5 Ways Entrepreneurial Companies Can Prep for the Next Crises | Karen Jaw-Madson

In a compelling session at the 2023 Leading Transformational Change Forum, executive coach and organizational consultant Karen Jaw-Madson unveiled a forward-thinking approach to crisis preparedness, tailored for the dynamic world of entrepreneurial companies. Her presentation, "5 Ways Entrepreneurial Companies Can Prepare for the Next Crisis," offers a blend of deep theoretical insights and practical, actionable strategies, making it an essential resource for leaders navigating today's unpredictable business landscape.

Jaw-Madson's expertise in organizational dynamics shines through as she emphasizes the crucial role of continuous learning and capability development in building crisis resilience. She introduces the concept of 'learning agility'—the ability to rapidly adapt and evolve in the face of new challenges—as a key attribute for companies operating in an increasingly volatile business environment.

A central theme of her presentation is the strategic integration of learning, capabilities, and engagement within an organization. Jaw-Madson argues that these elements, when harmoniously combined, form a robust foundation for navigating complex crises. She brings to the forefront the importance of strategic follow-through and the cultivation of partnerships, identifying these as 'super capabilities' vital for modern enterprises.

One of the most compelling aspects of Jaw-Madson's discourse is her focus on organizational culture as a critical component of crisis management. She advocates for a proactive, disciplined approach to culture shaping, emphasizing the need for intentionality in cultivating workplace environments that are adaptable, resilient, and aligned with organizational goals.

Her Design of Work Experience (Dewey) framework is particularly noteworthy. This innovative model effectively synthesizes various organizational elements—learning, capabilities, engagement, design, and change—into a comprehensive strategy aimed at fostering resilience and adaptability.

Jaw-Madson’s insights are invaluable for leaders seeking to steer their organizations through the complexities of modern business. Her holistic view provides a blueprint for building organizational resilience, adaptability, and strategic foresight. Her talk is not just a guide to crisis management but a roadmap to thriving in an ever-evolving business world.

Jaw-Madson's work, including her book "Culture Your Culture: Innovating Experiences at Work," offers further exploration into her methodologies and strategies. This session, a highlight of the Leading Transformational Change Forum 2023, is part of a series that brings together thought leaders and forward-thinking strategies, encouraging a rich dialogue among a community of innovative business leaders.

About Karen Jaw-Madson:

Karen Jaw-Madson is principal of Co.-Design of Work Experience, author of Culture Your Culture: Innovating Experiences @ Work (Emerald Group Publishing, 2018), founder of Future of Work platform A New HR, and instructor at Stanford University’s Continuing Studies Program. She enables decision makers to address organizational challenges that affect business performance, including leadership, company culture, talent optimization, and change management.

A former corporate executive, Karen is known as a versatile leader across multiple industries with experience developing, leading, and implementing numerous organizational initiatives around the globe. She has been featured in Inc., Fast Company, Fortune, Thrive Global, Protocol, and The Ladders, as well as written for HR publications such as SHRM’s HR People+Strategy, TLNT.com, HR.com’s HR Strategy & Planning Excellence magazine, and HR Professional magazine. Other publications where she appears as a contributor include Mobile Medicine: Overcoming People, Culture, and Governance, Punk XL (Experience Leadership), and The Secret Sauce for Leading Transformational Change.

About the Leading Transformational Change Forum:

The Leading Transformational Change Forum is an exciting virtual event that brings together renowned advisors, subject matter experts, and senior executives to provide attendees with cutting-edge insights on leading transformational change. The Forum is comprised of presentations and panel discussions covering a wide range of topics that are relevant to our audience of business executives, HR and other functional leaders, entrepreneurs, consultants, and other change leaders. The LTC Forum is led by the Consortium for Change (C4C).

About the Consortium for Change:

Consortium for Change (C4C) is a network of select coaches, consultants, leadership development experts, and transformation advisors that enables us to drive change and scale up by capitalizing on our ability to quickly convene talent from our network.

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