5 insights from transforming businesses

The key to transforming businesses I have found is to try to do the minimum to get the maximum results. This might sound  obvious but many consulting interventions appear to be very intensive, expensive and often with disappointing results.

So how does this minimalist approach  work?

1  Work with the owner and or CEO.  The key player needs to fully support the transformation process in both words and deeds. Whenever we were trying to improve my number 1 client of a few years back, Keepmoat Terry Bramall the owner at that time, would always be actively involved. This demonstrated to the team that this was a serious project.

2  Start with the strategy. If there is a robust shared strategy (most don't have one when I first meet a new client) then it should be easy to identify the 3 or 4 things that need to be addressed to transform the business.  There is never more than 3 or 4 and this makes it doable. If there is no real strategy, maybe just a financial forecast and hope, then my first job is always to help them get one.

3  The next step is to carefully select small teams to work on the identified 3 or 4 issues. Each one needs a champion to lead them with a cross section of people and skills. the key is to pick people who are up for it and want to impress. It can be an opportunity to develop some younger people who bring energy and fresh thinking to the project. I normally facilitate these teams agreeing ground rules,  a plan of action and then celebrate successes and learning's. When it works well the teams usually produce results way beyond expectations.

4  Bring innovation into the process by asking: Who does this the best in the world? There is no point reinventing the wheel and its a great idea to borrow the wisdom of others. A key insight is that the real breakthroughs always come from looking outside the existing industry. Why? the industry norms have got the business to where it is therefore breaking the norms holds great potential. For example several years ago Keepmoat, a construction business, introduced the buying methods from major retailers and this had a significant impact on its profits.

5 Finally keep it simple and focussed, work at pace and make it fun and with a fair wind you to can produce transformational results way beyond your expectations. I currently have 6 clients going through this process right now and fingers crossed they all are making good progress.