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Our go-to-guide for business change:
tips and inspiration

When to start a business transformation

There is no one size fits all answer to this. It largely depends on the driving factors behind the change—whether it's market trends, regulatory deadlines, operational inefficiencies, or shifting customer demands. Timing also hinges on budget considerations and the organization's readiness to invest in the transformation.

What mistakes to avoid at transformation

The literature on transformation is abundant with valuable insights. However, we want to emphasise a critical yet often overlooked piece of advice: don’t try to do everything yourself. No one possesses all the answers or expertise needed for successful transformation. Instead, focus on building a diverse team of individuals who can contribute their unique knowledge and perspectives. Empower your team members to share their insights and take ownership of their areas of expertise. By fostering collaboration and leveraging collective strengths, you’ll not only enhance the quality of your decision making but also create a more engaged and motivated workforce.

How will a business transformation impact our people and culture

We wish more business leaders would ask this question and conduct a thorough impact assessment before initiating a change program. When a transformation isn't executed properly, it can disrupt sensitive power dynamics and potentially result in losing key talent and anchors within the organization. That's why we strongly recommend considering the effects on your current organizational structure, future roles and responsibilities, and focusing on how to build confident and collaborative teams throughout the change—even if such cohesion didn’t exist before.

How to secure employee buy-in

Every change program often brings initial disruption before improvements are realised. It's crucial to communicate this reality to your employees early on, as it fosters transparency, secures their buy-in, and builds trust in your leadership.
By setting clear expectations, you can help your team understand that short term challenges are a natural part of long term success. Setting up a communication plan and sending out newsletters is also a good way to influence narratives.

Mitigating transformation risks

Every transformation begins with setting a clear direction. If this initial step is missed, there’s a significant risk that the change program will fail to deliver the intended results. Ensuring adequate capital, expertise, and resources is critical for success. From the outset and throughout the program, thorough planning and continuous performance monitoring are essential. Identifying key risks and tracking potential issues are classic project management techniques that help mitigate challenges and keep the transformation on course.

How can a business transformation improve financial performance

Financial impacts can be measured across several key areas: cost efficiencies, return on investment (ROI), profitability, and cash flow. We collaborate closely with you to identify and refine the metrics that matter most to your business.

Where to start financial modernisation?
 
While upgrading your system may seem like the most straightforward solution, it's essential to first assess whether your business model and the role of the finance department have evolved. This analysis could provide you with a more accurate answer to your challenges. Before committing to a new system, take the time to thoroughly analyse your data and processes. Consider your customers, potential redundancies, and your organisational culture in a holistic manner.

Tips to ensure operational continuity
 

Avoid scheduling project go-lives or data/server updates during critical business events or financial closing periods. Ensure your business teams are adequately trained and equipped to handle parallel processing if necessary,

minimising disruptions and maintaining operational continuity.

How to manage conflicting business requirements

Continuously remind yourself of the reasons behind the change initiative and define the minimum viable product (MVP) you aim to achieve. Document your requirements clearly, assigning priorities and deadlines to each item. While it's common for new requirements to emerge as the project progresses, regularly revisiting your original requirements is essential for maintaining focus. Be sure to reprioritise based on your value chain to ensure alignment with your overall objectives.

How to meet deadlines

Carefully plan your project delivery resources by negotiating with implementation partners to ensure that dedicated consultants are consistently available throughout the project. Map out interdependencies and incorporate contingencies into your project plans to address potential risks. Be mindful of key business calendar events, including public and private holidays, training sessions, and financial reporting periods. Anticipate obstacles and setbacks, and be ready to adopt an agile approach when challenges arise, allowing for quick adaptations and solutions.

Where to start if you are a business start up?
 
Business start ups are vulnerable during their first 2 to 5 years due to lack of clear direction in market positioning, inadequate planning, and an underestimation of the time required to secure sufficient capital for stable operations. Statistics reveal that 50% of start-ups do not survive beyond their second year, with 42% failing to meet market needs and 29% encountering financing issues. It’s crucial to have a firm grasp of your numbers, understand your market and competitors, and prepare financially by familiarising yourself with budgeting practices.

Download your free start-up questionnaire to get started:

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