Posts Tagged ‘Organization Development’
5 Critical Steps to Implementation Success: Why Aren’t We Learning From Our Mistakes?
April 7th, 2010 by Kim Barnett
For the last 10+ years I’ve been managing client relationships and selling Change Management consulting and training solutions to organizations that want to adopt a common approach to manage change. It continues to fascinate me that despite the increased focus and discipline applied in this field, implementation efforts continue to fail because of human factors. Organizational Change Management as an industry has existed for 40 years if not longer. Over the past 10-15 years it has become increasingly more common for large organizations to recognize the need to manage the human issues when implementing large-scale change (i.e. ERP or technology implementations, mergers and acquisitions, culture change, reengineering or business process change, downsizing, organization redesign, or any project that involves changing the way people do their jobs). Much has been written about why implementation efforts fail. Statistics continue to illustrate that approximately 80% of change efforts fail to meet budget, target dates, or key objectives. It is also well documented that the highest risk of implementation failure is on the human side, and not with the technology. Many Fortune 500 organizations today understand that by applying a structured approach or framework to manage the human side, the chance of a successful project will substantially increase. Then why aren’t we learning from our past mistakes? (more…)
Tags: Change management, Leadership, Organization Development, Project management
Posted in Change management, Project management
The 4 P’s of Olympic Gold: Grooming the Next Generation of Shaun Whites in your Organization
March 15th, 2010 by Jeremy Lurey
Whether it’s a skater or skier or snowboarder or other, everyone who won a Gold Medal in Vancouver recently is a role model for us all. Practice, patience, persistence, and passion – the 4 P’s of Olympic Gold – are likely mantras for all these winners. Shaun White, in particular, is a true living example of exactly what every senior executive and business leader should be focused on creating in their organizations – not because he won gold on the half pipe, but because he won gold after winning gold on the half pipe!
That’s right. Shaun White was standing at the top of his second and final run when the results came in, and he found out that he already won the gold medal without even completing his last run. In that very moment, he had a choice- (more…)
Tags: coaching, executive coaching, future of OD, Leadership, OD, Olympics, Organization Development, organizational culture, personal growth, productivity, senior executive, Shaun White, Winter 2010 Olympics
Posted in Accelerated workplace, Groups/Teams, OD Insights, business, topical
Organization Development as a Profession: Will Certification or Licensing Help You Choose Your Consultant?
March 12th, 2010 by Cris Hagen
Should the profession of Organization Development (OD) require professional certification or licensing for practitioners to practice?
As we look to the future of OD, some questions come to mind :
- Should anyone wanting to “hang out a shingle” as an OD practitioner be allowed to do so?
- Should there be minimum educational requirements? If so, what should they be?
- Should OD practitioners be licensed through a formal licensing or certification process?
- How would a governing body for licensing or certification be “selected”?
- What risks to the OD profession are posed if licensing or certification is required?
- How do you market your practice to differentiate and distinguish yourself?
Having practiced in the field for 30 years, now, I have seen OD grow to encompass a broad range of “specialty” areas beyond its origins in the area of “group dynamics”, “human relations research”, and “action research” back in the 1940’s and 50’s. (See the Wikipedia article on OD here). (more…)
Tags: executive coaching, future of OD, Leadership, Management, OD, OD Network, Organization Development, organizational culture, workplace, Workplace Policies
Posted in OD Insights, OD Network, business
Best Recognition and Rewards Programs for the Post-Recession Economy
February 23rd, 2010 by Jeremy Lurey
At Plus Delta Consulting, we are committed to creating a brighter future for those seeking to improve individual, group, and organizational performance as well as those focused on transforming organizations in ways that produce better business results. Broadly speaking, we are part of “OD” (Organization Development), but we also push the boundaries of the field and what many call “new OD” to connect communities of organizational professionals from other arenas. We not only seek but also strive to share new theories and practices that serve the 21st century organization with others. Towards that end, we launched a LinkedIn group called the “Future of Organization Development (OD)” last fall (see http://bit.ly/FutureOD) and regularly participate in other online conversations to facilitate these discussions.
Here is an excerpt of a recent discussion about the Best Recognition and Rewards Programs for the Post-Recession Economy:
[Jeremy Lurey]: A couple weeks ago, I facilitated a great session with a local NHRA (National Human Resources Association) chapter. The topic was Recognition and Rewards programs, and we used a World Cafe (see www.theworldcafe.com) format to bring everyone – and their richly diverse perspectives – into the room. During the World Cafe rounds, groups were asked the following 3 questions:
1. What are the top three MONETARY recognition and rewards approaches that you use in your company?
2. What are the top three NON-MONETARY recognition and rewards approaches that you use in your company?
3. What are the underlying assumptions of your recognition and rewards system, and does the absence of receiving a reward equate to PUNISHMENT?
