Organization Design 101: A Conversation with Naomi Stanford

We are very excited to share the 30th video as produced in the ‘Just in Case…’ mini-series sponsored by Quality and Equality. In this video we are joined by Naomi Stanford, a brilliant organization design practitioner with deep experience, a teacher, and an author. Dr. Stanford has been an employee of large multinational companies, including Price Waterhouse, British Airways, Marks & Spencer, and Xerox. She has also worked as an organization design consultant to a range of US organizations in the government, non-profit and private sectors, and as a Civil Servant in the UK. Dr. Stanford is now free-lancing as an organization design consultant and trainer. Currently she is writing a third edition of her Economist book ‘A Guide to Organization Design’. Additionally, she writes books, articles, speaks at conferences, and tweets regularly on organization design.
Today, Dr. Stanford introduces us to the concept of Organization Design by answering five questions:
• What is organization design and what is its history?
• How do practitioners do organization design?
• Are there examples of organizations known for good practice in organization design?
• How do you become an organization design practitioner?
• What would I like you to take away from this short, introductory video?
Dr. Stanford’s presentation is exceptionally important as a foundational understanding for all OD Practitioners, and we implore you to listen and share this video widely.
Articles, Books, and Resources
• Books (available at naomistanford.com/books)
o Organization Design: The Practitioner’s Guide
o Guide to Organisation Design: Creating high-performing and adaptable enterprises
o Organization Design: Engaging with Change
o Organizational Health: An integrated approach to building optimum performance
o Guide to Organisation Design: Creating high-performing and adaptable enterprises
o Corporate Culture: Getting it right
o Organization Design: The Collaborative Approach
• Website: www.naomistanford.com
Biography
Dr Naomi Stanford is an organization design practitioner, teacher, and author. During her earlier UK career Dr Stanford was an employee of large multinational companies, including Price Waterhouse, British Airways, Marks & Spencer, and Xerox. She then moved to the US working as an organization design consultant to a range of organizations in the government, non-profit and private sectors. 6 years ago she returned to the UK work in the government sector as a Civil Servant. Naomi is now free-lancing as an organization design consultant and trainer. Currently she is writing a third edition of her Economist book ‘A Guide to Organization Design’. Additionally, she writes books, articles, speaks at conferences, and tweets regularly on organization design.
Contact
Email: [e-mail]
Twitter: @naomiorgdesign

[@imad1996]

I bought your recent book, and I can now understand your design philosophy after reading it.
The five design principles are so insightful.
Thanks for the insights.

[@hansho3730]

Thanks a lot for your sharing! This short video is amazing! I was shocked by your openness especially to name the Chinese company Haier as the 1st good exmaple of OD (maybe because I assume that OD is the creation of "western" business world. You may leave the 1st place to some big name western company). And I also feel and do the same things which you emphasized the 3 special tips of system thinking such as thinking about the "big picture". The recommendations of OD resources are quite helpful. I am working on learning from them now!

[@imad1996]

It is interesting to see such a video getting only 3000 views in 2 years. My experience is the majority of business executives have one interest: money. Companies focus on design when they are in trouble. When they are in serious trouble, they go to banks and not consultants. A few executives believe in the power of design and innovation to turn around organizations. Indeed, organizational change is soooooo difficult. Like changing people.