LATEST THINKING

How the human factor can make or break growth

BE AGILE TO COMPETE

Despite their best efforts, most companies have not unlocked the full value potential from initiatives to be more competitive. Why? The “human factor.” Full value, included cost savings, can only be realized when change is adopted and sustained at every level.

Creating a truly agile culture requires the full commitment of the C-suite and senior executives. It is daunting yet doable.

Learn the three steps companies can take to harness the human factor.

DOWNLOAD THE POINT OF VIEW [PDF]

BYPASS BARRIERS

Accenture’s research shows the primary barriers to advancing a company’s operations are human factors¹. Yet, effective change that creates an agile culture can yield strong results.

Accenture’s analysis of over one million employees involved in change initiatives at more than 200 organizations finds that²:

1. “Increasing agility to fuel growth and competitiveness”, Accenture Consulting, 2016

2. “Smart spending is not just about the numbers”, Accenture, 2017

HARNESS THE HUMAN FACTOR

An agile culture helps unlock and sustain value for the long term. Take these three steps:

Prepare to disrupt and to be disrupted

KNOW HOW AGILE YOU REALLY ARE

Complete a fast, highly-analytic agility assessment to inform and focus decisions about what needs to change.

MAKE AGILITY EVERYONE'S JOB

Get the full commitment and alignment of the entire leadership team—including the next generation of leaders. Identify specific behaviors and assign clear accountability for implementation.

MEASURE LEADERSHIP BEHAVIORS, NOT JUST FINANCIALS

Measure and incentivize executives for contributions to the entire organization’s agility. Use advanced analytics to understand what’s really driving change.

Develop a laser focus on what skills are needed to become truly agile

UNDERSTAND YOUR CORE TALENT NEEDS AND PROACTIVELY PLAN TO FILL GAPS

Complete a quick talent assessment, across functions and levels to understand the core skills that should be hired, built, automated or brought in through a liquid workforce.

BE THE CHANGE YOU LEAD ... OR BE CHANGED (OUT)

Leadership needs to consistently model the desired behaviors to build a culture in which transforming and innovating is natural, everyday behavior.