How to Plan and Prepare for Change
“We need to digitally disrupt. We need to launch the moon. We have a category killer that we think is going to change the world. We need to bring that to market without cushions and explode it in a way that our customers are going be super stoked about.” - Ashlee Aldridge, CEO, Reach Partners
A successful transformation starts with setting the right expectations. You need to be clear about what should happen and when. It's also important to get buy-in from your team and visualize the outcome. Below, we'll unpack our top tips on setting expectations for your transformation project.
Setting Transformation Expectations
CEOs are under pressure to constantly transform their businesses, but what does that actually mean? And more importantly, what are the expectations for transformation? Below, we'll explore those questions and provide some tips on how to manage transformation expectations. By understanding and managing expectations, you can ensure that your transformations are successful.
1. Set expectations on what should happen and when.
When embarking on a new project, it is crucial to set clear expectations from the outset. This means clearly understanding what needs to be accomplished and when it needs to be done. Without this clarity, it is too easy for projects to get derailed.
2. Double down on the visualization of the outcome.
In addition to setting clear expectations, it is important to visualize the desired outcome. This helps to keep everyone focused on the goal and prevents scope creep. A clear and achievable vision will also help get your team's buy-in.
3. Be clear for the customer, associate, and technologist.
It is also important to be clear with all stakeholders – customers, associates, and technologists. This ensures that everyone knows the requirements and can provide input accordingly. This also allows for better collaboration and coordination.
4. Ensure that everybody at every level knows what they're marching towards.
Finally, ensure that everybody at every level knows what they need to do to achieve the desired outcome. This means that you need to ensure that everyone understands the goals, objectives, and KPIs. This level of clarity is essential for ensuring that the transformation is successful as it prevents confusion and ensures that everyone is working towards the same goal.
Final thoughts
A successful transformation requires clear expectations and buy-in from your team. By setting transformation expectations and visualizing the outcome, you can ensure that everyone is on the same page and marching towards the same goal.
