Transformation has something to do with technology but actually...

Everything to do with behaviour.

Throughout the three years of working with agile, digital, IT operation teams and innovationists there is a pattern that keeps being repeated.

The technology is not fit for purpose..

Now, I say this with a bit of tongue and cheek because the business all have this push back when teams are not adopting the new systems. They find reasons not to change the way they already work, implement new processes or to spend time testing the new system.

Anyone who works in IT knows that although you work tirelessly to influence, deliver to the “needs” of the business and push the benefits of having a new system implemented. The battle is never won and adjustments to the new system are inevitable, which makes buying off the shelf systems impossible!

Proven in this article here - https://www.trinityp3.com/2017/03/problem-with-digital-transformation/

So what if you did things the other way round?

Understanding the key behaviours that drive the business to operate successfully. Not what they think they need, not what they know will help them but actually what supports the culture (which is unpinned by behaviours) or key drivers of the businesses success.

If you are trying to influence a leader who has very little trust in technology or processes generally, a freedom seeker who is visionary and dictatoresq why talk about the financial benefits of changing IT systems? 

Certainly supported by DisruptiveHub - https://disruptionhub.com/digital-transformation-new-tech-platforms-katz-kiely/

Also consider if you have leaders who like to be in control of everything all the time, telling them that this system will eradicate lots of the manual work they have to do, will throw them off-kilter.

No one likes tasks taken away from them if it helps them feel in control.

In short, If transformations started with understanding the current cultural climate, people’s openness to learning new things and the current leadership styles or behaviours your transformations would run in this order;

Understanding current – Culture, Leadership behaviour/style and climate for change – internally & externally if you deliver to customers/clients/integrators

People – Who, what, when, how and skills liquidity.

Process – Improvements, efficiency, adherence and gaps.

Technology – Criteria/capabilities , design or selection and implementation plans etc etc

Why shop for something you think everyone needs or even you believe is needed when actually you can successfully, with ease and little disruption, deliver transformation when you deliver what everyone wants.

The best way I can strengthen my point is by applying it to the most basic of tasks we all do.

You go shopping for something you need, like food or soft furnishing and come back with something you do not need. This could be a state of the art juicing machine or another one of those comfy throws to go on the sofa.

People do not want what they need, they want what they want and sometimes they do not know what that is until you take the time to understand exactly what that is..

Start transforming with understanding first and never last.

Heather Egginton (AKA The Firestarter)

The Real Executive Coaching Co.

#mindfoundations