate, enabling her to present a case and an argument succinctly and convincingly. Woon provides an effective and safe way to solve a problem or map complex issues while providing possible ways forward."
Jon Lidén, Director of Communications, The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (Switzerland)

”You were clear and eloquent when talking on this subject (diversity and equality) in a down-to-earth and not overly academic manner."
Marianne Njøten, Personnel Director, Skatteetaten (the Inland Revenue Service)

”The first time I spoke to you I immediately sensed I was talking to a professional consultant. You are punctual, provide clear feed-back, behave in a professional manner and have a pleasant charisma."
Arne Kristian Langeland, Handelshøyskolen BI (BI Norwegian School of Management)

"The consultant did not take long to understand the task .... which was about changes that should be made to our work processes to improve our earnings. Through this she presented a recommendation which has been very useful to us. The consultant's personality, approach to the challenge and ability to present her findings, makes our management group better equipped to make the right decisions. We are very pleased with the result!"
Rune Johansen, Divison Manager, Hafslund Entreprenør AS

”Woon is easy to work and communicate with. A skilled professional with a contagious commitment. Structured and orderly. Woon has the ability to quickly grasp the task and arrive at a solution within a framework that satisfies the customer's requirements in an efficient and independent manner."
Lars Bangen, Managing Director, Hafslund Entreprenør

”I appreciate Woon's ability to get people involved and motivated. Also her ability to be direct and constructive in her criticism. In addition, Woon has always been very focused on results and goals, which is very important."
Kristin Lian, Project Manager, ”Prosjekt Oppdrift” (Fra Forvaltning til Forretning), Viken Energi

”I do not think there has ever been a project like the "Andre Krav" project within the National Insurance Administration with so many challenges and claimants. The kickoff meeting was a success. It brought together working environments that will and can contribute to this reorganization process. ...The cost/benefit ratio of the measures are considered as very high."
Prof Jon Lereim, quality assurance, external consultant from PriceWaterhouseCoopers for Rikstrygdeverket (the National Insurance Administration)

"Woon was brought into the project at very short notice to help out. In a fabulous manner Woon managed to get the instructors - who had been given very little time to prepare - to make good and inspirational contributions. But first and foremost, through her program, Woon managed to create enthusiasm and motivation for future organizational changes. The evaluations from all participants gave us a 9.1 for the process design (out of 10) and 8.8 for usefulness (out of 10)."
Jan Christian Sandberg, Project Manager, Toll-og avgiftsdirektoratet (Directorate of Customs and Excise)

"She is very focused and neutral without being indifferent. She understands not only differences in cultures but also personalities and has an amazing way to get through those differences and turn them to the advantage of the process. It would have helped a lot to have her here a few months more".
Johanna Tõtterman, Vice-President, Orion Pharma (Finland)

About Us

2006-08-07T11:28:00.000-07:00

Phone +47 48270107
Email woon@long.no

My background
Line management experience in both public and private sectors:Former Director of the National Centre for Gender Equality in Norway, Head of Department at the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development and Manager with Deloitte Consulting, responsible for the change management business division in Norway.

Project and management consulting experience related to reorganization with IT implementation, M & A, process improvement, cultural change, downsizing, etc.

Insight into public administration and political processes, including experience from work in multilateral organizations such as the European Commission and the Council of Europe.

Independent expert.

International research experience.

Newspaper columnist.

Curriculum Vitae
My c.v.

Boards of Directors
I am currently a member of the following Boards of Directors:
http://www.nrk.no/about/
http://www.sv.uio.no/english/
http://www.maihaugen.no/en/
http://www.dansenshus.com/
http://www.migpolgroup.com/

List of publications
I publish regularly and am a member of the The Norwegian Non-fiction Writers And Translators Association (NFF). My list of publications is available upon request.

Some recent reports
An analysis of the concept "Likelihood of Return" in visitors' visas to Norway in connection with family visits. (2009)

An evaluation of the Norwegian programme for the resettlement of UN refugees. (1 May 2008)

A comparative study of integration potential as an additional selection criterion for the resettlement of refugees. (1 September 2007)

Visitors' visas in connection with family visits. Norwegian visa practice compared to a selection of Schengen countries. (1 March 2007)