I used to tell people to archive everything, you’ll need it again in 5 years. Although you won’t be able to use your archived things as they were, mainly because technology will have moved on, in 5 years it will be nice to have to not start from scratch (again).
It was kind of a joke, but kind of not really.
The ‘Centralisation – Decentralisation swing’ used to take 5 years.
‘Centralisation – Decentralisation swing’
Head Office: All the satellite offices are out of control. They all do things differently, so there’s no way we can report consistently and govern them. WE NEED TO CENTRALISE
Centralisation programme ensues.
5 years later.
Satellite offices: We’re different and need special concerns for our local customers, staff, suppliers, legal constraints, etc. The Head Office don’t get it and can’t accommodate our needs. WE NEED TO DECENTRALISE.
Decentralisation programme ensues.
Repeat.
In recent years, I’ve changed my advice to every 3 years. And now, I’m feeling that 3 years might be too long.
Is it just me? Or is everyone experiencing a faster and faster swing? One company had just switched 6 months prior and was contemplating switching back. I got the feeling (in their circumstances) it was more of a distraction discussion than an actual contemplation. Sometimes with Change Management, you have to anticipate, deal with and manage the ‘regret factor’ – they’ve finally committed to the change, done it, and since they haven’t yet seen the benefits, their instinct is to return to the old.