Agility in business refers to the ability of an organization to rapidly adapt to market changes and evolving customer needs with flexible, efficient responses. In today’s fast-paced environment, where technological advancements and consumer expectations shift at breakneck speeds, companies that embrace agility can swiftly pivot strategies, innovate processes, and deliver new products or services, thereby maintaining a competitive edge. This dynamic capability enhances operational efficiency and fosters a culture of continuous improvement, enabling businesses to thrive amid uncertainty and disruption.
Data from Gallup shows that U.S. and European workers’ perceptions of the mindset, systems and processes necessary for true agility are driven by certain factors that allow for quick responses to business needs. Researchers have identified eight key drivers essential for fostering agility. These drivers focus on creating a culture that encourages flexibility and rapid response to change:
According to Marco Nink, Gallup’s Director of Research and Analytics, agility is more than an approach to work, it’s a way of experiencing work: “Think about how you encouraged cooperation, perhaps, or empowered managers, or freed knowledge from silos. All those actions — and many more — helped workers succeed in a fast-changing workplace. Those actions can help workers succeed now too. It is a process, though, and you might need a hand. If you do — anything from executive coaching to deep-dive workplace analyses — get it. It pays off because the actions that made your company agile during a catastrophe will advance it now.”
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Source: Gallup
