Change that works

In this episode of Change That Works, Alexandra Popescu-Zorica talks with Michael Sarnitz, Managing Partner at ICG, about how organizations can turn strategy from a PowerPoint promise into daily reality. They explore why even the best strategies fail in execution, what “second operating systems” can do to bridge that gap, and how OKRs can shift teams from activity-based to results-based work. This conversation is a deep dive into the real work of strategy — ownership, mindset, and rhythm — and how to make strategic plans survive first contact with the calendar.Main insights and topics covered:The Strategy–Execution GapWhat Strategy Really MeansOwnership in Strategy DevelopmentThe “Second Operating System”Time as a Critical ResourceFrom Activities to ResultsOKRs vs KPIs ExplainedIf you have any questions for Alexandraor Michael or are interested in collaborating, reach out via changethatworks@icg.eu.com

Change is always challenging, and sometimes frightening. In this episode of Change That Works, host György Péczely talks with István Kosztolányi about the experiences of successful, and less successful change processes. We discuss what makes change work, and how leaders step up to the task. István shares some of the most memorable cases he has witnessed during his 30+ years of consultant career. We discuss the underlying principles and draw pragmatic conclusions, showing how the courage and openness of leaders can help organisations through the most difficult periods of change. If you have any questions for György or István or are interested in collaborating reach out via changethatworks@icg.eu.com

What will define the executives of the future? In this episode of Change That Works, host Alexandra Popescu-Zorica speaks with Dan Palmer about why innovation management — not just efficiency — will set tomorrow’s leaders apart.Through the story of John and Alex, we’ll explore how corporate culture, education, and fear of failure often stifle creativity. We’ll also discover why nurturing small-scale experimentation is just as vital as chasing disruptive breakthroughs. Tune in to learn how leaders can balance short-term performance with long-term innovation and build organizations ready for the future.If you have any questions for Alexandra or Dan or are interested in collaborating reach out via changethatworks@icg.eu.com

I’d love to—but there’s just no time. We’ve all heard this phrase. In fast-paced, high-pressure environments, personal growth is often treated as a luxury—when in fact, it’s essential.In this episode of Change That Works, host Carola Gasser-Trinkl talks with Kurt Mayer, consultant and Managing Partner at ICG Austria, about how to embed leadership development into the everyday reality of busy professionals.You’ll hear about the leadership sprint — a focused, pragmatic format that bridges the gap between knowing and doing. Learn how small behavioral hacks, peer learning, and structured support systems can drive lasting change, shape organizational culture, and strengthen resilience in uncertain times.If you’re struggling to find space for reflection and growth—or helping others do so—this episode is full of practical ideas, fresh perspectives, and real-world success stories.If you have any questions for Carola or Kurt or are interested in collaborating, reach out via changethatworks@icg.eu.com

Agile has been hailed as the solution for everything—faster results, happier teams, and smoother transformations. But is it truly a game changer—or just another buzzword?And what does it actually take to work in a more agile way, especially in large, complex organizations?In this episode of Change That Works, host Carola Gasser-Trinkl talks with Maria Cenușă, consultant and Managing Partner at ICG Romania.Together they explore the misconceptions and myths around agile, what successful transformations actually look like, and why the “why” should always come before the “how.”You’ll hear about dual operating systems, cultural alignment, and why agile isn’t the goal – it’s just one way to reach it.Wondering if agile is your next big step or just a passing trend? This episode offers clarity, inspiration, and practical first steps."If you have any questions for Carola or Maria, or are interested in collaborating, reach out via changethatworks@icg.eu.com.

Why do big companies—with all their money, people, and power—struggle to truly innovate? In this fun and no-nonsense episode, Alexandra chats with Richard Roolvink, consultant and coach in ICG Rijnconsult in the Netherlands, who drops some spicy truths. He compares big firms to fat cats and calls them sleeping ducks - easy targets for faster, leaner players.Richard unpacks the difference between renovation (aka polishing the old stuff) and real innovation (creating something genuinely new). He says it straight: old roads won’t take you to new places. So why do companies keep walking them?We dive into the three big blockers he sees in corporate leadership: 😴 Complacency – the comfort zone is killing progress 🌫️ Lack of clarity – when no one knows the true destination 🪫 Lack of commitment – big talk, small actionIf you work in or with large organizations, this one will hit home. It’s packed with sharp metaphors, honest takes, and ideas that might just wake the duck.

