Geoff Clarke, COO, IPG Mediabrands Australia
In a world where disruption is the new normal, an ability to adapt and evolve is no longer a luxury, but rather a necessity, does achieving meaningful change require companies to implement significant, periodic wholesale transformation programs?
Especially considering the time they take to reap the benefits, alongside the disruption to employees, clients and customers alike. Or is there another approach?
Challenging the Status Quo: The Power of Radical Change
“If I had asked people what they wanted, they would have said faster horses.”
Henry Ford
In this case Henry Ford understood that true innovation was only going to be achieved from pushing boundaries and introducing something entirely different. He recognised as the car was a new concept, people wouldn't have been able to fully grasp its potential.
It is important that businesses are proactive in identifying opportunities for innovation and pushing boundaries of what's possible. Often to create real and meaningful change you need to implement a huge and significant step change to improve the future of both company and its people. In essence, this quote reminds us that progress often requires a leap of faith and a willingness to challenge the status quo.
That said, can wholesale transformation that delivers real and meaningful change be achieved without overhauling the entire business end-to-end.
Perfecting the Process: Continuous Improvement
”To improve is to change; to be perfect is to change often.”
Winston Churchill
Churchill’s quote is a powerful statement about the nature of progress and perfection. "To improve is to change": highlights the fundamental connection between improvement and change. To get better, to evolve, to make progress, you must be willing to alter your approach, your methods, or your thinking, often. Stagnation leads to decline, while change, even if it's uncomfortable, can lead to growth. "To be perfect is to change often": This part addresses change at a higher level. It suggests that true perfection isn't a static state, but rather a dynamic process of continuous improvement. For organisations, to drive wholesale meaningful transformation leaders must constantly adapt, learn, and evolve. This implies that perfection is not a destination, but rather a journey of ongoing change.
From Moonshot to Everyday: How Continuous Transformation Drives Innovation
“Most companies ask how efficiently we can get to yes; Google’s Moonshot Factor X asks how efficiently they can get to no.”
Dr Astro Teller
To re-enforce the hypothesis of continuous transformation versus wholesale periodic transformation, further leanings can be obtained from a Simon Sinek podcast called ‘A Bit of Optimism’. In this podcast Sinek interviews Google’s Moonshot Factory X Innovation Chief Dr. Astro Teller about their program. The Moonshot Factory X is a diverse group of inventors and entrepreneurs who build and launch technologies that aim to improve the lives of millions, even billions, of people. Their goal: 10x impact on the world's most intractable problems, not just 10% improvement.
In that interview Dr. Teller says;
“How you work the sextant not how fast you row the boat is the most important thing.”
Dr Astro Teller
They discuss how many companies never have the time to complete projects right the first time but seemingly have the time to repeat the project when it did not work. To get around this problem Dr Teller explains how they decide which projects to pursue. Moonshot hypothesis, “most companies ask how efficiently they can get to yes, Factory X asks how efficiency can we get to no”. meaning they’re not afraid of churning through ideas, throwing them away with evidence to find the impossible. Now, not everyone has the luxury of working within the world’s biggest most renown think tank, however we can apply its principle.
To not only stay relevant, but rather thrive, companies must be willing to adapt their products, services, and strategies to meet evolving market needs often, every day. By fostering a culture that embraces small, frequent changes, companies can unlock a powerful engine for growth, innovation, and long-term success. This approach, rooted in continuous evolution, empowers organisations to navigate uncertainty with agility and resilience, ultimately leading to a more dynamic and adaptable business model.
To create such environment there are several strategies we can implement for fostering a culture of continuous incremental change:
- Embrace Experimentation: Encourage employees to try new things, even if they are small changes. Create a safe space for experimentation and learning from failures.
- Data-Driven Decision Making: Use data to track the impact of changes and make informed decisions about future improvements.
- Regular Feedback Loops: Implement regular feedback mechanisms to gather input from employees and customers. This helps identify areas for improvement ensuring changes are aligned with needs.
- Empowerment and Ownership: Give employees the authority to make decisions and implement changes within their areas of expertise. This fosters a sense of ownership and accountability.
- Celebrate Successes: Acknowledge and celebrate even small wins to reinforce the value of continuous improvement.
Creating this environment will of course have challenges:
- Resistance to Change: Some employees may resist change, fearing disruption to their routines. Address this by clearly communicating the benefits of change, involving employees in the decision-making process, and providing training and support.
- Lack of Resources: Implementing change requires resources, both financial and human. Prioritise changes based on their potential impact and allocate resources accordingly.
- Measuring Success: It can be challenging to measure the impact of small changes. Develop clear metrics to track progress and demonstrate the value of continuous improvement.
- Maintaining Momentum: It's important to keep the momentum going and avoid slipping back into old habits. Continue to encourage experimentation, celebrate successes, and reinforce the importance of continuous improvement.
In a world where disruption is the norm, the traditional approach of large-scale, infrequent transformation is increasingly becoming a liability. While these wholesale changes can be impactful, they often come with significant disruption and require lengthy periods to realise their full benefit. This leaves companies vulnerable to competitors who can adapt more quickly to evolving market demands.
Instead, companies should embrace a strategy of continuous transformation, fueled by small, frequent steps forward. This approach, inspired by the wisdom of Ford, Churchill, and Dr. Teller, allows for a more agile and responsive approach to innovation. By fostering a culture that embraces experimentation, data-driven decision-making, regular feedback loops, and employee empowerment, companies can unlock a powerful engine for growth and long-term success.
This journey of continuous improvement may face challenges, including resistance to change, resource constraints, and difficulty in measuring success. However, by addressing these challenges head-on and maintaining a consistent focus on progress, companies can navigate the ever-changing landscape of today's business world with resilience and agility. The key is to recognise that perfection is not a destination, but rather a continuous journey of adaptation and evolution. By embracing this principle, companies can unlock their true potential and thrive in the face of constant disruption.