Issue link: https://epubs.iltanet.org/i/30285
3. Manage Organizational Resistance Business intelligence will enable more information to be shared across the organization. Some individuals may be fearful that the rules of the game are changing and that they will not measure up. They may be nervous as to how the information will be used and how it will affect them. If they have a clear understanding of the need for change, then they are more likely to embrace it. One of the best methods to overcome organizational resistance is to communicate with those who will be affected by the change. You cannot promise that the change will be everything to everybody in order to win approval, because that will blunt the strategic opportunities that business intelligence identifies. Do not promise that, after the change is initiated, it will be business as usual. Training, then, is critically important as is trying new incentive plans to motivate adoption. Don’t shoot for the sky in the first introduction; establish small but important successes that will prove that the firm has a plan that it is able to execute. Success will breed further success. 4. Phase the Implementation The following are some of the reasons why a phased implementation is best: • A phased approach keeps focus on the most critical opportunities when working to understand the business problem or opportunity. A sky-is-the-limit strategy driven by vague or overly broad goals is a major impediment to strategic planning implementation. Focus on a few key metrics. The balanced scorecard authors recommend no more than 12 metrics covering all four operational perspectives. Once your firm has achieved optimal results for a metric, replace it with a new metric. • Time will work against your change initiatives if the implementation goes over schedule. Remember that you communicated early as to the need for change and how it would be implemented. Expectations will be high! • Implementing in stages gives users time to become comfortable with the application and to see early successes that will create a willingness to go further. www.iltanet.org Financial Management 49