Extra! Extra! Have you heard the news? Microsoft has announced the retirement date for Skype for Business! Yes, that means Skype will be no more come July 31, 2021. Although it may be a little sad to say farewell to Skype, it is also an exciting time to begin transitioning to the collaborative tool that […]
Organizational Change Management
On the Sidelines About Microsoft Teams? Decide Today To Be All In!
Are you “All In” with Microsoft Teams? This phrase has become a common question we ask ourselves and others in today’s business vernacular. Years ago, the phrase “All In” was only used by people playing poker when they would bet all their chips on a single hand of cards. Today, the phrase is used to […]
3 Best Practices for Driving User Engagement & Adoption of Microsoft Teams
More than many other applications, and specifically, more than the other Microsoft tools, implementing Microsoft Teams is a bigger challenge people-wise than technology-wise. Sure, there are absolutely technical aspects for an implementation that should not be taken lightly, including configuration, file migration, and security, to name a few, but frankly, and with no disrespect to […]
Secure Adoption for the Long Term Change Management Initiative
My previous blog dives into the different training styles in change management initiatives. In the final blog of this series, I analyze adoption and change management implementations for long-term success. There’s an adage that says, “No one likes change.” I’d like to add to that, “Even change managers don’t like change.” As humans, we’re naturally […]
Why a Transformation Roadmap is a Necessity
In our previous blog post, Create Your Transformation Roadmap for Application Modernization, we looked at what a transformation roadmap typically includes with regard to app modernization. In this blog, we’ll examine the importance of transformation roadmaps, what they include, and the process of creating one. Why is creating a transformation roadmap so important? At its […]
Training: It’s Not One Size Fits All!
Previously, I discussed meaningful training, and change management adoption. This blog dives into the different types of training styles in change management initiatives. Effective communication is not one size fits all. Studies have repeatedly shown that effective communication must be sent at least seven times over at least three channels for it to land and […]
Issues – The sleeping dragons?
Black swan’s companion In any fantasy story, you must have read about the dragons asleep and guarding the treasures. The dragons unknowingly defend the treasures without considering the value of it. You can imagine the massive loss of the treasure if you try to tickle the dragon. A small sneeze from the dragon that cannot […]
Managing Coexistence and Interop in Microsoft Teams (Part 1)
One of the biggest concerns when switching from Skype for Business to Teams revolves around the ability for the two products to work together. However, what is often overlooked is what will be required to meet these expectations. Fear not, in this article we’ll be discussing the high level in’s and out’s for interoperability and […]
Effective Communication Leads to Meaningful Training
My last blog highlighted how proper stakeholder assessments can provide efficient planning and strategies. My next installment in this series will explore meaningful training, and change management adoption. It’s frustrating when change management gets called upon to provide training, and only training, with the expectation that is the only thing required for the successful adoption […]
Stakeholder Assessments Drive Effective Planning and Strategy
Previously, I highlighted stakeholder management in a change management initiative and the benefit that comes with it. This blog will highlight how proper stakeholder assessments can provide efficient planning and strategies. At least once a week, I open my spam folder to find hundreds of messages. Sometimes I’ll briefly scan them before deleting, and other […]
Don’t Over-Look Stakeholder Management in Change Management
My previous blog analyzed executive alignment in a change management initiative. This blog will highlight stakeholder management in a change management initiative and the benefit that comes with it. Stakeholder management is the lesser known brother of the organizational change management heavyweights: communications and training. This is the area we most often overlook or choose […]
B2B Digital Transformation: Assessing IT and Technology
Rather than begin a digital transformation journey with technology (as many organizations tend to do), you must begin by setting objectives, evaluating your market, and determining where you fit. Only then can you begin to assess internal capabilities and begin selecting the technology to support new initiatives. IT and Technology New technology deployments require a […]