Is your business resource agile or fragile? Your answer will determine whether your business will still exist in 5 years time.

(Unless it wasn’t obvious, this blog has been slightly inspired by the NFL and recent Super Bowl LVIII)

We have all read them. You know the blogs and posts we are talking about – they all start with the same old thing. “The winds of change are constant in the business world,” “the business world is competitive,” or even, “in today's ever-evolving, fast-changing corporate business environment.”

We hear you - tell us something we don’t already know!

So, new technologies are rapidly emerging, markets are shifting, and customer expectations are evolving at a ridiculous pace - your organisation needs more than just great products and services to thrive, right? It needs agility. But how do you know if your business is truly equipped to adapt? The answer lies in your resources.

Today, we’re diving deep into resource agility, a critical component of organisational resilience. We'll explore a framework for assessing your current state and actionable steps to transform your resource situation from fragile to flexible.

But first, statistics speak volumes: According to a McKinsey study, 70% of organisations struggle to implement agile approaches, and 53% report a lack of cultural alignment as a major barrier. That's a serious problem!

Signs of a Fragile Resource Situation:

• Resource silos: Information and expertise are tightly held within individual departments, creating bottlenecks and hindering collaboration.
  

• Rigid roles and structures: Fixed job descriptions and hierarchical chains of command limit the ability to quickly shift talent and expertise where needed.
  

• Slow decision-making: Layers of approvals and bureaucratic processes delay critical responses to changing market conditions.
  

• Limited access to external resources: An unwillingness to leverage freelance talent, consultants, or partnerships restricts access to valuable skills and knowledge.
  

• Fear of failure: A punitive culture discourages experimentation and learning from mistakes, hindering innovation and adaptability.
  

 How to Build an Agile Resource Foundation:

So, you recognise some (or all) of these red flags. We aren’t going to just sit here, point fingers, and leave you to figure out how to fix this alone. We come armed with some tips, tricks, and solutions to help you get things moving in the right direction.

 Here's how you can cultivate an agile resource environment:

1. Promote cross-functional collaboration: Break down departmental silos by encouraging joint projects, knowledge-sharing sessions, and cross-training opportunities. Foster a culture of open communication and information flow.
   

2. Embrace flexible talent models: Implement a mix of full-time employees, freelancers, and consultants to access diverse skill sets and scale resources based on need. Encourage internal mobility and up-skilling to equip your workforce with adaptable skillsets.
   

3. Empower decision-making: Delegate authority closer to the point of action, enabling faster responses to opportunities and challenges. Create clear decision-making frameworks and equip teams with the information they need to act promptly.
   

4. Tap into external expertise: Build strategic partnerships with consultants, suppliers, and other organisations to complement your internal resources and gain access to specialised knowledge.
   

5. Create a culture of experimentation: Encourage calculated risks and reward learning from failures. Foster a safe space for innovation and celebrate quick wins that demonstrate progress towards new goals. 

Assessing Your Agility Progress:

Remember, resource agility is a continuous journey, not a destination. Here are some metrics to track your progress:

• Time to market for new products or services: This reflects your ability to react to market demands and adapt your offerings.
  

• Employee engagement and satisfaction: Satisfied employees are more likely to be flexible and take on new challenges.
  

• Number of internal and external collaborations: Active collaboration promotes knowledge sharing and cross-pollination of ideas.
  

• Frequency of successful innovation initiatives: A steady stream of successful adaptations indicates a culture of learning and agility.

Innovative temporary expert resourcing shines

Full-time hires are extremely valuable – they are arguably the lifeblood of a business. But payroll, long-term commitment, and lengthy recruiting turnarounds are inflexible when activities are fast-moving and vital. 

So, you need a digital transformation expert for a specific project, an experienced programme manager for a critical activity, or a marketing wiz for a seasonal campaign?

Enter, the extra player mode. The power to tap into specialised talent, exactly when you need it.

Temporary resource solutions are not just about filling gaps. These experts bring fresh perspectives, cutting-edge knowledge, and diverse skill sets. They challenge the status quo, ignite innovation, and inject your team with energy. Plus, you gain access to niche expertise often unavailable internally, tackling new challenges head-on.

The benefits are multifaceted: faster project completion, cost-efficiency, and up-skilling of your existing team. It's a win-win, fostering continuous learning and adaptability within your organisation.

Your staffing model does not have to be rigid. In fact, the more creative you are, the more agile you will become. Embrace temporary expertise, unlock innovation, and watch your business truly soar.

The Agility Advantage: Making Your Business More Agile

Building an agile resource environment isn't just about reacting to change; it's about leading it. By becoming adept at adapting your resources, you unlock a major competitive advantage. Agility isn't a luxury – it's a necessity for survival and success.

So, where do you go from here? Take action today, assess your resource agility, and unlock the potential for your business to thrive in the face of any change.

Let's connect! Share your thoughts and experiences with building resource agility in the comments below. And if you have any questions, we are always happy to help.

Please drop a message to hello@eighteights.com or call 01275333003.

Let's chat about how our industry-first approach to change and project partnering can help your business to thrive.