Change at a personal and business level can often be challenging and feel like an uphill struggle. But change specialist Leigh-Ann Gowland and her company Employee Driven Change (Pty) Ltd have a solution to make the journey easier to navigate.
LoA found out more about this entrepreneur on a mission to make positive change happen this month
What does your company do?
At Employee Driven Change we work with our clients to understand their business requirements, available resources and readiness for change, and develop and implement a tailored solution to meet their changing needs. By combining coaching and consulting we take time to understand your business or individual needs and use coaching to empower the end user to drive change.
"By combining coaching and consulting we take time to understand your business or individual needs and use coaching to empower the end user to drive change."
What inspired you to start your company?
I am passionate about empowering individuals and organizations to manage change effectively to enable growth. However, I don't believe in applying standard methodology to different change events but feel the need to work with my clients to develop tailored change management approach to suit their needs. As a small company it is easier for me to work closely with my clients to develop custom solutions.
Why should anyone use your service or product?
Change inflicted by a company transformation initiative or as a result of a personal decision can be frightening and confusing. In changing environments change management can no longer be defined as specific events with finite outcomes but a capability of an organisation to anticipate and respond to changes continuously. The experience of change and the process of adapting to change is different for everyone. Our objective is to support others in developing change management skills to allow them to be responsive to their unique circumstance, adapt according to their strengths, and have the confidence to apply this skill to make a positive impact personally and in their environment.
"I don't believe in applying standard methodology to different change events but feel the need to work with my clients to develop tailored change management approach to suit their needs."
Tell us a little about your team
Employee Driven Change is a small business with one permanent employee but our team is dynamic and continuously growing. Every client and partner I work with on change initiatives and proposals contribute to the growth and learning of employee driven change. Facilitating change management and project implementation across different contexts, from aviation and banking to manufacturing and non-profit organizations, has provided a diverse understanding of creating and implementing change management and enablement solutions to meet the unique requirements of the individuals and the organizations.
Share a little about your entrepreneurial journey. And, do you come from an entrepreneurial background?
Although I did not come from an entrepreneurial background the different traditional employment roles fulfilled in my sixteen year career from junior level administration, consultant, independent contractor, manager, volunteer to executive management and now small business owner has equipped me with an understanding of the dynamics and stakeholders engagement across different levels.
My decision to start my own business came from my drive to empower more people with change management skills and recognition for flexible and affordable change management service offering to all environments.
"My decision to start my own business came from my drive to empower more people with change management skills and recognition for flexible and affordable change management service offering to all environments."
What are your future plans and aspirations for your company?
My ambitions for Employee Driven Change are to make change management accessible and practical to a wider audience; to empower individuals with the skills and tools to manage their own change, and to build innovative solutions to manage and monitor change in an African Context.
What gives you the most satisfaction being an entrepreneur?
As an entrepreneur I have the opportunity to develop solutions with clients and become involved in the implementation and realization of these solutions.
What's the biggest piece of advice you can give to other women looking to start-up?
There is no perfect formula for success. Everyone's journey is unique. Recognize that all your experiences have equipped you uniquely to make your mark in the world.
Contact or follow Employee Driven Change
WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | EMAIL employeedrivenchange@mweb.co.za
Why LoA loves it….
Many people struggle with change, both in the workplace and in their personal lives, and it can be an uncomfortable process without expert guidance. That is where specialist expertise and an independent view come in, and where change expert Leigh-Ann Gowland and her company Employee Driven Change are making great strides. Her specialist coaching and consulting services are providing a roadmap for positive change and growth for both companies and individuals, making the journey easier to navigate. --- Melanie Hawken, founder and editor-in-chief of Lionesses of Africa