Updated Apr 15 2021

As technologists, we all tend to have a joke or saying that has the same twist . . .

Technology is the easy part, it’s the people that are difficult. 

As much as we sometimes say this tongue and cheek, there is some truth to it.

MAD is hard on people, including IT.  MAD is a major change to a company, its processes, and its people.  It is no wonder that many MAD activities don’t pay off.  Often the impacts of this activity are highly underestimated and can get in the way of the desired return on the sometimes staggering MAD investment.

As someone who has been through many aspects of this process, I can attest first-hand how difficult this is.  IT, and particularly the Exchange / AD / Office 365 teams are often one of the first to integrate, perhaps second to HR.  Often this team integration must occur before the rest of the company is ready to proceed.  Our systems have to be ready for the business transformation, meaning we have to go early.  This leaves the IT teams executing a major project without having all the facts, plus no answers to their own impacts.

Enter this series, Method To The Madness.  This methodology was designed to help all levels of IT staff deal with the changes associated with MAD.  Not just managers, but anyone that may find themselves in this situation.  I have had the pleasure to work with MJ Flanagan, of MJInspire for several years in my role at Quadrotech.  This collaboration was such a great experience and I am happy to share the results with all of you.

The full series is hosted on Quadrotech’s Website.  (www.quadrotech-it.com)

In these videos we provide PRACTICAL advice on how to navigate MAD, and other major changes.  The series is full of videos and guides to keep it interesting and engaging.  Here are links to the content.

Introduction: https://madmike.net/introducing-the-mad-change-series/

Impact:  https://madmike.net/mergers-acquisitions-and-divestitures-assessing-the-impact-of-change/

Inform: https://madmike.net/change-management-communication-plan-how-to-keep-your-team-informed/

Investigate: https://madmike.net/investigating-barriers-to-change-the-human-factor/

Influence: https://madmike.net/how-to-identify-influencers-and-drive-change/

Involve: https://madmike.net/involve-how-to-engage-employees-during-change/

Inspire: https://madmike.net/inspire-winning-hearts-and-minds/

Integrate: https://madmike.net/integration-the-final-step-in-change-management/