Cart is empty 
When reflecting on the year, it feels too easy to only focus on the challenges and the difficulties that we have faced over the past months.
The default position taken in December seems to be, “Wow, this has been a long, hard year I can’t wait for the break”. It is a common statement, and it is almost always met with nodding and agreement.
It seems safe to talk about how hard the year has been and somehow wrong to say, “This has been an amazing year – can’t wait for next year”.
Nobody says that…
Am I wrong?
We found ourselves falling into that trap too. Yip, it’s the second year of Business Agile and it is not all sunshine and roses. There are so many challenges and uphill battles – but actually…. If we are bold enough…. We want to say…
“It has been an amazing year – and we can’t wait for next year”
We often reflect on the fact that we love what we do and that we get to work with wonderful people, doing challenging interesting work that really does move the needle and takes people and organizations forward.
It’s not easy, but if it was – we would be out of a job, we must enjoy the challenge if we are to succeed. Part enjoying the challenge is to recognize the positive things that have happened to the team and the business. Let’s mention a few:
We have learnt so much.
Vanessa has dedicated herself to learning and self-improvement and is enroute to becoming the second SPCt in Africa. She has poured herself into the programme and is nearing the end – we hope that very soon we will be able to celebrate with her as she is certified.
We know it’s not about the piece of paper, but about the valuable application of knowledge and appreciation of our clients that make all the sacrifices worthwhile. Vanessa has also become a thought leader with an international community of experts and has brought so much knowledge to the team and our clients.
It was Natalie’s first full year as an SPC and she has shone – stepping into the light to lead training, client engagements and public speaking – GO NATALIE!
Our team always talks about not just doing the work but making an impact. We challenge ourselves to build case studies from all our clients and to do that you have to do far more than run meetings and ceremonies – you must be involved in their goals, dreams and success metrics. Then can you talk about what you did and the impact that it made in real, tangible terms – and that is powerful.
This thinking allowed each member of the Business Agile team to develop and talk locally (and internationally) about our work in AI adoption, organizational culture, and agile in non-IT environments from a position of authority – issuing data and real metrics to support our insights. We have also been invited to host a workshop on running design sprint implementation – we take pride in not only talking the talk but walking the walk.
We have broken new ground
We have run three design sprints for clients to build a recruitment engine, a legal automation tool and an insurance portal (need to be cryptic here J). That’s three more than we had ever run before – and shows that the world is pushing for faster, consumer lead MVPs that can be felt and touched and don’t live on a spread sheet for years.
We have had clients see the future and be inspired to invest in new initiatives and revenue opportunities all because they have truly embraced design thinking and new ways of work.
We have also launched new ARTs, in new businesses, with new leaders and coached them on the outcomes they should be seeking. Watching them thrive and embrace new approaches has been energizing.
We have built a reputation
Finding new clients is a difficult job. However, there does seem to be a common theme – we work with people that that have heard of our work and the impact we make.
We could have trained them, worked with them, they could have heard about us via their grapevine – but the feedback is always positive and reassuring.
It is wonderful to know that we are seem as trusted partners wherever we go with
some of our old clients remaining friends as we passionately track their progress.
We have a human side
“People don’t work for businesses; they work for people”. We have tried to live this in our team.
We meet, we laugh, we support each other. We share insights and ideas. We fight sometimes too. We recognize the human strengths and weaknesses in our team, and we truly want the best for each other – and we believe that the client sees the benefit if this in our work. You always get the whole team – not matter who you see daily. J
We have also supported 13 children from www.childrenofthedawn.org.za , it is something we love to do. In fact, we wish we could do more, but it’s a start and we are proud to try and make our country a better place.
So, we will say it again,
“It has been an amazing year – and we can’t wait for next year”
Enjoy the break, eat an extra mince pie. Remember the good things you did in 2024 and use that inspiration for the next lap.
Talk soon, Greg, Vanessa and Natalie