- Email us: info@how2-change.com
- Call us: 0203 576 5128
Business change and transformation initiatives are notoriously challenging, with a high rate of failure. According to research by McKinsey, 70% of complex, large-scale change programmes don’t reach their stated goals.
This sobering statistic highlights the immense difficulty organisations face when attempting to implement significant changes.The reasons for these failures are multifaceted. Common issues include:
These challenges apply across various types of change initiatives, including:
The costs of failed change programmes can be enormous. Beyond the direct financial impact, organisations also suffer from lost productivity, damaged employee morale, missed market opportunities, and erosion of competitive advantage.
Mergers and acquisitions (M&A) present particularly acute challenges. Research from Harvard Business Review indicates that between 70-90% of acquisitions fail to create value for shareholders. Common reasons include poor cultural integration, loss of key talent, and failure to realise expected synergies.
Even when change initiatives don’t fail outright, they often underperform. A study by Bain & Company found that only 12% of large-scale transformation efforts fully succeed in achieving their objectives and sustaining improvements over time.
This suggests that even when change programmes avoid total failure, they frequently fall short of expectations.The need for expert guidance and support in navigating complex change is clear.
Organisations require proven methodologies, experienced leadership, and specialised skills to overcome the myriad challenges inherent in major transformation efforts.
This is where the How2-Change implementation service comes in.
The How2-Change implementation service is a comprehensive, end-to-end solution designed to help organisations successfully plan, execute, and embed transformational change.
Our approach combines deep expertise in change management with pragmatic, results-oriented delivery. Key features of our service include:
Strategic Planning and Visioning: We work closely with senior leadership to define a compelling vision for change and develop a robust strategy for achieving it. This utilises our How2-Change Reality Check® and includes:
Change Readiness Assessment: We conduct a thorough assessment of the organisation’s readiness for change, examining factors such as:
This assessment informs our tailored approach and helps identify early risks and mitigation strategies.
Programme Design and Governance: We establish a robust programme structure to drive the change initiative, including:
Stakeholder Engagement and Communication: We develop and execute comprehensive stakeholder engagement and communication plans to build buy-in and maintain momentum throughout the change journey. This includes:
Change Leadership Development: We work with leaders at all levels to build their change leadership capabilities, equipping them to effectively drive and sustain the transformation. This includes:
Implementation Support and Delivery Assurance: Our experienced consultants provide hands-on support throughout the implementation phase, ensuring the change initiative stays on track and delivers results. This includes:
Embedding and Sustaining Change: We focus on embedding new ways of working and behaviours to ensure the changes stick long-term. This includes:
Rescue and Recovery: For initiatives that are already underway but struggling, we offer specialised rescue and recovery services. This includes:
M&A and Post-Merger Integration: For merger and acquisition scenarios, we provide targeted support to maximise deal value and ensure smooth integration. This includes:
Our approach is flexible and scalable, allowing us to tailor our support to the specific needs of each client and situation. Whether it’s a greenfield transformation initiative starting from scratch, a brownfield project requiring course correction, or a distressed situation needing urgent intervention, we have the expertise and experience to drive successful outcomes.
At How2-Change, we believe that successful change implementation requires more than just technical expertise—it demands a collaborative, people-centric approach that builds trust and empowers organisations to own their transformation journey.
Partnership Mindset: We see ourselves as partners in your success, not just external consultants. We integrate seamlessly with your team, working side-by-side to co-create solutions and build internal capabilities. Our goal is to leave your organisation stronger and more self-sufficient in managing change.
Pragmatic and Results-Oriented: While we bring deep experience of change management best practices, our focus is always on practical application and tangible results. We’re not interested in producing glossy reports that gather dust—we’re here to drive real change and measurable business outcomes.
Flexible and Adaptive: We recognise that every organisation and change initiative is unique. Our approach is highly flexible, allowing us to adapt our methodologies and tools to fit your specific context, culture, and needs. We’re comfortable working in both traditional and agile environments.
Data-Driven Decision Making: We leverage data and analytics throughout the change process to inform decision-making, track progress, and demonstrate impact. This includes using advanced tools for change readiness assessments, stakeholder analysis, and benefits realisation tracking.
