Business Experimentation - transforming leaders and organisations

Hosted by Rob James MBE

“Organisations, challenged by creating a path into an unpredictable future, are desperate for leaders who are agile, emotionally intelligent and comfortable with ambiguity. Yet growing evidence shows that leaders need more than traditional learning, executive coaching and leadership programmes if they are to succeed in a complex and uncertain world.”

This (paraphrased) extract from Harthill’s website challenging the efficacy of traditional leadership development practices is not an isolated view. Organisations, as well as their leaders, “need more” from business education and executive development. Discerning and increasingly knowledgeable clients are demanding more evidence of impact and ROI at both individual and organisational levels. A recent survey of 144 business schools found that 80% were under pressure from clients to change their value proposition around leadership and executive education. 

Frequent attempts to “rethink” executive and leadership development have rarely kept pace with client needs and that gap continues to widen. The questions for educators, coaches, and consultants are: “What does “need more” mean and how can we close the gap? 

The session looks at an approach that has provided answers to those questions across a variety of business sectors. Its success in delivering measurable business impact whilst creating an environment in which vertical development can flourish has been proven time and again. A recent EFMD gold award for ‘excellence in practice’ adds further testimony to its value for both individuals and businesses.   

Business Experimentation is variously a tool, a philosophy and a process. It combines the playfulness of creativity with the discipline of science to explore innovative solutions for business-critical issues. It is not a game or a simulation but uses real-life challenges as a vehicle for learning. Its application is wide-ranging; from 1:1 coaching in owner-led businesses to multi-cohort executive programmes at business schools for global organisations. At the heart of experimentation is learning and impact: 

• People impact. It challenges entrenched behaviours and mindsets. By compelling individuals to think in more sophisticated ways, it becomes a catalyst for more adaptive leadership behaviours. 
• Business impact. It focuses on measurable business outcomes. Experiments can be ‘framed’ to address strategic themes and/or specific performance challenges; cost savings, increase in revenue or productivity, retention, recruitment – all quantifiable when assessing ROI.
• Organisation impact. Experimentation disrupts organisation norms and hierarchies. It challenges traditional attitudes and contests bureaucracy. By promoting inquiry, it explores new ways an organisation can navigate a complex, uncertain world with greater agility. 

In this session Rob James invites participants to consider its application in their own practices…to experiment with experimentation. Focusing on the three areas described, he will draw upon his experience of over 300 business experiments across many industries to bring the approach to life. He will describe the philosophy of experimentation as well as the methodology and techniques that have underpinned its transformative role in executive education and leadership development. 

Date: 27 February 1000 - 1200
Cost: £70 (+VAT where applicable)