I had the pleasure of joining my colleagues – consultants, organization development & HR leaders – on a dialogue of the “new normal” in today’s organizations. It was fascinating!
Not only do I think it’s healthy for people to actually discuss topics like this, but to check the reality of where organizations really are. Some aspects are overblown, others are right on the mark, and still others are much further along than I would have expected.
The focus of our inquiry and observation was around the question: What organizational factors are driving organizational change, given the work we have engaged in over the last several years?
In today’s writing I’ll summarize many of the drivers we shared and report out on, then formulate conclusions and implications in my next edition. Enjoy. Let me know what you think. How do these observations resonate with your experience?
Answers naturally grouped into three primary buckets, which I have listed below:
General Drivers of Change –
- Industry consolidation; mergers & acquisitions
- The ease of a new global reach
- Ready access to information & research on the internet
- A more evolved & standardized process for the OD practioner
- A shared partnership & better definition of roles for business & OD players
- Short-term/survival mind set in many business owners
- Rapidly changing organizational structures
- Natural tensions between traditional vs. entrepreneurial mindsets
- Ever increasing pace & scope of work
- Use of technology in every facet of work
Economic Drivers –
- Less budget & resources available
- Survival mindset, coupled with short-term ROI
- Organizational clients more actively defining & communicating their needs
- Lower investment in people (human capital)
- Standoff between organization vs. milenials; who will give in to the other?
- Competitive forces & pressures
Demographic Drivers –
- Baby boomers ready to retire, but not quite yet
- Influx of new generational groups into the workforce
- increase use of strategic measurement
- OD partnering with HR, who has become more strategic in large organizations
- Greater diversity & differences brought into organizations, but often, not retained
- Greater value & openess place on strategic OD with lot’s of experience, especially as a student of the business (SOB)
No wonder we feel tired – there is a lot happening in our worlds and companies today. Again, how do these organizational drivers resonate with your experience? What would you say are the top 3 which most influence your role and the work you do?
Stay tuned for Part 2 – Conclusions & Implications
In today’s edition, I’ll summarize many of the characteristics, then formulate conclusions and implications in my next edition. Enjoy. Let me know what you think. How do these observations resonate with your experience?