Ex-Big Four consultant gives tips on mobilising transformation and change programmes

Whether you’re in management consulting, programme, product, delivery management, or running your own startup, there are some key things that always remain…key! It sometimes means the difference between succeeding or falling short. I’ve had a good few (8+) years experience of successfully delivering transformation programmes. All these programmes have been high impacting and a top strategic priority for the c-suite. Despite the different objectives of each programme e.g. integrating Sainsbury’s clothing brand Tu into Argos’ digital and physical footprint or, outsourcing low value transactional finance activity offshore to India, there are some themes that I’ve become accustomed to when mobilising new programmes. Any role which requires delivering, influencing and leading change should keep the following tips in mind.

Know your key players

Know who your key players are and create a heat map to ensure you’re bringing them into the conversation as soon as possible. Provide them with the right level of visibility and be clear on what they care about the most. To embed any sustainable change you need to get buy-in from stakeholders. Good stakeholder management and influencing skills is key to most roles. When leading and managing change, these skills should be your best friends (if…