More thoughts on businesses in transition... or Part Two.
Recently I wrote a blog on businesses in transition and quickly discovered that the topic was much bigger than a 500 to 750 word blog. In the spirit of what I started, this is the second in a series of thoughts on transition.
One of the considerations that I put forward was Business聽Transition due to internal factors.
As a working definition, this transition and change in the organization is driven by internal activities and initiatives by leadership and employees to build a more viable and successful business. This is the transition that conjures up the images of people like Jack Welsh, Andy Grove or Steve Jobs whose leadership and vision created great companies and brands (not to mention a great PR machine that made them household names in business).
There are a number of elements that are needed to support this type of transition successfully but unfortunately often get forgotten or dismissed when the organization is small, or if the organization is large, can be unwieldy, administratively onerous,聽or make the organization slow to react to what's happening outside the company.
The first two elements are components of planning; the development of long term and short term plans.
The long term plan looks at the direction of the organization over the next five years... this is the strategic plan that ensures the organization is aligned with its vision, and keeps an eye on longer term goals to ensure short term activities have the evolution of the organization heading in the right direction.聽
Discipline is needed to ensure that the planning process is part of the business calendar, is properly resourced, and is actively communicated throughout the organization as a priority. Experience has shown that there are two critical components to the planning process:聽
- A framework and process for planning:聽This will offer focus,聽context and a process for thinking when people meet around the table. I have always liked the McKinsey 7s model, and although a little long in the tooth, it has always worked to keep everything on topic and moving forward.
- A facilitator:聽You need someone designated to manage the planning process and ensure you end up with the deliverables... this also allows leaders the white space to develop their thinking, instead of focusing on the process.
The third element is the review of the people in your organization.
This is extremely important because people "run everything".
The forth element is having robust operating mechanisms to manage the business.
In other words, have a project and meeting calendar to execute the plans, and manage the workings of the business in an organized and on-going way. There is always a balance needed between not enough projects and meetings and having too many projects and meetings; in both cases nothing really gets done. What you are looking for is the perfect number of meetings and projects to successfully get things done...聽there are two main contributors to being effective,聽and that is leadership and having the resources available to get things done.
The fifth element is having as much transparent communication as possible. 聽
- Communicate the vision, the plans, what needs to be done, how things are going, etc. as much as possible.
- 聽Work out the mechanisms as to how you are going to get your message out there and as deep into the organization as possible (town halls, quarterly reviews, team meetings, 1:1s)
The six element is a culture of urgency, meritocracy,聽respect, and curiosity.
This is the formula for success in my experience.
Can any of this guarantee success as you transition your business... unfortunately not.聽Although, not doing it, can almost guarantee difficultly through the natural transition of a business. And this isn't even before you consider external and revolutionary transition.
Not to worry, we will get to that soon enough.
iamgpe
""""
Articles from Graham馃悵 Edwards
View blogThis timeline may not be particularly accurate, but I believe it鈥檚 directionally sound and I鈥檓 almos ...
I recently set up my new workspace and decided to unpack some boxes I had labelled office eight year ...
Before I take you on a metaphorical journey, I wanted to mention two very important truisms that I w ...
You may be interested in these jobs
-
Dessinateur路rice structure/civil
Found in: Talent CA C2 - 3 days ago
G茅nitique Saguenay, Canada PermanentNous sommes 脿 la recherche d'une personne talentueuse en dessin de structure, pour renforcer notre 茅quipe Notre engagement : te mettre au c艙ur de projets stimulants pour que tes connaissances techniques, ta comp茅tence et ton talent rayonnent. 路 VOICI LE PROFIL QU'ON RECHERCHE : 路 ...
-
Financial Planner
Found in: Talent CA 2 C2 - 6 days ago
BMO Saint George, CanadaApplication Deadline: 路 05/10/2024 路 Address: 路 9 Beverly Street W 路 Job Family Group: 路 Retail Banking Sales & Service 路 Provides financial and investment planning and advice to deliver a solution in the best interests of the customer. Determines client needs and provides solu ...
-
project manager, construction
Found in: Talent CA 2 C2 - 2 days ago
Medico Construction & Design Ltd Richmond, CanadaEducation: 路 Exp茅rience: 路 Education 路 College/CEGEP 路 Tasks 路 Prepare and submit construction project budget estimates 路 Plan and prepare construction schedules and milestones and monitor progress 路 Prepare contracts and negotiate revisions, changes and additions to contractua ...
Comments
Graham馃悵 Edwards
7 years ago #1
Thanks Ren\u00e9e Cormier. Look forward to your next post.