WHY IS THERE SUCH A HIGH FAILURE RATE IN BUSINESS TRANSFORMATION TODAY?

The true number of business transformation project failure is underreported. Depending on which research you follow, the figure is between 70% – 80% of business transformation projects end in failure. There is five (5) main causes in business transformation failure are – lack of stakeholder involvement, lack of senior stakeholder support, changing requirement, incomplete requirements and poor planning.

WHAT IS WRONG WITH EXISTING APPROACHES?

Nothing. They are good at the purpose they were designed for, except they are now used for a different purpose, and that is not the original purpose they were designed for. Look at TOGAF® (The Open Group Architecture Framework) for example – it’s a framework for managing ‘technology’ or ‘technology changes’. It is not surprising, it was written by a “technology standards company”. They know and understand technology. What is happening is, TOGAF® is being used in business transformation projects that the ‘framework’ to manage the ‘transformation’, but it only focuses one thing – technology. It doesn’t focus on anything else other than Technology (it almost completely ignores, the other two (2) important aspects of the organisation – People, and Process(es)). It also ignores how to transition the business from the current state, to its desired future state. It effectively put the Technology stakeholders in the drivers set, to dictate to the Business what they think they want and literally throw it over the fence to the Business for them to work out if first it is fit for purpose, and then how to use and implement it.

HOW DOES HOBA® SOLVE THE PROBLEM IN BUSINESS TRANSFORMATION TODAY?

HOBA® solves the 70% failure rate in business transformation problem by addressing the causes that problem in the first place – by putting the Business back into control, to take control back from Technology and into their own hands, using a structured process and framework that was developed WITH the Business, BY the Business, to be USED and OWNED by the Business, putting the control back into their own hands.

WHAT IS THE BIGGEST PROBLEM WITH BUSINESS TRANSFORMATION PROJECTS AND HOW DOES HOBA® HELP?

The biggest problem with business transformation projects is firstly the name. “Business Transformation” is incorrectly called or referred to as “Digital Transformation”. ‘Digital Transformation’ is a misnomer, it is not ‘digital’ per se that is ‘transforming’, it is the ‘Business’ that is transforming, and how it does or is doing that in this period of time is via ‘digital technologies’ (if ‘technology’ isn’t already digital, what were they before?). What this intentional confusion in the marketplace is causing, is it causes is an incorrect bias and focus on the ‘technology aspect’ only of the transformation, which by doing so completely ignores the Business aspects – that’s the Business Operations Stakeholders and their concerns, and the Processes those stakeholders carry out. HOBA® helps by putting the Business back in to control, to be very clear and structured with what is the Vision, Strategy, Objectives and Measures, what stakeholders are involved and need to be involved in the transformation and their decision making authority, the process to manage those decisions, scope and risks; what are the problems they want to address or opportunities they want to take advantage of; what benefits they want to realise from the transformation and when; what the future or Target Operating Model (TOM) needs to look like to achieve their Vision and Strategic Objectives and business benefits, and how and when will the changes be implemented. Everything and nothing more, only doing what needs to be done, to transform the business, not doing what is happening in the marketplace today and that is ‘creating reams and reams of colourful models and diagrams, that while beautiful, are in reality just “interesting but (sadly) useless”.

WHAT IS THE DESIGN PROCESS?

The Design Process is the 6-Step process used to implement HOBA® and manage the transformation from the very start, to the very end, implementation.

WHAT IS THE BIGGEST MISCONCEPTION IN THE MARKETPLACE?

