By Alex Phelps, Senior Partner
In the fast-paced world of modern business, companies want it all: rapid improvement, cost savings, and minimal risk. But there’s a catch. Many are hesitant to fully embrace the changes that could make these goals a reality, preferring instead to stick with what feels “safe.” This tug-of-war between safety and speed is leaving many organisations spinning their wheels—and piling up operational headaches along the way.
Why is this a challenge?
Let’s break it down. On one side of the ring, we have the heavyweight champion: multiyear transformation projects. These initiatives aim to tackle every problem under the sun. They’re methodical, meticulous, and (let’s face it) pricey. The appeal? They promise to fix everything with a nice bow of predictability. The downside? By the time they’re done, the world has moved on, the team has changed multiple times—and the business might already be playing catch-up.
In the other corner, we have the underdog challenger: cloud-based, high-risk, fast-track technologies. These solutions are lean, agile, and often more affordable. They’re designed to deliver workable solutions quickly and be improved over time, with a big reliance on integration. But their pace and perceived risk can be intimidating. What if something breaks? What if it doesn’t integrate as seamlessly as advertised? For companies accustomed to carefully controlled environments, this approach can feel like stepping off a cliff.
So, what happens? Often, neither side wins. Businesses end up in limbo, demanding onerous cycles of bureaucracy before anything can start, sticking with their outdated systems and processes by default.
But here’s the truth: Modern companies can’t afford to play it safe forever. Theres no doubt risk is scary. But the biggest risk of all is standing still whilst your competitors race ahead. Clinging to the comfort of legacy systems and growing transformation red tape won’t just slow you down—it’ll leave you behind.
What is a realistic way forward? Don’t make it a choice between slow and safe or fast and risky. The smartest businesses are finding ways to blend the two:
🎯 Think big, act small: Define the business value being created, but put working solutions into the hands of users in months and not years. Progressively build momentum, confidence, and create early value.
🌐 Embrace cloud and integration: Yes, it’s faster and cheaper, but it’s also the future. Start with less critical systems and involve users regularly.
🔄 Learn to fail fast: Not every fast-track project will be a roaring success. But failing teaches you valuable lessons—and the cost of trying is often far less than the cost of waiting.
🏆 Reward progress, not perfection: Celebrate wins along the way, even if they’re small. Success stories inspire teams to keep pushing forward.
Examples of Going Fast and Winning:
While the idea of embracing risk can feel daunting, there are several notable companies that have done just that—and come out ahead of their competition.
🚗 Uber’s Disruptive Leap: Travis Kalanick and Garrett Camp started Uber in 2009 because they wanted to make it easier and cheaper to get around after having trouble finding a taxi in Paris on a snowy New Year’s Eve, spending $800 on a private driver. Uber’s Minimum Viable Product was a basic app called UberCab that allowed users to request a black car service in San Francisco; it focused on a few features that let users book and pay for rides and only onboarded a small pool of beta users who could access the app by invitation.
🚀 Space X disrupts space travel— Space travel was slow to innovate and expensive. Space X made rocket components re-usable (a first of a kind) to reduce costs and sped up decision-making. Space X started by creating the reusable Merlin engine.
Moving forward is non-negotiable; doing nothing is a decision to go backwards.
Take calculated risks, creating roadmaps that deliver value now and in the future. Embrace change and strike the right balance between ambition and putting solutions in the hands of your employees. Break free from red tape paralysis and step confidently into the future.
