Is your business changing? Most do, whether it is done with intent, or things just “happen” – with positive or negative consequences. When we plan to make a change, whether it is to take on a new business partner, change financial structure, undertake a business process improvement initiative, or revise a business model, we can choose to set up a platform for success.

I once asked a business process improvement specialist what the main challenges were to achieving best results. (And he, like all those involved in process improvements,

knew the dismal statistics pertaining to process improvement efforts: approximately 80% fail to achieve desired results.)

Specialist: “It’s the damn people.”

Me: “What about the people?”

Specialist: “They just need to get on board.”

Me: “Well, how do you get them on board?”

Specialist: “They just need to do it.”

If you have high failure rates, wouldn’t it make sense to take a second look at “how,” not just “what”?