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Projective Group’s company structure – Why flat is fabulous

Date:February 11, 2025

Being ‘Flat’ can be fabulous. Think of ‘Flat Stanley’; the bedtime story of a little boy squashed by a falling noticeboard became a worldwide bestseller.  Or more seriously, consider the powerful implications of a flat structure in your corporate setting. Projective Group, recent winners of the Golden Bridge Trade and Investment award for international growth and investment, are immensely proud of their flat structure.

Agreed, the model may not be for everyone as it presents challenges as well as distinct benefits for employees, clients, and senior management. But the decision to adopt a flat structure was an easy one for Projective Group as it aligns seamlessly with the group’s values of entrepreneurship, pragmatism, and selflessness. Let us consider each in turn.

The decision to adopt a flat structure was an easy one as it aligns seamlessly with the group’s values of entrepreneurship, pragmatism, and selflessness.

Entrepreneurship in the group’s flat structure allows individuals to make their voices heard. It empowers them to challenge the status quo and directly influence the company’s progress.

Stripping away layers of complexity and simplifying communications allows Projective Group to focus on delivering pragmatic solutions and creating an environment where employees collaborate, share expertise and prioritise collective growth over individual ambition is how they define selflessness.  The absence of titles promotes mutual respect and engagement.

Remaining agile

The famously flat structure allows Projective Group to remain agile and relevant in a fast-paced consultancy environment whilst also helping them to stand out from the crowd.

The benefits are clear.  Internally, the flat structure means that without multiple approval layers decisions can be made more quickly.  Without a hierarchy teams work better together.  Employees enjoy diverse responsibilities which in turn accelerate their professional development. 

Without a hierarchy teams work better together.

For clients, Projective Group’s flat structure allows them to respond rapidly to their needs and deliver fit-for-purpose solutions pragmatically.  Collaboration leads to creativity, and innovative ways to solve problems.  Clients also benefit from open and transparent communications with skilled consultants. 

Senior management too thrive within a corporate flat structure.  With less bureaucracy they are free to focus on long-term objectives.  Talking directly to all employees, regardless of role of experience, develops a deeper understanding of both the challenges and opportunities in any situation. 

Challenges of having a flat company structure

Admittedly, there are moguls to be negotiated on the ski-slope.   A flat structure can leave some employees unclear about their responsibilities and, if clear boundaries are not defined, they may inadvertently become overworked.  As a corporation grows, maintaining a flat structure will require careful planning, and you need to be aware that clients may sometimes struggle to identify who holds ultimate responsibility for outcomes in a project.

As a corporation grows, maintaining a flat structure will require careful planning.

Delegating operational tasks can prove tricky for senior management who may also find themselves having to become involved in delivering tasks that would normally be handled by middle managers. 

For every problem there is a solution.  Projective Group has, over two decades, learnt to respond to these challenges with initiatives that dovetail with their values.  The company has grown from a handful of senior consultants at launch in 2006 to more than 1.200 employees, grouped into four dedicated practices, with in excess of two hundred financial services clients across Europe.

Conclusion

Here is how it works:  In terms of entrepreneurship, employees are encouraged to take ownership while being provided with clear decision-making frameworks that avoid role ambiguity.  Communications and processes are kept simple and relevant, which leads to greater operational efficiency and a lower chance of work-overload when delivering pragmatic solutions.  Enjoying a culture of collaboration at Projective Group, employees can thrive in a safe and supportive environment without fear of failure. 

The flat structure works wonderfully for Projective Group, positioning it as a forward-thinking consultancy firm leading change in the financial services sector. 

It might just work for you too. Have a look at our open positions here.

About Projective Group

Established in 2006, Projective Group is a leading Financial Services change specialist.

We are recognised within the industry as a complete solutions provider, partnering with clients in Financial Services to provide resolutions that are both holistic and pragmatic.  We have evolved to become a trusted partner for companies that want to thrive and prosper in an ever-changing Financial Services landscape.