Over the past decade the world propelled like a rocket ship into the digital age. Everything we do, from purchasing products and services, to working from home, we do through technology. Smartphones and devices have become extensions of our body. Data has become an asset for organizations, and an improved digital customer experience is one of the best ways to differentiate products and services. Experience is the new currency. Yet with all the wonderful opportunities the digital revolution brings, it also brings challenges. Many organizations struggle to transform their business to a digital ..read more

Getty Images Agile transformation continues to be a goal for many organizations. The old sequential approach to product delivery (Waterfall) is no longer adequate. To respond to change and compete with the speed of globalization, companies must move to an Agile model. The goal to improve agility is not limited to the tech industry. Financial services, retail, healthcare, and many others are all on board with Agile. Many companies find the shift to Agile difficult. As a consultant, I know the challenges firsthand. Some of the problems are more difficult than others. For example, companies with ..read more

Throughout my career, I’ve had the benefit of learning from different types of leaders. I have found that the greatest of them, all have one thing in common. They all strive to help others succeed. They enjoy helping people. It gives them sense of fulfillment that goes beyond personal gains. We often here people in leadership positions speak about their commitment to service. They tout “servant leadership” as their motto, yet their words often ring hollow. Too often we learn that self-interest is their true motivation. These people are leadership impostors. True leaders are differen ..read more

Trust is the rocket fuel that propels agile organizations forward. Without it, bureaucracy and rigid management can grind things to a halt. For companies to be fast and flexible, leaders must break down the barriers that hinder trust. In this article I will describe how executives, managers and team members can foster a culture of trust to improve agility. Executives Executives of large companies often do not grasp what it takes to be agile. To their defense, they have a lot going on. It’s easy for them to stay on the sidelines when it comes to improving agility. Let Jim, the VP of IT go work ..read more

Thank you for your support in 2018. Wishing you and your family a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! “Cultivate the habit of being grateful for every good thing that comes to you, and to give thanks continuously. And because all things have contributed to your advancement, you should include all things in your gratitude.” – RALPH WALDO EMERSON The post Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! first appeared on MacIsaac Consulting ..read more

Heather Wray-Isquierdo, Tere MacIsaac, Mike MacIsaac Last night my wife Tere and I attended a great event by the Minnesota High Tech Association (MHTA) and Women Leading in Technology (WLiT) program. The keynote speaker was executive coach Heather Wray-Isquierdo. Heather did a wonderful job! She explained the benefits of practicing mindfulness and emotional intelligence. She also provided easy to put in place techniques. You can learn more about Heather at her website. “Search Inside Yourself” is a training program first developed at Google. The program aims at teaching mindfulness and emoti ..read more

I’ve always had a great deal of respect for project managers. Managing projects, especially IT projects, is challenging. It requires skilled individuals who are strong communicators and cool under pressure. They juggle competing priorities while managing personality conflicts and keeping stakeholders happy. I’ve been fortunate enough to have worked with some great project managers. Over time I’ve learned there are three things you can count on them to do. Here they are: 1.   They provide clear communication – They keep stakeholders updated through easy to understand written and ..read more

Check out my latest video on Agile Transformation. In this short video, I touch on the advantages of Agile Transformation. I also discuss the challenges and what leadership can do to help. About the Author: Mike MacIsaac is the owner and principal consultant for MacIsaac Consulting. Mike provides leadership as an Agile Delivery Consultant and IT Project/Program Manager. Follow Mike on Twitter@MikeMacIsaac or visit Mike’s blog. The post What Is Agile Transformation? first appeared on MacIsaac Consulting ..read more

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