Change and Technology

Welcome to the latest update from Get Real Change. We work with public, third and private sector organisations to make a difference, creating change in a way that empowers and excites. Please do get in touch at any time to discuss our approaches and whether we could help your programmes and change goals.

This month we explore technology and its relationship with change.

Cloudbusting Podcast

Recently, we were featured on Cloudbusting a technology based podcast from Cloudreach (Cloud Solutions Provider). We met Dave and Jeff in early 2020 and they really wanted to explore the change management elements of introducing technology into organisations. The podcasts features one of our co-founders Laura Copas as well a series of jokes and TSRs (Ten Second Recommendations). Listen to the fun on episode 87 - ‘Compliance or Commitment? Guiding your team through complex change.’

Technology - shifting our own operating models

"I think there is a world market for maybe five computers."

Thomas Watson, chairman of IBM, 1943.

The pace of technology-driven change is faster than it’s ever been. If you’re not convinced, think about what’s changed in our lives in the past decade:

• Smart Phones – The first smartphone (iPhone) launched in 2008, and now there are 3.5 billion worldwide.

• Electric cars – from a few hundred vehicles sold in 2010 to an estimated 300,000 this year. Tesla was the best-selling car brand in the UK in April; its first car sold in 2008.

• Voice Assistants (Siri, Alexa) –  didn’t exist as consumer products - now three billion devices are in use.

• Contactless Payments – no mainstream banks offered this Now there are 750 million contactless transactions every month in the UK.

• Airbnb reached the UK in 2009, as did Spotify; Uber arrived in 2012, as did Netflix.

These changes are now part of our every day lives. They represent a shift in our own operating model as people. The pace of change is similar for organisations; built on progress in cloud services, automation, big data, blockchain, machine learning and more. This Financial Times article underlines the trend: https://www.ft.com/content/b1da2ef0-eccd-11e3-a57e-00144feabdc0

No sector is immune. Organisations in all sectors, including public services, must embrace new technology to enhance how they operate and improve products and services for their customers, patients and communities they serve. Organisational operating models are being challenged and having to shift to optimise use of technology and keep up with the competition. Get Real Change services can help organisations deliver results rapidly and redesign operating models.

Adapting to the Covid-driven environment has played its part, but it’s not the only factor. Law firm Squire Paton Boggs recently published this interesting broader view: https://www.squirepattonboggs.com/-/media/files/insights/publications/2020/08/the-pace-of-change-covid-19-accelerating-automation/pace-accelerating-automation.pdf

Unprecedented Digital Transformation in the NHS during Covid 

We recently spent time with senior leaders talking about digital transformation in NHS provider trusts. What we found during the early stages of the crisis was astounding. Unprecedented progress, driven by high levels of adoption for technologies that had previously only been used by a small number of innovators.

Our blog draws together themes and critical lessons from this research: ‘Digital Transformation – Lessons Learned during the Covid Crisis’.

The lessons are generally universal, and these features are seen in other industries as the constraints of lockdown forced a shift to specific technologies. The human elements; purpose, culture, mindsets and behaviours fuelled the pace, but the challenge is now how to sustain and build on progress made?

Pure technology investment on their own rarely leads to transformation. For that, a broader set of human, cultural, process and structural changes are needed. This transformation is where we can help. We are experienced in supporting organisations to make the cultural changes necessary to achieve sustainable digital transformation that delivers clear outcomes.

Later this month, we are running an interactive workshop with the Change Management Institute to explore the impact culture has on change initiatives. To join us, please sign up here: https://www.change-management-institute.com/node/128031

If you’re interested in a virtual workshop to find out more about our research and how it could apply to your strategic aims, please get in touch: steve@getrealchange.co.uk.

Digitally Enabled Transformation

Digital change programmes can too often focus on the technology, not the human elements that enable results. To create successful transformation, technology needs; a clear organisational strategy, supporting culture and capabilities, staff and customer engagement, as outlined in Harvard Business Review: https://hbr.org/2019/03/digital-transformation-is-not-about-technology.

Pharma giant Roche’s Financial and Operational Director in Hong Kong highlights the social challenges, and the opportunities – such as embracing servant leadership -  that we regularly observe in all types of change, here: https://www.fm-magazine.com/news/2020/aug/directing-change-management-in-automation-projects.html

That’s why we prefer the term, digitally-enabled transformation. On its own, technology is nothing. It can only optimise value, in a supportive culture.

Virtual meetings and events are a good 2020 example. Many organisations have moved to this for the first time, or increased the volume so it’s now the natural and default way of working. Those benefiting most from virtual meetings have taken into account a comprehensive set of issues, rather than just channel-shifting face to face interaction online. For example, more health and wellbeing support, involving colleagues more actively, and changing meeting etiquette are critical to technology adding value.

Some helpful thoughts on virtual meetings from the Nonprofit Technology Conference: https://www.nten.org/article/9-best-practices-engagement-virtual-meetings/

We know technology that changes organisations and people’s lives for the better still has human interaction at its heart. Its why councils, Government Digital Services and the NHS make user-centred service and system design a priority. And why Microsoft client teams include behavioural architects.

Effective change and adoption are essential to tech as any other transformation. Please do get in touch to find out how we’ve helped organisations embrace new technology - improving how they work and optimising their staff and service users’ experience.

And finally...

It seems that everything is going online. The latest we’ve seen is Kettlewell Scarecrow Festival and it’s not just some pictures of Scarecrows, it’s a full-on experience. It’s the perfect place to go when it’s raining. We love it – visit now at https://www.kettlewellscarecrows.uk/

Thanks for your time and stay safe. 

Laura & Steve

Our mission is to help people and organisations make a real difference, creating change in a way that empowers and excites. Contact us if you want to discuss how to bring energy and pace to your digitally enabled change initiatives.

If you would like to discuss any of the challenges you are facing, please get in touch  laura@getrealchange.co.uk or steve@getrealchange.co.uk.