Imagine building a house where each room is designed and constructed in isolation— the kitchen without considering its relation to the dining area, the garage detached from the main house, or the plumbing and electrical systems installed without a unified plan.
What would you end up with?
A dysfunctional living space that's not only inefficient but also risks structural failure.
In the same way, approaching business transformation as a series of isolated upgrades is akin to constructing a house without a comprehensive blueprint. You might end up with a shiny new kitchen (or a cutting-edge IT system), but what good is it if the rest of the house (or your organisation) is falling apart? The lack of a holistic approach can lead to misaligned objectives, operational inefficiencies, and even the risk of organisational collapse.
The Master Blueprint: BeHOLISTIC™ Framework
That's where the BeHOLISTIC framework comes into play. Think of it as the master blueprint for constructing a resilient, efficient, and harmonious organisation. In this blog, we'll delve into how BeHOLISTIC serves as the architectural plan that ensures every 'room' in your 'organisational house' is designed to work in perfect harmony, setting the foundation for long-term success.
Transformation is Like Building a House
Transformation can be likened to designing, building, or renovating a house. Many elements need careful consideration before you get to the final design and, ultimately, the finished house. You need to start with a whole-of-design approach that involves many steps, from understanding the occupants that will live there, the needs and requirements of the occupants that the house will need to meet, and how the design of the house will solve these needs and challenges.
The Roof: Your Business Model
Imagine a house without a roof; it would be exposed to the elements, making it uninhabitable. The roof is not just another component; it’s the overarching structure that shields everything underneath it. It provides protection from external factors like rain, wind, and snow, and it also defines the character of the house. Similarly, the Business Model in the BeHOLISTIC framework serves as the ‘roof’ of your organisation. It’s not just a strategy; it’s the overarching framework that defines who your customers are, what value you offer, and how you deliver that value. It protects and unifies all other components of your organisation, from Human Capital to Technology to Culture. Without a robust and well-defined Business Model, everything underneath becomes vulnerable, much like a house exposed to the elements.
The Building Blocks: HOLISTIC Components
Good home design considers all aspects of the site and building, incorporating sustainable design principles that help to future-proof the home. Similarly, each component of the HOLISTIC part of our framework should be designed with principles that make your organisation proactive, flexible, and resilient.
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Human Capital is akin to the skilled craftsmen and artisans who add the intricate details and finishes to the house. Their expertise and engagement are crucial for turning a mere structure into a comfortable, aesthetically pleasing home. In an organisation, a well-trained and engaged workforce makes it proactive in identifying customer needs, flexible in adapting to market changes, and resilient in overcoming challenges.
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Organisation Design is like the construction management team that oversees the project. They ensure that the craftsmen, electricians, and plumbers work in harmony, adhering to the schedule and quality standards. A well-structured organisation design enables quick decision-making, fosters collaboration, and allows for flexibility in team roles, making the organisation more proactive, flexible, and resilient.
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Location is comparable to the plot of land where the house is built. The quality of the soil, the view, and the neighbourhood all have to be considered. A strategically chosen location can make the house resilient to environmental factors and flexible for future expansions. Similarly, the right location for an organisation's operations or services can offer strategic advantages that contribute to its resilience and flexibility.
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Information/Data is like the construction manual and the digital models used during the building process. These resources contain all the specifications, measurements, and guidelines. In an organisation, having accurate and timely information enables proactive decision-making, offers flexibility in strategy execution, and builds resilience through better risk management.
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Suppliers are the providers of the raw materials, akin to the quarries, lumber mills, and factories that supply the stone, wood, and metal. Reliable suppliers ensure that the house is built from quality materials, making it more resilient. In an organisation, a strong network of reliable suppliers allows for flexibility in operations and resilience in supply chain disruptions.
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Technology represents the modern tools and machinery, like 3D printers for custom fittings or advanced electrical systems for home automation. Advanced technology can make a house more adaptable and future-proof. Similarly, leveraging the right technologies can make an organisation more proactive in innovation, flexible in operations, and resilient against market disruptions.
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Indicators are like the quality inspections and certifications that the house must pass. These checks ensure that the house meets all safety and quality standards, making it resilient for the long term. In an organisation, key performance indicators serve as vital checkpoints for proactivity, flexibility, and resilience, ensuring that all components are aligned and functioning optimally.
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Culture is the ethos or the "way we do things here" among the construction crew. It's the commitment to safety, quality, and customer satisfaction. A strong culture in a construction project ensures that everyone is proactive about safety and quality, flexible in solving problems, and resilient in facing challenges. Similarly, a strong organisational culture can be the bedrock of proactivity, flexibility, and resilience, aligning everyone towards common goals and values.
Each of these HOLISTIC components plays a vital role in optimising the core activities represented by the End-to-End Value Chain. They ensure that the house is not just structurally sound but also a comfortable, efficient, and effective dwelling that aligns perfectly with the overarching guidance provided by the roof (Business Model).
Using the BeHOLISTIC framework for implementing organisational transformation
Imagine embarking on a construction project without a comprehensive architectural plan. How could the builders construct it accurately and to the required specifications? You'd risk having a house with rooms that are either too small or too large, resulting in inefficient use of space. Such a home would fall short of your expectations and might even be unliveable. Builders require a comprehensive architectural plan as their blueprint, referring to it at each step of the construction process to ensure they are in sync with the specifications and requirements.
Before construction work can commence on building a new house or renovating an existing one, several key steps must be taken to ensure success. This involves choosing a builder, setting your budget, determining how to mitigate risks, and then proceeding with the step-by-step construction process that aligns with your architectural plan.
Similarly, as a builder relies on a comprehensive architectural plan to guide each step of construction, an organisation must adhere to its BeHOLISTIC framework as its master blueprint. This ensures that all elements across the End-to-End Value Chain remain in sync as you transform. This cohesive approach helps to mitigate risks that could arise from changes causing unintended and undesirable interactions between components.
Transformation done right with CorbettPrice
As a boutique consultancy, we specialise in delivering end-to-end services and training solutions aimed at transformative outcomes. Our unique approach is grounded in direct experiences and successful projects delivered for our clients.
Experience the CorbettPrice difference: a team with over two decades of experience that consistently delivers an average ROI of 12X in terms of financial gains and operational efficiencies. We partner with our clients through each phase of the transformation journey, from initial planning to full implementation. Moreover, we offer ongoing consulting, management, and coaching services to ensure sustainable success.
Ready to embark on a transformation journey that delivers lasting impact? To learn more about how our BeHOLISTIC framework can revolutionise your organisation, or to explore our training programmes, please get in touch with us.