The biggest misconception in the marketplace today with business transformation is that Clients are led to believe that they need ‘reams and reams’ of pretty colourful presentations to transform your business. This is a fallacy. This only creates expensive shelf-ware. What those ‘pretty presentations’ are designed for is to enable the transformation project to keep moving toward its end goal, transforming the Business. What the Clients are led to believe is those ‘pretty presentations are the actual goal of the project, and often celebrated and hang up on the project office wall with great bravado as if they were the goal of the transformation itself! What those ‘pretty presentations’ actually need to be is two (2) things – first, is they need to be understandable, and written in a language that the Business understands, so first they can understand what it and they mean, and then they can agree to it. Then second, then they need to be useful. A lot of Consultants and Consultancy’s wanting to impress their clients with great marketing, pretty presentations and long list of impressive acronyms and latest “it” words, but this just confuses the Client. What happens is the Consultants will present their ‘ideas’ (because that’s what they are, they have had one meeting with the Client, interpreted that into their own words and perspectives, and come back to them several weeks and months later, having not consulted with them through the process, thinking ‘they know their Clients business best (they don’t, the Client does!) and play back their 300+ page power-point presentation that looks impressive), they present it to the Client, the Client has no idea what it means or says (its written in a foreign language, literally), due to the time it’s taken, and the money it has cost at that point, the Client agrees to it in the room, then walks out the room, and completely ignores everything the Consultant(s) said. The transformation goes nowhere. HOBA® solves that problem, refer to the first question above.

HOBA® is trusted by the UK Government, FTSE-100 companies and start-ups to both set up, and also turnaround their failing transformations. HOBA® is used by thousands around to transform their business, and was made public for the first time in late 2018, after over 10+ years in use with private clients, published in The Business Transformation Playbook – How to Implement Your Organisations Target Operating Model (TOM) and Achieve a Zero-Percent Failure Rate Using the 6-Step Agile Framework’, reaching bestseller on Amazon in 6-categories including Project Management and Consulting, and made it onto the Best Business Strategy eBook List of All Time by BookAuthority, at no.30 (March 2021). See News for details.

CAN I READ A PREVIEW OF THE BUSINESS TRANSFORMATION PLAYBOOK?

Yes, you can download a FREE preview to The Business Transformation Playbook here.

Navigating the UK Consulting Market: Political Influences, IR35, and ESG Impact

By Heath Gascoigne
June 26, 2024
Business Transformation, Enterprise Architecture
Post Views: 475

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The consulting market in the UK is currently undergoing significant transformations driven by various political forces.

Recent European elections, the upcoming French election, and the UK election scheduled for July 4th are all poised to reshape the landscape.

For business transformation professionals, leaders, managers, and consultants, understanding these changes is crucial for staying ahead in a dynamic environment.

This blog post delves into the potential impacts of these political events on the consulting market, highlighting key areas of change and the importance of adaptability.

Heres what we’ll cover (click the links to skip to the section below):

NB – Click to expand images 📸

Read on to discover how these political events could affect your consulting projects, what changes to expect with IR35, the rising importance of ESG, and how to prepare for future opportunities. Stay informed and ready to adapt to thrive in this evolving landscape.

Political Landscape and Its Impact on Consulting Projects

Political changes often lead to shifts in government policies, which in turn affect consulting projects tied to specific portfolios.

The recent European elections and Macron’s struggles in France signal potential changes in policy directions across the continent.

In the UK, the upcoming election on July 4th is particularly critical.

A change in government would likely result in a reshuffle of ministers, portfolios, and projects.

This reshuffle means that some projects may be scrapped, others put on ice, and new initiatives launched.

Research indicates that such political shifts lead to a period of reorganisation and uncertainty.

According to a study by the Management Consultancies Association (MCA), political uncertainty is a significant factor influencing the demand for consulting services.

The business community is well aware that post-election periods often involve policy reviews and strategic realignments, impacting ongoing and future projects.

Key Areas of Change: IR35 and Its Impact on Freelancers

One of the most contentious areas likely to face significant change is the IR35 legislation, which governs the tax status of independent contractors.

IR35 has been a point of contention, causing many freelancers to reconsider their status and, in some cases, leave the UK for more favourable environments, such as the UAE.

The legislation’s impact on the consulting market has been profound, with many firms struggling to retain top talent.

A survey by the Association of Independent Professionals and the Self-Employed (IPSE) revealed that nearly half of the freelancers affected by IR35 are considering leaving the UK.
This talent drain poses a challenge for the consulting industry, which relies heavily on skilled independent professionals.
A change in government could lead to a review or repeal of IR35, potentially reversing this trend and making the UK a more attractive destination for freelancers.

DOWNLOAD THE BUSINESS TRANSFORMATION TOOLKIT E-BOOK!

