How to use change to win

The narrative around change and the uncertainties that it carries are all wrong.

Change isn't something to fear, it's an unbelievable opportunity to take full advantage of.

The problem is that in the popular business press - where acronyms like VUCA and BANI are used as a kind of warning signal - the future is painted in a negative light. It's the realm of disruption and loss and something to somehow 'guard against'. The story is that organisations need to get 'future fit' - which sounds as if the process is going to be long and painful and radically different from the nice comfy corner we currently lounge around in.

Change is difficult for people who think of change as something out of the ordinary; when if fact what is remarkably unusual is no change (which BTW you only really experience in death).

So how then can organisations effectively transform into a state where they actively and consistently use change to win? How can change be the catalyst for outperformance?

That is exactly what I will be speaking about at 09h00 on the 13th of August 2024 at the Sandton Convention Centre which will be a keynote presentation that is part of the Institute of Internal Auditors South Africa's (IIA SA) Annual National Conference.

Under the King IV guidelines, the Internal Audit function needs to play a critical role in highlighting risks and opportunities for their organisations through the use of good foresight, but this critical work in isolation is not enough to effectively safeguard the future of the organisation. Much more is needed to truly affect the behaviour of companies into action, which is what I will be discussing.

If you are a member of the IIASA - register to attend and we will see you in Joburg in August. BTW - some of our most creative work over the years has been with internal audit departments of big insurance companies, so perceptions when it comes to the function should certainly be challenged.