8 Ways To Fire Up Your Firm

1) Develop a situation to act upon Study the current market and the realities of the competition. Identify and discuss crises (including potential crises) and major opportunities which can be capitilised on.

2) Form a dynamic guiding coalition Garner a group with sufficient expertise to bring about the change effort. Encourage the group to work as a team and synergise their efforts.

3) Create a vision Create a vision to help lead the change effort in the right direction. Come up with strategies on how to go about achieving that vision.

4) Communicate the vision Use every possible means to communicate the new vision and strategies. Teach new behaviours by using the example of the guiding coalition.

5) Empower people to act on the vision Move obstacles out of the way in order to change. Change systems or structures that pose hinderance to the vision. Encourage risk taking and unconventional ideas, activities and actions. People must be taught to break away from the norms whenever and wherever appropriate and necessary.

6) Plan and create short-term wins Plan for visible performance improvements. Create those improvements. Recognise and reward employees involved in the improvements.

7) Find improvements to change Use increased credibility to change policies, structures and systems that do not fit the vision. Hire and train employees who can implement the vision. Breathe life into the process with new projects, themes and change agents.

8) Utilise the new approaches Articulate the connections between the new behaviours and organisational success. Create the means to ensure leadership development and sustainable competitive advantage.