What is the main Barrier to Business Transformation?

I am so often asked what I believe is the main barrier to a Business Transformation project.

The most common barrier to Business Transformation, based on the many projects I have worked on over many years, and continues to raise its head, is 𝗽𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗯𝘂𝘆𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲 Business Transformation will inevitably bring. The question that I am consistently asked is “How can we ensure people buy into our vision for the future?”.

People throughout the business need to understand and recognise, at the very early stages of the program, the need for change and why. Involving people at the start of the journey outlining your strategy and vision and how it will impact positively on people personally and the company, will have a huge impact on buy-in and belief that this is really is the right thing to do.

What’s in it for me? Why should I agree?” The two most commonly asked questions, and understandably so, when most people faced with change feel vulnerable due to the potential impact on them. Building their understanding, buy-in and engagement at the beginning will result in them becoming your strongest advocates as you take the rest of the organisation through it.

Also, identify and engage key voices in the company. They must truly believe in this change. This is not necessarily just the CEO, or the Senior Management Team. Find out who are the experienced operatives with influence. They are the people their colleagues respect and listen to, and they are the right individuals to be your change champions. You need to pick out the potential problem individuals and make them a part of your solution

Once you engage with key voices they become Change Champions from the start and can reiterate the benefits of your Business Transformation program to their colleagues and address, in a timely manner, any doubts that arise as the Program evolves.

By proactively managing this barrier, and taking a strategic approach to implementation, you can ensure that your Business Transformation will bring about the change you are looking for to drive your business forward.

Your comments and feedback are always very welcome. Please contact Thames Transformation Partners – we will be delighted to hear from you.

Our next post will discuss the key role of ‘Operational Readiness in Business Transformation’.