Infusing speed and flexibility in large traditional corporations

As wheels are spinning faster in industries many companies are challenged by a culture and operating model not fit for purpose. They experience a need for more FLEXIBILITY to enable continuous adoption to changing demands and market circumstances. And more SPEED to quickly pick up the pace and deliver what’s needed to be relevant and competitive. During transition they will inevitably experience obstacles and resistance to change. Amplified believes that some critical pitfalls and key success factors are:

1. An unclear and/or poorly communicated vision will be overrun by individual interpretations or ambitions, and create confusion and inefficiency as people are not working towards common goals. DO YOUR HOMEWORK AND NEVER UNDERESTIMATE THE NEED FOR COMMUNICATION.

2. Leaders not willing to contribute with decisions and efforts where the actual work is done will further increase confusion and an organizations ability to work towards common goals. HIERARCHY, CONTROL AND OLD WAY OF MAKING DECISIONS ARE GONE. ADJUST YOUR GOVERNANCE MODEL, CHOOSE YOUR LEADERS AND TEAM PLAYERS CAREFULLY. AND YES, BE PREPARED TO WALK THE TALK.

3. Your business plan will fail as soon as it hits the market. GET OUT OF THE BUILDING AND MEET USERS AND CUSTOMERS EARLIER THAN YOU FEEL COMFORTABLE DOING AND MAKE ”LEARNING” YOUR REAL MANTRA.

4. Form (as I’m filling out a template) before conclusions will not only slow you down, it will take you in the wrong direction. USE A COMMON WORKING PROCESS WISELY, TO SUPPORT PROGRESS AND SPEED BUT ALWAYS KEEP YOUR EYES ON THE BALL – WHAT DID WE LEARN? WHAT DO WE NEED MORE TO SUCCEED AND MOVE FORWARD?

5. As you focus on how to reach 2-digit growth and protect your (today) valuable brand, small and fiercely competitive companies are (today) pursuing smaller opportunities with bolder moves. BE READY TO TAKE SHORTCUTS AND RELEASE PRODUCTS EARLIER THAN YOU FEEL COMFORTABLE DOING FOR POSITION ON THE MARKET AND LEARN FROM MARKET REACTION AND USERS.

6. Same people in same working environment will most likely fall into old habits. PROMOTE PEOPLE EMBRACING THE NEW WAY OF WORKING AND BE PREPARED TO PROTECT THEM AS THEY WILL BE CAUGHT UNDER FIRE AND QUESTIONED NOT LEAST DURING VULNERABLE PHASES OF THE TRANSITION.

Do you agree or have other experiences to share?