Why is it that products, rockets and ships are all 'launched'? What is it about a new product that makes us think of projectiles, missiles, and boats? I've been pondering these questions more than usual in recent weeks as I help with preparations for Ignite's new change management training offer.
We are launching on September 13th and every time someone mentions the big day I have visions of our new training sliding off a quay in front of cheering crowds or accelerating skywards from a giant concrete launching pad while millions watch on television. Lack of ambition is not a problem!
What's truly exciting though is the chance to do something inspiring with the tried, tested and very highly regarded Body of Knowledge that CMI (the UK's Change Management Institute) has gifted to the profession. As well as arranging for cheering crowds on the quayside I've been delving into the detail of the syllabus and transforming it into our own Ignite-infused course materials. (And I have to say a big thanks to our accreditor APMG and Charlotte Miller in particular for help with this.)
It's posed some fascinating questions. For example, how can we use outstanding human achievement to re-frame what we mean by 'change readiness'? What does the conquest of Everest teach us about the next tech implementation? How could an organisational change network mimic the intelligence and adaptability of a neural network or a colony of termites? How would a self-replicating network deliver during a merger? And of course, it's also made us think long and hard about which of the real-life case studies from our consultancy work we can use to bring the theory to life for delegates.
We're starting to answer those questions and in the process coming up with an experience for delegates that will, we hope, offer something truly unique - the inspiration to carry out intelligent, and ambitious change that reaches the necessary velocity for take-off. And by take-off here we should be clear what we mean - we mean the mindset, confidence and skill that puts an organisation in a position to surf continuous change rather than 'swim' through a sequence of overly-bureaucratic projects. We're not-anti-project, far from it, we just believe passionately that high-quality change management is what takes a project from being just another round of activity to being something that delivers, transforms and inspires.
So yes, September 13th is shaping up to be a very exciting day. And if you are interested in learning more or think that you might be the right fit for attending the launch itself then don't hold back - contact us at info@ignite.org.uk and we will be delighted to get back to you.
Which only leaves the question I started with, why 'launch'? I don't have a definitive answer but I like to think that it's because the alternatives, "implement", "initiate", "start" fail to capture the spirit of adventure that goes with a new product. Setting of with a new product or service is exciting and unkown. It's a pioneering spirit that leads to any new venture and that seems right to me as that is exactly the spirit in which we'll be launching our training at Ignite. Hope to see you there.