The Tribune

Staying ahead of the game has never been so important. Businesses need to make sure they are questioning all those things they do out of ingrained habit versus what customers and shareholders have come to expect and feel comfortable with. Once you have identified things that are not working, leaders must have the courage to stop doing them and change course.

Sometimes entire companies need a pivotal reset. This means stopping, changing course and evaluating what is happening and regrouping before moving forward.

A pivotal reset is a tool employed to prevent a downward spiral from happening, so use it wisely when you see things trending in the wrong direction - either for you personally or within your company culture.

With our country, government and political system seemingly in the midst of a reset, we focus this week’s column on the power of corporate reset and lessons we can learn in the process.

1. If reorganising is necessary, hire the absolute best restructuring experts. Know when to get expert help in shifting gears. Sometimes the internal forces have become blind to the issues and fresh eyes are required.

2. Assemble a team of believers within your company, because a major reset requires teammates who have faith and trust one another. No 'negative Nancy’s' or 'pessimistic Paul’s' are required at this stage.

3. Understand that the journey will be brutal, uncertain and will hurt like hell. But do not give up. Tough decisions will have to be made but ensure they are well calculated ones that have been thoroughly thought through. One wrong or hasty decision can cost you great harm in a reshuffle.

4. Listen. Like never before. Because you will need to learn new things. As you learn, be patient with yourself and those around you, as they are trying to help.

5. It will get personal. But do not let fear overrun you. And maintain your emotional intelligence as always.

6. Be transparent to both internal and external parties. Without critical information, internal staff will assume the worst. And external parties need to feel your passion.

7. Be positive and remain positive. It is contagious.

8. Stay focused on your business and trust your hired experts to lead the reset because they are good at it.

• NB: Ian R Ferguson is a talent management and organisational development consultant, having completed graduate studies with regional and international universities. He has served organisations, both locally and globally, providing relevant solutions to their business growth and development issues. He may be contacted at tcconsultants@ coralwave.com.