I was recently asked by an organization to share my thoughts on business transformation. As I thought about this word “transformation” I thought about the many books and blog articles I’ve read, the many guest lectures, presentations and trainings I’ve done, and the many lessons learned by my clients and other organizations that all have to do, in one way or another, with business transformation.
The reality is that every business today is in some stage of transformation. Transforming from the way business used to be run to the way it needs to be run today – with the introduction (and take over) of social media, online reputation management, two-way communications and real-time realities. Whether yours is a new business entering into this world, or an old business entering into this world, the realities are the same and the challenges similar. You have to adapt, embrace and truly understand today’s digital world if you are going to survive.
Your organization’s crisis preparedness is our mission with this blog. To keep you informed, to keep you learning and expanding your knowledge, and to keep you current so that you enable your team and your business to propel themselves deep into today’s digital cultures and realities in order to thrive and prosper – while staying safe, ready and prepared.
If you’re a regular reader of this blog, I hope I’ve been – and continue to be – successful in my mission.
Author of Crisis Ready: Building an Invincible Brand in an Uncertain World, Melissa Agnes is a leading authority on crisis preparedness, reputation management, and brand protection. Agnes is a coveted keynote speaker, commentator, and advisor to some of today’s leading organizations faced with the greatest risks. Learn more about Melissa and her work here.
Organizations are good at throwing around terms like "adaptive planning" and "flexibility" in their vision and mission statements, but there are so many who don't really know how to actually do it. I feel like the folks I work with look at transformation on a Madonna-like scale (total reinvention) without first looking at what their overall objective is. Figure out the objective first, then decide how much your overall business plan needs to change.
I'm guessing you see business plans that run the full gamut from some that only need a little tweaking to incorporate digital communication and crisis management and some that need a full on overhaul.
Oh yeah, I've seen quite the range! I've also worked with large organizations that have many different brands under the parent company ranging from "we totally get social media and how to use it in crisis management" to "why do we need to monitor online?"… and I've had to develop crisis plans for that wide range of brands and knowledge.
I always say that flexibility and adaptability are part of the 10 new rules of crisis communications. However, they're really a must in every area of business today. Those who get it will thrive. Those who don't, well, to say that they'll struggle is putting it very lightly.