Culture, capability and commitment: Is your organisation ready for change
Technology is really only half the story. The rest? It’s people.
The very best CRM or website platform will struggle to deliver value if the organisation using it isn’t ready for change.
Digital transformation requires capability, commitment, and — crucially — a culture that supports adaptation, learning, and collaboration.
So how do you know if your organisation is ready?
1. Is change seen as an opportunity or a threat?
Some people welcome change. Others worry about how it will affect their role, workload, or systems.
That doesn’t necessarily mean they’re being negative — it just means they are in need of support and reassurance. Senior leaders play a vital role in setting the tone. If change is seen as something being imposed on staff, resistance will grow. If it is seen as a collaborative effort, then it is a whole different story.
2. Is there capacity to learn something new?
Digital platforms require new skills, new processes, and a willingness to let go of old ways of working.
We need to ask teams are prepared to:
- Attend training?
- Try new systems?
- Adapt existing habits?
If day-to-day workloads are already stretched, even the best systems get underused.
3. Can the organisation be honest with itself?
A successful project starts with a clear pragmatic valuation of where things stand now:
- What’s working?
- What’s inefficient?
- Where are the data gaps?
- Are there siloed systems or processes?
Organisations that are open about these questions — and willing to challenge assumptions tend to make more rapid progress.
4. Will the project have visible, ongoing leadership?
Too often, projects are handed off to IT or a project team, with little further input from the Senior Management Team.
It is a matter of perception; if the organisation doesn’t see the project as a priority for the leadership, how will it become one for staff? Consistent visible support from senior leaders gives projects credibility and momentum.
A final thought
Culture isn’t an abstract. It’s the difference between a project that stalls or fails and one that transforms how your organisation works.
Before investing in new technology, take a moment to take a good look. Is your organisation truly ready to make the most of it?
Ben Sturt is Managing Director of Chrysalis Digital, and has worked closely with Membership organisations for over 20 years, spanning many sub-verticals within this field, leading and supporting on digital transformations for many membership organisations.
With this wealth of experience he launched Chrysalis Digital in 2015, drawing upon the deep understanding and unique challenges within membership organisations. Ben creates and leads digital strategy transformations enabling membership organisations to achieve successful digital outcomes.
Ben will be leading the deepdive session "Building Your Capacity for Succesful Digital Projects" at the Associations UK Congress on 8 December.
