Month: July 2025

Change is Not a Team Sport

Change is often perceived as a collective endeavor, but in reality, it happens at an individual level. So, if your goal is company-wide change, don’t take your eye off the individuals in your organization as you build out  your strategy.  

Change Happens Individually

Change management research by Prosci highlights that successful change is deeply rooted in  individual transitions. According to Prosci’s studies, the effectiveness of change management  correlates strongly with project success. For instance, projects with excellent change  management programs are seven times more likely to meet objectives compared to those with  poor change management[1]. Additionally, 88% of participants with excellent change  management programs met or exceeded their project objectives[1]. This underscores the  importance of focusing on individual change to achieve collective goals. 

Corporate Change is the Sum Total of Individual Change

When we talk about corporate change, we’re essentially referring to the cumulative effect of  individual changes. Prosci’s research indicates that measuring individual performance and  compliance with change initiatives significantly boosts the likelihood of meeting project  objectives[2]. Specifically, 76% of those who measured compliance and overall performance  met or exceeded project objectives, compared to only 24% of those who did not[2]. This means  that for a business to successfully navigate change, each member must be supported and guided  through their personal transition. 

So What Does That Mean When Attempting to Initiate a Company-wide Change?

Initiating company-wide change requires a strategic approach that prioritizes individual transitions. Here are some key takeaways: 

1. Engage Key Stakeholders Early

Involve senior leaders, project sponsors, and subject  matter experts in defining what success looks like for the change initiative. This alignment is crucial for setting clear objectives and expectations[2]. 

2. Measure and Monitor Progress

Establish key performance indicators (KPIs) to track the  effectiveness of change management activities. Regular monitoring helps ensure that  individual transitions are on track and that the overall project remains aligned with its goals[2].

3. Provide Adequate Support

Offer resources and support to individuals as they navigate  the change. This could include training, coaching, and clear communication about the  benefits and expectations of the change[1]. 

Conclusion

In conclusion, while change may seem like a team sport, its success hinges on the individual. By focusing on individual transitions and providing the necessary support, businesses can achieve successful, sustainable change. 

At Alterity, we view change initiatives through the lens of their impact on individuals.  Since individuals adopt change at different paces and for different reasons, a well-balanced strategic approach is critical to meet business objectives. With our Managed Learning Services program, our team will work closely with your team to develop and deliver customized training solutions, ensuring a seamless and effective learning experience across your entire company. Contact us today to learn how we can empower your employees and elevate your business. 

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References 

[1] The Correlation Between Change Management and Project Success – Prosci

[2] Metrics for Measuring Change Management – Prosci 

[3] Best Practices in Change Management – Prosci

About the Author

Kenny Leckie

Senior Consultant

In his role as Senior Technology and Change Management Consultant, Kenny provides thought leadership and consulting to the legal community in areas of information security/cybersecurity awareness, change management, user adoption, adult learning, employee engagement, professional development, and business strategy. He also works with clients to develop and deploy customized programs with an emphasis on user adoption and increased return on investment. Kenny is a Prosci Certified Change Practitioner, a Certified Technical Trainer and has earned the trust of firms across the US, Canada, The UK, Europe and Australia.

Kenny has more than thirty years of combined experience as a law firm Chief Information Officer, Manager of Support & Training, and now consultant providing him with a unique point of view and understanding of the challenges of introducing change in law firms. He combines his years of experience with a strategic approach to help clients implement programs that allows focus on the business while minimizing risk to confidential, protected, and sensitive information. Kenny is an author and speaker and a winner of ILTA’s 2018 Innovative Consultant of the Year.

The Critical Need for Enterprise-Grade Tools to Protect Your Company

In the ever-evolving landscape of data privacy and security, the recent legal battle between OpenAI and The New York Times highlights the importance of using enterprise-grade tools. This case underscores why businesses must prioritize robust, enterprise-level solutions to  safeguard their data and maintain user trust. 

The Issue at Hand

OpenAI is currently facing a lawsuit from The New York Times, which demands the  indefinite retention of user data from ChatGPT and API customers. This demand conflicts  with OpenAI’s privacy commitments and industry norms, which typically involve deleting  user data within 30 days. The court order has significant implications for user privacy,  especially for those not using enterprise-grade solutions.

Key Points

1. Privacy Commitments

OpenAI has made strong privacy commitments to its users,  including easy opt-outs and permanent deletion of data. However, the court order  challenges these commitments, forcing OpenAI to retain data indefinitely. 

2. Impact on Users

The court order affects users with ChatGPT Free, Plus, Pro, and  Team subscriptions, as well as API users without a Zero Data Retention (ZDR)  agreement. In contrast, ChatGPT Enterprise and ChatGPT Edu customers are not  impacted, highlighting the added security and privacy benefits of enterprise-grade  tools. 

3. Legal and Security Protections

Enterprise-grade tools like ChatGPT Enterprise  offer enhanced legal and security protections. Data covered by the court order is  stored separately in a secure system, accessible only by a small, audited legal and  security team. This ensures that data is protected under strict legal protocols. 

4. Zero Data Retention

For business customers using Zero Data Retention endpoints,  inputs and outputs are never logged or retained. This level of data protection is  crucial for businesses that prioritize privacy and security. 

5. Ongoing Legal Challenges

OpenAI is actively challenging the court order to  resume its standard data retention practices. This ongoing legal battle underscores the importance of using enterprise-grade tools that offer robust privacy and security measures.

Conclusion

The OpenAI vs. The New York Times case serves as a stark reminder of the critical  importance of using enterprise-grade tools. These tools provide enhanced privacy, security,  and legal protections, ensuring that businesses can safeguard their data and maintain user  trust in an increasingly complex business landscape. 

By prioritizing enterprise-grade solutions, businesses can better navigate the challenges of  data privacy and security, ultimately protecting their most valuable asset: user trust. 

Ready to take your business to the next level? Alterity is here to empower your company with effective AI Adoption Services. Our team is dedicated to educating your team on the responsible and effective use of AI, tailored to meet your unique needs. Contact us today to  learn more about how we can help your company succeed.

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About the Author
About the Author

Carolyn Humpherys

Senior Consultant

Carolyn is a Senior Consultant with over 20 years of experience. Her expertise in communications, facilitation, technical training, change management, and graphic design, coupled with three decades of experience in the legal industry, positions her as a highly skilled and leading consultant. Utilizing established methodologies in adult learning, change management, and evaluation, Carolyn assists businesses in educating people and elevating performance. Her expertise is highly sought after by organizations looking for genuine transformation as they adapt to modern work practices.

Carolyn has an interdisciplinary degree in Organizational Communications, Graphic Design and Writing. Her professional certifications include: Prosci® Change Management; Kirkpatrick Four Levels® of Evaluation; ATD Consulting and Human Performance; and the University of Oklahoma Training & Development Program. A life-long learner, Carolyn dedicates time to researching and learning new technologies. Since the release of ChatGPT, her focus has included the responsible and effective use of Generative AI tools. Co-recipient of the ILTA 2016 Consultant of the Year award for her role in creating the Traveling Coaches Certified Legal Trainer Program, Carolyn has helped over 150 law firm trainers elevate their performance.

Carolyn collaborates closely with clients to craft strategies for a wide range of adoption initiatives such as cloud technologies like NetDocuments, iManage Work, Microsoft 365, Teams and Copilot; compliance topics like Security Awareness and AI usage; and organizational topics such as thriving cultures and information governance. Her focus is on crafting solutions that address the challenges that impact people and the organization.