Provided below are some of the key themes that emerged from the group. I’m curious if this is in line with your experiences or if you have other “best programs” you would recommend.
(more…)
Tags: blogging, employees, future of OD, HR, incentives, Leadership, Management, new media, OD, Organization Development, organizational culture, post-recession economy, punishment, recognition, recovery, remix culture, rewards, workplace, Workplace Policies
Posted in Accelerated workplace, Groups/Teams, Workplace Culture, Workplace Policies, business, economic recovery, topical
12 Organizational Idea Starters to Get You “Going Green”
February 16th, 2010 by Samantha Lurey
Many organizations have realized that green business practices provide a competitive business advantage. It’s an opportunity to make a real difference in a way that benefits not only bottom line results, but also fosters stronger employee engagement, improves community relations, and creates a sense of corporate responsibility.
Some companies have integrated their green initiatives into every aspect of their business, and have even resulted in the addition of innovative products and services to boost bottom line results. In most cases, though, it’s not easy to come up with potentially significant contributions that result in a measurable impact to cost or profitability.
Plus Delta Consulting recommends collaborating with all of your stakeholders — employees, customers, vendors, and business partners — to gather input, ideas, and perspectives. Educate your stakeholders about sustainability and the company’s vision, and then involve them so everyone feels like they are contributing to the goal. They will be much more engaged in the process and will be much more likely to participate in any new initiatives.
Whether your organization is looking to implement green initiatives as part of a large-scale transformation, or just at a grassroots level, Plus Delta suggests the following idea starters to… (more…)
Tags: corporate social responsibility, CSR, environment, green, green consulting, Management, OD, Organization Development, organizational change, organizational culture, workplace, Workplace Policies
Posted in Accelerated workplace, Collaboration, Workplace Culture, Workplace Policies, business
FREE 360-Degree Survey Offer Extended Another 30 Days – Act Now and Get Started Today!
February 15th, 2010 by Jeremy Lurey
Due to the popular demand we received from our clients last month, we are extending our New Year’s offer for FREE 360-Degree Leadership Excellence Surveys for anyone who starts a new Executive Coaching program. Plus Delta’s coaching programs range from 6 months of rigorous support to help you and your senior leaders develop the skills you need to ensure the success of your organization to our much more targeted “Quickstart” program. Either way, Plus Delta’s talented executive coaches will help you leverage the tools and insights you need to bridge the gap between more traditional managerial roles and your new responsibilities as business leaders in this post-recession economy. And to make sure these programs deliver long-term sustainable results, we’ll include not only a FREE 360-Degree Leadership Excellence Survey but also a one-year subscription to ThinkBox – one of the most powerful online, on-demand learning and development resources around today – with every program.
Interested in learning more? Ready to invest in yourself and invest in your leaders? With Plus Delta’s Executive Coaching programs, you can improve the performance of an individual leader or an entire executive team. Give us a call at 866.PLS.DLTA (757-3582) or send an email to info@plusdelta.net and get started today. Believe it or not, our Quickstart programs begin at just $1950 per leader, so you don’t want to miss this amazing opportunity!
Thank you,
Plus Delta Consulting Team
Tags: 360 degree survey, executive coaching, executive learning, leaders, Leadership, learning, Management, new years, OD, on-demand learning, Organization Development, organizational culture, Plus Delta, quickstart, software, thinkbox, thinkwise, workplace
Posted in Accelerated workplace, Groups/Teams, Special Offers
Employee Engagement: Changing Workplace Conversations
February 9th, 2010 by Cris Hagen
Every major consulting or research firm has the data to prove it. Engaged employees are not only happy employees, but they are much, much more productive employees. They make companies more profitable, and shareholders richer. (Click here to download a Gallup white paper on the power of employee engagement as a core business strategy.)
I think that most leaders are coming around to believe that this is a truth: engaged employees are a good thing for the business. The problem is that many leaders have trouble figuring out what it takes to get those employees “engaged”.
Let’s make it clear. “Engaged” employees are emotionally involved with their job, their company, and their co-workers. Some of their co-workers become friends outside the workplace, and they care about and support one another.
Don’t get me wrong. I’m not saying that HR departments in companies should start planning weekly company picnics or make a return to “fermentation Fridays”. I’m not suggesting that we run a “social Meet Up” application on the company intranet.
We don’t need to run “team building” meetings and ropes courses in every department to get employees engaged. And no, we don’t need executives to do a weekly “lunch with the President” meeting (UNLESS the “Pres” is willing to stick with the program and actually follow through on his/her commitment to meet with employees, get to know them, and do something about their suggestions).