Imagine you've just finished one of your meetings. And just like your other meetings, it went amazingly well! People were energetic, you've learned a lot and the team has made great progress! This is not a dream, such a world can be a reality. You'd have to change, but not much. Forget the strict meeting rules you've heard and start thinking about what makes people happy and energised in a meeting. Learn about how to build meaningful collaboration in your meetings, how to keep participants emotionally connected and how to use 100% of people's brains.Our guest for this episode is the ambassador for energetic and value-creating meetings: Julia Achatz, Managing Partner of ICG Austria.

Why do some teams thrive on creativity and innovation while others are stuck in a cycle of fear and blame? In this episode, we dive into the critical role of psychological safety in fostering a culture where ideas flourish and intelligent failures lead to growth. Join us as we explore the fine line between mistakes and intelligent failures, inspired by the groundbreaking work of Amy Edmondson.Our guest, Alexandra Gruicin, introduces The Blame Game – a powerful tool designed to spark open conversations about blame, mistakes, failures, and psychological safety. Curious to learn how this tool can transform your team's dynamics? Tune in now to discover more about The Blame Game and how to create a culture of trust and innovation!If you have any questions for either Alexandra or are interested in collaborating reach out via changethatworks@icg.eu.com

When two things merge each one brings along baggage - some good, some maybe not so good. This holds true for private mergers - like families or people merging - but even more so in a business context. It becomes especially tricky when not everyone thinks it’s a good idea - resistance and conflicts are natural consequences. Stakes become even higher when human lives come into play as is the case in the health care sector. In this highly inspirational episode we will take a closer look at challenges and success factors when it comes to such mergers. We’ll especially focus on how to design processes that involve all stakeholders and take people along for the ride . Our guest for this episode has been involved in many such undertakings: Marit Ubachs, Partner & Director at ICG Partner Rijnconsult in the Netherlands. If you have any questions for Carola or Marit or are interested in collaborating reach out via changethatworks@icg.eu.com

It’s Christmas time, and for Christmas, most of us give presents to each other. That’s why we decided to give you a present, the most precious one we have: Our failures.In this episode we would like to share with you situations during which we screwed up and more importantly what we learned from them.You’ll hear some of our best kept secrets and hopefully can take some of our learnings with you. The most important learnings usually come from our own failures however, so with this episode we would also like to inspire you to be bold, take risks and not worry too much about failing. For this episode we will be welcoming all of our hosts – Alexandra, Carola and György – who will be handing out gifts, sharing their personal experiences with you.If you have any questions for our hosts or are interested in collaborating reach out via changethatworks@icg.eu.com

Improving processes through Business Process Management (BPM) methodologies is a fundamental way of maximizing organizational performance. While one could think BPM is a mostly a mechanical effort of drawing flowcharts and writing instructions, the reality could not be further from this. In our third episode we will discuss how to shake up the organization and end deep-rooted conflicts in a sustainable way. Listen and learn how implementing BPM brings change, a new way of leadership and organizational behaviors. Because Helmut Schmidt used to say “The biggest room in the world is the room for improvement.”For this episode our host György Péczely will be joined by Matti Perttula, Managing Partner at ICG Innotiimi Finland and expert on the topic.If you have any questions for György or Matti or are interested in collaborating reach out via changethatworks@icg.eu.com

In this episode, we explore the concept of effectuation, the science of entrepreneurial thinking that equips individuals and organizations with the tools to navigate an unpredictable and unplannable future. Rooted in principles that emphasize leveraging resources at hand, embracing uncertainty, and co-creating with stakeholders, effectuation offers a transformative mindset shift, especially relevant for leaders and teams facing constant change. We dive into how adopting effectual thinking helps organizations innovate resiliently, make informed decisions under uncertainty, and harness creativity by focusing on achievable goals rather than rigid plans. Whether you're an entrepreneur or an established business leader, this episode will inspire a fresh approach to problem-solving and adaptability.For this episode our host Alexandra Popescu-Zorica will be joined by Michael Faschingbauer, Partner at ICG Austria and expert on the topic.If you have any questions for Alexandra or Michael or are interested in collaborating reach out via changethatworks@icg.eu.com

To create real impact and to do so fast is often times a big challenge in change endeavours. This is where Rapid Results comes in: It's all about short term initiaitves driven by small teams, that focus on a very clear, ambitious goal. In our first episode of the new ICG “Change That Works” Podcast learn how you can unleash this powerful method in your organization and create real forward momentum for large scale change. Because as Bob Schaffer used to say: “The best driver for better performance is better performance itself”.For this episode our host Carola Gasser-Trinkl will be joined by Markus Spiegel, Partner at ICG Austria and expert on the topic.If you have any questions for Carola or Markus or are interested in collaborating reach out via changethatworks@icg.eu.com