Download the e-book and gain the skills to lead your transformation using the HOBA® Business Transformation Toolkit 👉

🌟 "Political shifts lead to a period of reorganization and uncertainty, impacting ongoing and future consulting projects. Stay ahead by understanding these changes." 🌍🔄 #ConsultingMarket #BusinessTransformation #UKPolitics #AdaptToChange

Heath Gascoigne Tweet

ESG and Digital Transformation: HOBA Tech’s Role and Recognition

Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) criteria are becoming increasingly important in the consulting world.

Businesses are under growing pressure to demonstrate their commitment to sustainable practices and social responsibility.

The TfGM Bus Reform program, the most significant change in UK transport in the last 40 years, highlights how digital transformation can drive substantial community benefits.

This project not only improved transport services but also contributed to reducing carbon emissions and enhancing social equity. For business transformation professionals, integrating ESG considerations into projects is not just a trend but a necessity.

Case Study: Integrating ESG Principles in Transport Operations with HOBA

How HOBA Revolutionised Transport Operations with ESG Principles

Our Client, TfGM (Transport for Greater Manchester), embarked on a HOBA agile business transformation journey to revamp its operations and enhance customer experience with a strong emphasis on ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) principles.

By adopting agile methodologies and implementing advanced, sustainable technologies, the company was able to streamline its operations, optimize logistics management, and deliver enhanced, eco-friendly services to its customers.

This ESG-focused transformation empowered our client to adapt to the evolving landscape of the transport industry, achieve substantial improvements in its overall business operations, and significantly reduce its environmental impact, while promoting social responsibility and robust governance practices.

Preparing for the Future: The US Election and Global Implications

The upcoming US election in November also holds significant implications for the consulting market.

The possibility of Donald Trump’s reelection brings with it the potential for economic policy shifts that could impact global markets.

If Trump is reelected and succeeds in pulling the US out of recession, the resulting economic upturn could create new opportunities for consulting firms.

Companies that position themselves well now and anticipate these changes are likely to reap the most significant rewards.

The key to success in such a volatile environment is adaptability.

As Charles Darwin famously noted, “It is not the strongest of the species that survive, nor the most intelligent, but the one most responsive to change.”

🌟 "It is not the strongest of the species that survive, nor the most intelligent, but the one most responsive to change." 🌍🔄 #ConsultingMarket #BusinessTransformation #UKPolitics #AdaptToChange

Heath Gascoigne Tweet

Conclusion and Call to Action

The consulting market in the UK is at a crossroads, influenced by a complex web of political events and economic uncertainties.

Business transformation professionals must stay informed and agile to navigate these changes effectively.

Understanding the potential impacts of the upcoming UK election, changes to IR35, the emphasis on ESG, and the global implications of the US election will be crucial.

HOBA Tech’s recognition for our work in digital transformation and community impact serves as a reminder of the importance of aligning projects with broader societal goals.

Looking for the Upskill and Join the Top 30%? Everything you just read in this post is covered in here plus so much more! 👉

💡 "IR35 legislation has caused a significant talent drain, with nearly half of affected freelancers considering leaving the UK. A potential policy change could reverse this trend." 🏢💼 #IR35 #Freelancers #Consulting #TalentRetention

Heath Gascoigne Tweet

Explore more

Explore more about HOBA Tech and our award-winning digital transformation initiatives by visiting our website.

If you’re a consultant or part of a consultancy, now is the perfect time to up-skill with the latest market-leading business transformation training and certification.

Prepare yourself for the opportunities ahead as the market heats up and summer begins.

Wrap-Up

Contact us today to discuss how we can help your organisation navigate these changes and achieve your business transformation goals. Reach out to our sales team now to get started: Get in touch with HOBA Tech.

Stay connected with us for more updates and insights. Let’s navigate this journey together!

Thank you for reading this!

Sincerely,

Heath Gascoigne

P.S. If you want to join our Business Transformator community of 2,000+ like-minded Business Transformators, join the community on the Business Transformator Facebook Group here.

P.P.S. If you want to learn more about business transformation, check out The Business Transformation Playbook here.

For more information, visit https://www.hoba.tech

Heath Gascoigne

Hi, I'm Heath, the founder of HOBA TECH and host of The Business Transformation Podcast. I help Business Transformation Consultants, Business Designers and Business Architects transform their and their clients' business and join the 30% club that succeed. Join me on this journey.

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