How Detail Studio Found HR Support That Reflects Who They Are
As the Adelaide-based architecture firm Detail Studio grew, its directors found HR responsibilities harder to carry on their own.
Working with The Woohoo Co. gave them a trusted outside view, with guidance through difficult people decisions, implementing clear and current policies, and advice that complemented how the studio works. For Lisa Martin, it also means having people to turn to when leadership gets hard.
Meet Detail Studio
Detail Studio is a small, close-knit design studio led by Principals Lisa and Matt Martin. The team describes itself as a tribe and a family, and spends a great deal of time together.
In the early days, Lisa and Matt handled HR themselves, alongside everything else that comes with running a small business. As the studio grew, they realised they had neither the capacity nor the up-to-date knowledge to manage it well. A friend, also an architect, recommended Sue and Rebecca from The Woohoo Co.
Architecture & Design |Adelaide |HR Consulting & Advisory
Website link: https://detailstudio.com.au/
Team size: 10 (including Scooter the Chief Canine Officer!)
Founding year: 2007
Hear From Lisa
Lisa shares why Detail Studio values The Woohoo Co.’s kind, practical support, and what it means to have people she can speak to openly.
They’re kind ladies who come from a good place… If we connect with people like Rebecca and Sue, then we know that they’re listening to us and they’ve got our back.”
Lisa Martin, Principal, Detail Studio
Challenge
Balancing friendship and leadership in a small team
Balancing close team friendships with leadership proved challenging for Detail Studio’s directors, especially during sensitive HR situations. Seeking to handle tough decisions with clarity and care without compromising their values, they turned to The Woohoo Co. for expert, compassionate support.
Approach
Practical advice, delivered with kindness
Sue and Rebecca offered ongoing advice on people issues, HR policies, reviews, and sensitive employment situations, including redundancy. They met with Lisa and Matt to work through difficult decisions thoughtfully, acting as an external sounding board and helping the practice find responses consistent with its values and responsibilities.
Results
Lisa describes the studio's HR policies and principles as the most tangible organisational change. Staff have greater clarity on where to find current information, which alleviates any confusion about expectations. When she meets other directors, many are surprised that a studio of Detail Studio's size has an external HR consultant and these measures in place. For her, they show the studio is serious about looking after its people.
The partnership has also supported the directors' own development. Lisa says she and Matt have grown as directors, confident that their decisions are grounded in principles they share with Sue and Rebecca.
Clear policies and confidence in difficult decisions
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As the Adelaide-based architecture firm Detail Studio grew, its directors found HR responsibilities harder to carry on their own.
Let’s chat
Is your business growing, or are you working through a people or culture challenge? Talk to The Woohoo Co. about what your team needs and how we can support you.