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.

Why Hiring the Big 4 for Business Transformation Could Be a Costly Mistake

By Heath Gascoigne
September 2, 2024
Business Transformation, Enterprise Architecture
Post Views: 491

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Overview:

In today’s rapidly changing business environment, the traditional approach to business transformation, often led by the Big 4 consulting firms, is no longer the safe bet it once was.

Their standardised, tech-first methods may seem appealing, but they often lead to longer timelines, higher costs, and missed opportunities.

This blog post explores why relying on these outdated strategies can be a costly mistake and introduces a more effective, business-led approach pioneered by HOBA Tech.

If you’re considering a business transformation, this is a must-read before you make your decision.

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

NB – Click to expand images 📸

Introduction

In the world of business transformation, the conventional wisdom has always been, “No one ever got fired for hiring IBM,” or in today’s terms, anyone of the Big 4 consulting firms and their peers.

This mentality worked in the 80s and 90s, when these firms were pioneering new methods and setting the standard. But today, the game has changed.

What used to be the gold standard is now just a rusty old relic.

If you’re considering hiring the Big 4 or one of their many imitators for your business transformation, you might want to think twice.

The Problem with the Big 4 Approach

Let’s break down what it’s really like to work with the Big 4 or those who’ve been trained in their mould.

It’s no secret that the Big 4 consulting firms have a cookie-cutter approach to transformation.

They come in with their playbook, apply the same old strategies, and leave you with a hefty bill.

But what’s worse is that these strategies are often outdated, overly standardized, and rarely tailored to the unique needs of your business.

A Day in the Life of a Big 4 Consultant

Picture this: You’ve just hired one of the Big 4 firms to lead your business transformation.

On day one, a swarm of consultants arrives at your office, laptops in hand, ready to ‘assess’ your business.

They begin by documenting everything—endless interviews, data collection, and the creation of countless spreadsheets and PowerPoint decks.

This is the beginning of what they call “marketecture”—a term that refers to the creation of artifacts designed not to solve problems but to market their own services back to you.

Next, they start implementing their standard operating procedure: fire a bunch of people, streamline processes, and introduce some shiny new technology.

Sounds good, right?

Not so fast.

The problem is that this approach often cuts too deep, driving away your best talent and leaving you with the dead weight.

The people who stay are often the ones who shouldn’t. And the shiny new technology? It’s likely not what your business needed, but it sure looks impressive on paper.

Weeks turn into months, and before you know it, you’re deep into a project that’s taking longer than expected, costing more than you budgeted, and delivering far less than you were promised.

Meanwhile, the consultants are still billing you for every hour they’re on site, all while creating a dependency on their services.

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 👉

👀 "If you’re hiring the Big 4, you’re paying a premium for outdated strategies. It's time to stop following the herd and start leading the pack." 🚀 #BusinessTransformation #Leadership #ThinkDifferent

Heath Gascoigne Tweet

Why Conventional Wisdom is Outdated

The old adage that “no one got fired for hiring IBM” might have worked in the last century, but in today’s fast-paced business environment, sticking with the status quo is a recipe for disaster.

The Big 4 may have the brand name, but they lack the agility, innovation, and deep understanding of your unique business needs that today’s market demands.

The truth is, these firms are no longer the thought leaders they once were—they’re just copying each other.

And when you copy a copy, the original message gets lost, just like in a game of Chinese whispers.

The further you get from the source, the more muddled the message, and the worse the execution.

The HOBA Tech Difference

Now, let’s contrast that with what it’s like to work with HOBA Tech.

When you engage with us, you’re not just hiring consultants—you’re partnering with thought leaders who are at the cutting edge of business transformation.

Here’s how we differ in three key areas: psychology, approach, and philosophy.

At HOBA Tech, we believe that technology should serve the business, not the other way around.

While the Big 4 are obsessed with pushing the latest tech solutions, we start with your business’s unique needs and challenges.

We put the business in control from concept to solution implementation, ensuring that every technological investment serves a clear business purpose.

This means you’re not left trying to fit your business into a pre-built mould—you’re building a solution that’s tailor-made for your success.

Unlike the Big 4’s cookie-cutter approach, we understand that no two businesses are the same.

Our approach is agile and adaptive, focusing on your specific needs rather than following a one-size-fits-all methodology.

We work with you to create a transformation plan that’s as unique as your business.

We know that transformation isn’t about firing everyone and starting from scratch—it’s about making strategic adjustments that empower your existing team and align with your long-term goals.

Perhaps the most significant difference between HOBA Tech and the Big 4 is our philosophy.

While the Big 4 aim to create a dependency—ensuring you’ll need them long after the project is over—we focus on building your internal transformation capability.

We believe that transformation is a journey, not a one-off event.

Our goal is to equip your team with the tools, knowledge, and confidence they need to continue the journey without us. After all, you wanted consultants, not permanent employees, right?

Conclusion

The choice is clear. In today’s fast-paced, ever-changing business environment, you need more than just a big name—you need a partner who understands your business, tailors solutions to your needs, and empowers you for long-term success.

The Big 4 might promise you the world, but at what cost? Longer timelines, higher costs, and missed opportunities.

Before you sign on the dotted line with one of the Big 4 or their imitators, take a step back and consider what you’re really getting.

Are you hiring true thought leaders, or just another set of copycats?

The stakes are too high to settle for anything less than the best.

🚨 "Relying on cookie-cutter solutions in a dynamic business world is like using a map from the 80s to navigate today's terrain. Your business deserves better." 💡 #Innovation #Consulting #Agile

Heath Gascoigne Tweet

Call to Action

Ready to see how your business stacks up?

Take our FREE Business Transformation Health Check today.

We’ll assess your current state, identify any gaps, and provide actionable insights to help you achieve a successful transformation.

Don’t just take our word for it—experience the HOBA Tech difference for yourself.

Is Your Business Transformation on Track? 🚀

Ensure your business transformation is heading in the right direction. Our FREE Business Transformation Health Check provides expert insights to identify gaps and unlock your full potential. Don’t leave success to chance—take action today! 🔐

💡 "True transformation isn’t about creating dependency; it’s about empowering your team to succeed without us. If your consultants don’t get that, they’re just creating job security for themselves." 🔥 #Empowerment #Transformation #BusinessArchitecture

Heath Gascoigne Tweet

Ready to transform your business? Contact us to explore how we can help you accelerate your transformation journey.

Final Thought

In the end, transformation is about more than just change—it’s about making the right changes.

With HOBA Tech, you’re not just transforming your business; you’re transforming the way you think about transformation. Let’s get started.

For more insights and guidance, visit HOBA or contact us for personalised support.

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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Why Hiring the Big 4 for Business Transformation Could Be a Costly Mistake

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Overview:

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