Organisations must change. But why? This infographic explains how our unpredictable and increasingly complex world forces companies to rethink how they operate. It also gives key ways on how they can change to better adapt to our volatile world (VUCA for those who are into management speak).
Like the illustrations? You can download them here for social media/blog use.
The next infographics will look into organisational culture (and how to change it) and outline an organisational change model that actually works. I will also seek to clarify concepts like digital transformation, design thinking, agile and lean. So if you need to explain these concepts and ideas to colleagues or clients I recommend you subscribe to my newsletter.
This infographic was first published on design and business strategy agency Cooper blog.
– Virpi
@voinonen
PS. If you want to use the illustrations in your work (presentations, training, newsletters etc) you can purchase the hi-res illustrations and the PowerPoint version of the story here: https://www.businessillustrator.com/product/organisations-change-cartoon-explainer-kit/
Genius I love this. People please look listen and think!
Thanks Gerard! 🙂
Ahhh the endless cycle of high cost consultants, motivational posters, internal marketing, and well intention slogans without actually addressing the issue.
Nice work!
I shall spread this and watch it be ignored by those Management 2.0 people and MBAs.
Yes it’s a bit depressing to witness all those pointless activities (or be part of those pointless activities yourself..). As long as people are getting paid to do useless stuff they don’t question it (except maybe privately after two pints).
Fortunately I have also met senior people who do understand all this – they are out there, I’ve witnessed their existence with my own eyes and ears. The problem is that there aren’t enough people who think like this in any given organisation. Hopefully this slightly crude explanation will help to spread the word :).
Absolutely fantastic! This is basically all you need to know. People should read this and then start executing instead of endlessly discussing… Thanks!
Thanks/tack Johan. Stay tuned for more fun (?) visual explorations of 21st century businesses.. 🙂
Great story – fantastic cartoons too.
Thanks Steve! This story will become the first chapter in a (cartoon) book with the working title “The Confused CEO’s Guide to 21st Century Organisations”. So there will be more fun adventures where the confused CEO is trying to make sense of the changing world around him (and tries to get his head round concepts like agile and design thinking). Hilarity ensues.
You might have to redraw the pane with Jim Hackett. He doesn’t seem to be turning the boat at Ford.
Cool, fun and to the point! Well done!
Hi Virpi, my compliments your cartoon is a very good job. At the level of diagnosys and visual proposal, it is perfect. Regarding solutions (design thinking ..etc..https://www.seasiacenter.com/insights/4-reasons-why-design-thinking-fails/), looks like a “consulting solution”. In a complexity business enviroment a lot of companies will lose the race. Your title The Confused CEO’s Guide to 21st Century Organisations”is marvellous, I suggest to espand it, confused Cmo’s, Cio, Hr director..I will by your work. Brava
Thanks Massimo! In the comic book (The Confused CEO’s Guide) I will try to address different aspects of change because, as the article you shared pointed out, something like design thinking won’t work if it goes against organisational culture for example.
Very well put and fun to read! I love the concept Virpi!
Thanks Andrea – glad you like it (and hopefully find it useful). It inspired me to start this book project (The Confused CEO’s Guide to 21st Century Organisations): check it out https://unbound.com/books/confused-ceo/. By the way: the project is still open for sponsorship from right kind of consultancies/agencies :).
Awesome drawings and a true message, that you’re telling us with this whole graphic!
My favourite is the one with the proposals and the workers speech “I can’t propose anything.”
You just hit the nail on the head!
Thanks and regards
Love your cartoons, they deliver the message so smartly. Can confirm and agree with it all. Love and admire your skills. Can’t wait for the book now. Will definately buy it.
Thanks for the kind words! 🙂 It’s always nice to know what people like and find useful!
Virpi, i love the cartoons. It´s a simple and visual way to explain the biggest pain points in organisations trying to drive a change. I love it, and cant wait for the book to be in shop 🙂
Regards from Denmark
Thanks Pia! Cartoons are such a visceral way of describing the issues – without appearing threatening.. That’s their power :).
I love this! Many problems don’t require a technical solution but this is the most common go-to for many with a background in tech. I’m a tech consultant and what you have shown is exactly what I and others in my company teach people. Many times though it’s the company telling us just to focus on the tech when we know that we could have the biggest impact by improving culture. It often takes a while before this will click with clients, but as soon as it does the benefits become obvious to everybody.