Results Group International

Is your IT organisation driving strategic and organisational value? Or is it acting solely as a utility function. The organisational role of IT is changing. The days of IT being located in a back office or basement are the past. In today’s fast changing and complex world, the role of IT is now to be using technology to drive organisational value. There must no longer be a separation between IT and the business. The concept of IT aligning with the business is outdated. IT must now think and act from a “we are the business” perspective. This is where Sydney-based Results Group International (RGI) makes a difference. Over the past 30 years, RGI and Ouellette & Associates (RGI’s US based partner) have helped more than 3,000 IT organisations make the transition from a reactive, technology-centric, order-receiving culture to one that is the consultative, client-focussed, business partner of choice. RGI focuses on the human side of the IT equation. It provides practical and real-world solutions to support IT in building a culture of service excellence, developing a consultative mindset, improving communication effectiveness, leading change initiatives and driving innovation and agility.

As organisations focus on their “digital transformations”, the number of digital transformations that fail are staggering. Lou Markstrom, CEO at Results Group International, states that most digital transformations fail because of a popular perception that digital transformations are based on technology. Successful digital transformation starts with understanding strategy and then using technology to drive the fulfillment of that strategy. As co-author of “Unleashing the Power of IT” Markstrom, emphasizes the need to focus on developing the talent and culture of IT as the critical element necessary for success.

“We follow an ‘IT maturity curve’ model to create a roadmap to guide organizations along their transformation journey,” states Markstrom. RGI’s “IT maturity curve” model proposes four stages that organisations move through as they navigate the IT transformation journey. In stage one, IT is widely viewed as a supplier or order taker. In the second phase, IT acts as a solution provider where organizations ask their IT teams for input on initiatives or in identifying new solutions.

Subsequently, in stage three of the “IT maturity curve,” IT teams take the role of a partner by strategizing, planning, and setting goals together with the rest of the organization. And finally, in stage four, IT assumes a leadership role by acting as an innovative anticipator. At this stage, the IT team gets out in front of the organisation and is using technology to drive strategic and organisational value. Markstrom further notes, that as an organisation moves up the IT maturity curve they must remember that each level is the foundation for the next and the work at the previous levels must still be done well to enter and maintain performing at the higher levels.

RGI capitalizes on more than two decades of its experience to assess organizations’ position on the “IT maturity curve” and help them steadily move ahead in their transformation journey.

We know IT transformation better than anyone else because we have been doing it for so long, and our ‘IT maturity curve model’ can help organizations do it efficiently and effectively

At the initial stage, RGI helps IT teams understand the fundamentals to fulfill business requirements, manage projects effectively, and build a culture of service excellence for impeccable client experience and reliable outcomes. In the next stage, RGI focuses on taking an objective-based approach and develops a consultative mindset across the IT organisation. After an effective implementation of both these stages, comes the stage of making IT the strategic partner of organizations through successfully leading change initiatives and properly leading the human side of the change. It is the third stage where the focus is on building an adaptable and agile IT culture. And, in the last stage, RGI helps IT teams assume the role of innovative anticipator. At this stage, “IT drives game changing organisational value and other teams follow because they view the work that IT is doing as a way of driving the overall organizational goals and objectives and not just a tech thing," remarks Markstrom.

Markstrom has worked with more than 40,000 individuals across industries to improve results, transform cultures, and drive outcomes. Several client testimonials ascertain his and RGI’s prowess in offering unparalleled support in the IT and digital transformations. One of them is from Rob Bartlett, head of IT infrastructure and services at WorkCover QLD, who says, “Lou Markstrom, Results Group International, and the Moving IT Up the Maturity Curve model has been a revelation in improving the alignment and value of IT with the business. Driving true strategic alignment and technology innovation for the business requires a lot of new skills that the average IT team needs to develop. The structured program and training workshops build on each other in a logical and progressive manner to evolve the IT team from being a basic service or solution provider to, not just being a strategic partner, but, an ‘Innovative Anticipator’ for the business.” Bartlett further adds, “Lou is incredibly knowledgeable and highly engaging, which gets everyone deeply involved, committed, and excited as they build the skills necessary to transform IT. The teams look forward to each workshop and leave with newly developed skills to apply in their daily interactions with customers to make IT great. Every workshop is filled with gems that help transform how IT engages with the business to shift IT to become an integral part of the business.”

In today's fast-changing and competitive global marketplace, the need for enterprises to act with adaptability and agility is more important than ever. To do this, organizations must transform the role of IT from purely technologically focused to business and strategy focused. "We know IT transformation better than anyone else because we have been doing it for so long, and our ‘IT maturity curve model’ can help organizations do it efficiently and effectively," concludes Markstrom.