Focus on Knowledge Transfer: A key part of our mission is to build your organisation’s internal change management capabilities. We actively involve your team in all aspects of the work, providing coaching and mentoring to ensure skills and knowledge are transferred effectively.
We’ve even used our proprietary “in a box” toolkits to build out entire Change and Transformation functions for organisations ranging from mid-market PE backed businesses to FTSE 100.
Holistic Perspective: We take a holistic view of change, considering not just the technical aspects but also the human, cultural, and organisational dimensions. This comprehensive approach helps ensure that changes are sustainable and fully embedded.
Rapid Mobilisation: We understand that time is often of the essence in change initiatives. Our experienced team can mobilise quickly, bringing immediate expertise and capacity to your programme. For urgent situations, we can have resources on the ground within days.
Continuous Improvement: We’re committed to ongoing learning and improvement. We regularly solicit feedback from clients, conduct post-programme reviews, and stay abreast of the latest research and best practices in change management to continuously refine our approach.
Ethical and Transparent: We operate with the highest standards of integrity and transparency. We’re not afraid to have difficult conversations or challenge assumptions when necessary, always keeping the best interests of our clients at heart.
Global perspective, local insight: Our team brings a wealth of global experience across industries and geographies. At the same time, we have deep local knowledge and cultural understanding, allowing us to navigate complex stakeholder landscapes effectively.
By working in this way, we not only help organisations successfully implement change in the short term but also build lasting capabilities that drive continuous improvement and adaptability in an ever-changing business environment.
The How2-Change implementation service offers a comprehensive, flexible, and proven approach to navigating the complexities of business transformation. By combining strategic insight, practical expertise, and a collaborative partnership model, we help organisations overcome the common pitfalls of change initiatives and realise the full potential of their transformation efforts.
We’ll guide your implementation Our support will help turn your plans into reality Engage us early and boost your outcomesWhy not have a read of some of our Insights, or browse our Case Studies?
Want a Free Initial Consultation?
Want to follow us on LinkedIn?
The duration of a business change implementation project can vary significantly depending on the scope and complexity of the change. Typically, projects range from 3 to 18 months, but some large-scale transformations may take longer. We work with you to establish realistic timelines based on your specific needs and organisational readiness.
Our team has experience across a wide range of industries, including financial services, healthcare, manufacturing, retail, and technology. We adapt our approach to suit the unique challenges and regulatory requirements of each sector, ensuring that our implementation strategies are both effective and compliant. We have substantial experience in Private Equity too.
We establish clear, measurable key performance indicators (KPIs) at the outset of each project. These may include financial metrics, operational efficiency improvements, customer satisfaction scores, and employee engagement levels. We use our proprietary How2-Change Reality Check® framework to track progress and ensure alignment with your desired outcomes.
Absolutely. We have extensive experience in managing change across geographically dispersed organisations. We leverage digital collaboration tools, virtual training sessions, and tailored communication strategies to ensure effective implementation regardless of your team's location.
Resistance is a natural part of any change process. We address it proactively through comprehensive stakeholder engagement, clear communication, and targeted change leadership development. Our approach focuses on understanding the root causes of resistance and developing strategies to overcome them.
While project management is a component of our service, our implementation approach goes beyond traditional project management. We focus on the holistic aspects of change, including cultural shifts, behavioural changes, and long-term sustainability. Our service integrates change management, leadership development, and strategic alignment to ensure comprehensive transformation.
Knowledge transfer is a core part of our methodology. We work closely with your team throughout the implementation process, providing hands-on training, mentoring, and coaching. We also develop detailed documentation and conduct formal knowledge transfer sessions to ensure your team can sustain the changes long after our engagement ends.
Yes, we have extensive experience in technology-driven change initiatives, including digital transformations, ERP implementations, and IT system overhauls. We bridge the gap between technical requirements and people-centric change management to ensure smooth adoption and realisation of technology investments.
We recognise that every organisation has a unique culture. Our implementation approach begins with a thorough cultural assessment to understand your values, norms, and working styles. We then tailor our strategies, communication methods, and engagement approaches to align with and respect your cultural nuances while driving effective change.
Our commitment doesn't end with the initial implementation. We offer post-implementation support services, including progress reviews, refresher training, and ongoing coaching for key change leaders. We can also help establish internal change management capabilities to ensure your organisation is well-equipped to handle future changes independently.
