Kevin Pashuk

7 years ago · 2 min. reading time · 0 ·

Blogging
>
Kevin blog
>
The Two Things that Drive Organizational Change.

The Two Things that Drive Organizational Change.

ba61ab7d.jpg
I'm going to let you in on a secret.

In all my years of helping organizations implement significant change, there was always one of two factors present when the entire organization would rise to the challenge to bring about change.

I'm not talking about a minor change.

I'm talking about redirecting resources, changing project schedules, and adopting a new operational model. I'm talking permanent, lasting change.

As an IT leader who is expected to be an agent of change, wouldn't it be useful to know what these factors are?

The two factors that will ensure that organizations will support change are:

  • Fortuitous disaster,
  • Timely legislation

In the case of disasters, we may not have any warning but when they strike, it is important to restore services as quickly as possible.

In the case of legislation, there is usually warning, but the impetus to actually do anything is predicated on being caught not in compliance.  There's nothing like an audit to spur organizations into action.

I don't mean to wish bad destructive events or bureaucracy on anyone (but then I am repeating myself) but both things can happen at any time and are certainly not part of our project Gantt chart.

The wise IT leader has learned to leverage these events and use them to their organization's advantage.

This is not about taking advantage of insurance coverage.  Rather, it is about seizing the opportunity to get some key decisions made quickly while everyone's attention is focused on resolving the issue , whether it is a flood or an audit.

You will never have a better time to get key decisions made about such things as disaster recovery options, electronic record management, compliance, employee skill sets, documentation, and a whole host of other topics.

Have a bucket list ready.

Know what you would do if disaster hit.  How would you rebuild?  Would it be identical to what you have now?  What would be different?

Know the gaps in your compliance.  I know that most organizations would publicly state they are always in full compliance with ALL legislation, the people in the trenches know about the work-arounds and current practices that would likely be picked up in an audit.

If you are prepared, then you can call disasters 'fortuitous' and legislation 'timely'.... because you know that all the key decision makers are waiting for you to tell them what needs to be done from a technology perspective.

How about you?  Have you found disasters to be fortuitous?


________________________________________________________________________________

Image: Licensed under Creative Commons

Note: This post has been previously published by the author on LinkedIn.

About the Author:

f36d576d.jpgI'm the Chief Information Officer for Appleby College, in Oakville, Ontario Canada, where my team is transforming the delivery of education through innovative application of technology.

I'm convinced that IT leadership needs to dramatically change how IT is delivered rather than being relegated to a costly overhead department.

In addition to transforming IT in my role as CIO, I look for every opportunity to talk about this... writing, speaking and now blogging on BeBee (https://www.bebee.com/@kevin-pashuk) , LinkedIn, ITWorld Canada, or at TurningTechInvisible.com.

I also shoot things... with my camera. Check out my photostream at www.flickr.com/photos/kwpashuk




""
Comments

Kevin Pashuk

7 years ago #6

#10
There is a great difference Erroll -EL- Warner between how things SHOULD be vs. how they really are. My advice is for my colleagues in organizations that are hindered by their decision making ability. Leveraging the dynamics of a disaster or legislation to get decisions made is a very useful tool in the toolbox. Thanks for commenting.

Kevin Pashuk

7 years ago #5

#8
Fully agree Carolyn Kiel!

Mohammed Abdul Jawad

7 years ago #4

Yes, so well you have jotted down those two pivotal factors. Here's a recent company story: an ailing management, with their own self-styled financial affairs, was solely responsible for the collapse of the company. Immediately, one of the partners, with least shares but with more expertise, took the charge for timely audit. Yes, there was a disaster, and the right solution was an audit. Now, the perfect decisions will be based on the audit outcomes.

Gert Scholtz

7 years ago #3

Kevin Pashuk Insightful and to my mind very accurate Kevin. In the world where I work I often see and experience what you state: "There's nothing like an audit to spur organizations into action." Related to this I would add " Nothing motivates like a deadline".

Kevin Pashuk

7 years ago #2

I'm glad you got through your career without disasters Randy Keho... I've had floods, key people leaving suddenly, major ice storms that have shut down the town... but in Canada all of our natural disasters are superceded by the propensity of our government to introduce new legislation... usually for very good reasons, but way over the top in requirements for adherence. My daughter is a Federal Crown Attourney (similar to a District Attorney in your world) and my wife is a probation officer. My father is a retired policeman. I can assure you that being a crook may not be as lucrative as you think... Being a maverick at work however, won't instill an interaction with law enforcement.

Randy Keho

7 years ago #1

Don't recall any diasters, other than the daily ones. Never a shortage of audits, though. They were always internal. So, we always got a heads up. I'm sure if they were from outside sources or a surprise, like they were supposed to be, there would have been some major changes in staffing. Not bragging, but my facility, even with a heads up, never passed an audit until they made me responsible. They didn't mean anything, anyway. If you failed, all you got a smudge on your report card. You know me, I can always find a way to beat a the system. I should have been a crook.

Articles from Kevin Pashuk

View blog
6 years ago · 3 min. reading time

I've often shared the story of one of most productive meetings I've ever been part of. · Early in my ...

6 years ago · 3 min. reading time

The best advice I ever received when I was looking to start a consulting business was this: · “To gu ...

6 years ago · 3 min. reading time

I'm a nice guy. · Or at least I've been told. · I do have things that make me unique. · I'm musical ...

Related professionals

You may be interested in these jobs

  • Canadian Western Bank

    Manager, Reconciliation

    Found in: beBee S2 CA - 2 weeks ago


    Canadian Western Bank Edmonton, Canada Full time

    At CWB , we strive to build value for the people who choose us every day: our people, our clients and our investors. We do this by:Putting people first and building relationships with intention · Seeking out and embracing new ideas · Believing that how we do things is as importa ...

  • CISSS de la Montérégie-Ouest

    conseiller.ère en bâtiment

    Found in: Talent CA C2 - 1 day ago


    CISSS de la Montérégie-Ouest Delson, Canada Permanent- temps complet

    Description · : DESCRIPTION · Personne qui assume la responsabilité de la réalisation des projets de construction, de rénovation, de conservation et d'aménagement d'installations. Elle rencontre les clients internes afin de bien cerner les objectifs reliés au projet. · Elle orga ...

  • Military Medical Personnel

    Dental Nurse

    Found in: Talent CA C2 - 6 days ago


    Military Medical Personnel Windsor, Canada

    Dental Nurse - Windsor Dental Centre - hours · Ref : LS6275 · Dental · Start Date :ASAP · End Date :29 Mar 2024 · Dental Nurse - Essential Requirements: · •Fully registered with the General Dental Council (GDC) without restrictions. · •Must hold valid suitable and appropriat ...