Day Zero

All too often, we find ourselves in organisations doing the work, without thinking about why we are doing it. As a consultant, I am often asked to help organisations change and do new work. Quite often, this starts with trying to fit the work strategic goals and vision. To help them do this, I have developed a simple workshop approach which carefully builds focus and effectiveness. And… it starts with a bit of imagination and a bang.

Imagine your place of work: the organisational HQ, offices, registered address, server farm; or whatever physical structure constitutes your business.

Imagine that, for good reasons, that the building is empty of people/life, and that no one has left anything of personal value.

Then: one night, totally unexpectedly, the whole building is destroyed. Boom!!!

via GIPHY

The next morning, all that is left is a smouldering pile of rubble.

Nothing is spared. Every document burnt, (including articles of incorporation, contracts, etc), all digital files and networks lost (backup access is lost – and cloud storage is no longer available – for some reason).

Collapsed roof. Gas leak. Structural deficiencies.  Insurance will cover everything. Everyone who works there now can get new jobs and clients/suppliers will be ok. (Depending on the organisation, geography, the nature of the business, sensitivities in the news, I normally spin a story that matches the place and people.)

It’s all gone. Nothing left. Your business has disappeared overnight.

You’re not out of pocket. No one was harmed. Life goes on.

SO, what would you do?  Would you rebuild? Is it worth it?

Does your work mean anything more than the exchange of money, emails and responsibilities. Does your organisation/business not being around really impact the world in a negative way?  

Is there anything worth recovering that means anything more. Commerce is not enough. Legacy / nostalgia are not sufficient to justify the effort of starting again.

It’s Day Zero. You can start anything. 

But what does it matter? Where are the values? Is there clarity about your purpose?

The answers tend to release all the positive energy in a group and and is all comes down to clarity of values and a real purpose. Building brick by brick.  All the work I do starts there. Once this conceit in in place, it provides the structure for doing the work that my clients need.

This is just one of the workshops I use, and a glimpse into why so many clients trust my approach to their organisational change and the work they do.

If you’d like me to bring this model, or my expertise in education and technology, to your organisation, please get in touch.