Meeting business and technical requirements is important, but to what extent is your organization ready to accept the changes that your new initiative will introduce? In my work with global clients I’ve identified three critical elements that govern the success or failure of these initiatives:
- Diet: How much is risk-taking accepted, encouraged, and rewarded?
- Taste: How much does past experience support or undermine the changes that will be introduced?
- Appetite: To what degree do people see their jobs getting easier as a result?
Like we (should!) do with our eating habits, we should create a change program that respects the diet, taste, and appetite of the organization – or changes those elements if needed – to ensure maximum health. Only when you and your organization are in good health can you maximize your success and capitalize on unforeseen opportunities.