"May you live in interesting times"

The reputed Chinese curse "May you live in interesting times" is a fitting theme for our Autumn Newsletter.

In this past year alone we’ve seen a near collapse of the West’s banking system, revolution throughout the Middle East and the emergence of a new world order with China, India, Russia and Brazil in the ascendency.

I remember conducting one of the first Indian electricity privatisations in the State of Orissa in 1996. With its old temples and untouched way of life, the atmosphere was almost biblical. Who would have believed the growth and development seen in the short space of 15 years?

This edition addresses the key areas where change management helps through the 'interesting times':

• Why change management? – all sectors private and public are realigning to stay viable and thrive
• Unlocking the path to change – tried and tested, the Labovitch ‘8 Pillars of Change’ deliver results
• To challenge or not to challenge? - Unless you challenge the client you are unlikely to add value
• What do Change Managers do? – everything you want to know, but were perhaps reluctant to ask
• ‘May you find what you are looking for’ – the words of a second Chinese proverb

The illusion of security

I include a brief extract from Robert Kennedy’s Affirmation Speech, South Africa, 1966.

"Obstacles cannot be moved by those who cling to a present which is already dying, who prefer the illusion of security to the excitement and danger which comes with progress."

We hope you enjoy reading.

Leon Labovitch

Director Labovitch Consulting

Why Change Management?

If there’s one business activity increasing in today’s economy - its change management.  All sectors – private and public are realigning to stay viable and thrive.

Diagram shows the full range of change projects where we work.

• Complete restructuring – the business model is redesigned for ‘the new world’, to align core functions, operating companies and geographies
• Mergers and acquisitions – all strategic and practical steps to achieve successful mergers are invoked. Its difficult to implement M&A without change guidance
• Operational improvement – efficiency and effectiveness through process and systems improvement
• Business turnaround – finance is not enough to refloat a distressed company without organisational development
• Private Equity – portfolio companies going through change need guidance to avoid potentially damaging pitfalls. Theoretical and traditional strategic consulting often deployed - is not enough.

The 8 Pillars of Change

Through 17 years' experience of delivering change management we’ve put together the 8 Pillars - all expressed as easy to understand icons.

Every pillar is vital for successful change - engagement, creative expression, culture change - to name but a few.  It’s a great opportunity to approach change strategically but with the practical delivery skills and acumen for which Labovitch has become well known.

Each pillar is supported by detailed explanations and toolkits to help clients.

To find out more, please email info@labovitch.co.uk

To challenge or not to challenge?

Why is change management different from many other forms of consulting – process engineering, supply chain, systems integration?

Often working with the CEO and top team, you are tackling Pillars 1 & 2, - namely agreeing a high level plan and creating a business model for the new world.  These strategic steps are so important, they cannot be achieved through received wisdom without debate, challenge, discussion.

Is the top team leading from the front? Do they unequivocally back change and say so to the whole organisation?  Is their commitment reflected and conveyed in road shows, one to one discussions and video footage?  Do they engage with the workforce?

In a businesslike way challenge on the KPIs, business assumptions, culture and ways of working.  Do so and you’ll be respected for it, the cost of not challenging is too high, risking possible failure of the project.

What do change managers do?

I’m often asked “What do change managers actually do?” Ask no longer.  We illustrate above ‘what the change manager does’, and the benefits and value

‘May you find what you are looking for’

Set against the Chinese proverb ‘May you live in interesting times’ - finding what you seek is the best possible result.

Change is mostly about opening up new possibilities – not closing them down.  The path is not always smooth as there will be problems along the way.  The new organisation may be in place but the human factors of change to put the business into gear are essential – engaging with the audience, receiving feedback and instilling motivation.

Whereas many consultancies stop short of implementation, Labovitch Consulting thrives on change delivery. All our consultants are practical implementers with good business brains, high emotional intelligence and are skilled facilitators.

Recently we’ve implemented major change programmes in the offshore engineering industry worldwide, in the aggregates sector across the UK, in insurance in South Korea and Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs.

The guidance or sounding board of an experienced change manager can be the clincher in navigating a successful outcome and helping you find what you’re looking for.