Accelerated Cultue Change

- How to speed up behavioural change to keep pace with technology development.

Do you recognise this situation? Issues Culture change takes a long time. The rate of technology change often exceeds the rate of change in organisation culture. IT and other technology projects do not generate their projected business benefits. They are often surpassed by new technology before they reach their full potential.

What can you do about it?

The organisation culture needs to change simultaneously with or ideally before the introduction of new technology.

How:

Identify key aspects of culture that can be changed relatively fast:

• Organisation and command structures, management style, communication, definition of jobs, staff characteristics and skills tend to be crucial.
  
• Concentrate on management and staff behaviour and attitudes.
  

Run the culture change as an integrated programme with technology change:

• Active programme and project management is important, as are pilot schemes,
  
• Use some workshops plus plenty of hands-on instruction to and discussions with the front line.
  
• Communicate, communicate and communicate again. Listen to user input.
  

Aim for a positive management system that is lean and keen but not mean:

• Introduce performance management and rewards that reinforce desired changes.
  
• Do not expect significant changes at grassroots' level if you do not change at the top.
  

Performance Partners:

• Help busy management teams to integrate culture and technological change.
  
  
• Know how to achieve quick and sustainable change in behaviour and attitudes.
  
  
• Provide active leadership of programmes and projects.
  
  
• Coach local management and their staff hands-on on the shop floor or at the office.
  
  
• Do not expect your staff to spend weeks in workshops.
  
  
• Prefer to start the culture change early, but also do "project rescues" when required.