What I am saying is that the major reasons employees:
- Enjoy being at work
- Are willing to give more effort to work
- Feel good when they tell their friends and family about their work
…are that they: (more…)
Tags: employee engagement, engagement, groups, OD, Organization Development, organizational culture, productivity, team building, teams, workplace, Workplace Policies
Posted in Accelerated workplace, Collaboration, Groups/Teams, OD Insights, Workplace Culture, Workplace Policies
Lessons from an Organization Development Professional: Staying Centered and Clear on Values at Work & in Life
January 25th, 2010 by Cris Hagen
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Entertainment. It’s all around us. The late night talk show wars between Jay, Conan, and Dave. The new TV season is starting with American Idol and 24, and SuperBowl Weekend is just on the perceivable horizon. I don’t know about you, but we live in exciting times!
Really? Really? What have we become? Does Hollywood really dominate our attention so much as to dull our senses about what is going on in the world around us? Have we become so numb to our world that we let “The Tonight Show” shenanigans take precedence over what happened in Haiti these past weeks? Or to take precedence over what’s going on in our own homes with our spouse and children?
We are deluged daily, not only with entertainment, world news of disasters, war, and economic turmoil, but we are “attacked” with e-mails (let’s start a contest to see who gets more than 500 e-mails a day!), and overwhelmed with requests for our time to attend meetings and teleconferences. Where do we draw the line? When do we start to get control over our lives and our time? How do we start to manage our commitments and keep a focus on the important relationships in our lives to make a statement about what is important to us? How do we dig out of everything that gets piled on top of us so that we can breathe fresh air and regain a sense of balance that will both sustain us and energize our efforts to lead more productive and fulfilling lives? Is this all too much to ask? Is it pure fantasy that we can actually achieve this? (more…)
Tags: authenticity, centered, future of OD, haiti, information overload, OD, on purpose, Organization Development, personal development, personal growth, self assessment, values, workplace
Posted in OD Insights, Work/Life Balance, topical
Plus Delta Presents at ASTD Los Angeles, Thursday, 1/28, on Strategic Organization Renewal
January 18th, 2010 by Cris Hagen
In today’s turbulent times, employees are discouraged by the continuing global economic crisis and broader world news, organizations are becoming completely consumed by draconian cost-cutting measures simply to stay afloat, and customers are still finding it difficult to make purchasing decisions. During this period of furious business change, now is the time for business leaders to take the offensive and renew their organizations.
STRATEGIC ORGANIZATION RENEWAL unlocks value in your business by optimizing organizational performance and protecting customer loyalty. By engaging this process, business leaders align near-term business strategies necessitated by today’s unprecedented economic challenges with not only the desire but also the ability to prosper in the recovery.
Join us for an engaging session on January 28, 2010 at ASTD – Special Division (Organization Development)– where we explore the concepts and share practical tips for renewing your organization! Learn how to change the game by using this opportunity to renew your business and create a ready platform for growth and innovation in the future.
In this session, we will:
• Discuss today’s unprecedented economic challenges and our current context for change as the recovery sets in
• Review the concepts of Strategic Organization Renewal – a proven approach for optimizing organizational performance and protecting customer loyalty
• Develop specific strategies you can use to put this powerful approach into action and produce better business results before it’s too late.
For more information, click here.
Tags: American Society for Training and Development, ASTD, economic recovery, OD, Organization Development, Plus Delta, productivity, SOR, Strategic Organization Renewal, workplace
Posted in Accelerated workplace, Events, OD Insights, business, economic recovery, topical
5 Steps to Improved Performance As You Kickoff the New Year
January 13th, 2010 by Jeremy Lurey
All of us at Plus Delta Consulting have been reflecting on what we will do as we enter the New Year to improve performance in our organization – and with our client organizations. 2009 was a rocky year for many, and I for one am very glad to put it behind me. With that said, I’d be remiss if I simply said, “Thank God it’s over!” without doing any planning for 2010.
As we enter the New Year then, we’d like to recommend 5 simple steps for you to drastically improve performance in your organization. What steps have you taken or do you plan to take as you begin the New Year to produce better results? Please take a moment to comment below and share your own actions and ideas with us and all of our readers. Until then, here’s our list!
1. Plan your future from the future:
If anything was possible for you and your organization in one year from now (or even 10), how would you have the future be? Suspend reality for just a moment, and don’t worry about being practical or even reasonable. Focus on defining your ideal future based on your most important values and longer-term business objectives. And don’t frame this as “fixing” something that already exists or working within your current constraints. (more…)
Tags: executive coaching, goals, high performance, Management, management processes, mentoring, mentorship, new year, OD, online networking, Organization Development, organizational culture, productivity, social networking, transparency, workplace, Workplace Policies
Posted in Accelerated workplace, Collaboration, Groups/Teams, OD Insights, Social Media, Work/Life Balance, Workplace Culture, Workplace Policies, business, topical
