8 ways to fire up your firm

There are 8 carefully planned steps which are bound to boost an organisation. Develop a situation to act upon, form a dynamic guiding coalition, create a vision, communicate the vision, empower people to act on the vision, plan and create short-term wins, find improvements to change and finally, utilise the new approaches. These are the steps the management team should consider in elevating the company to the next level.

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.