Latest thinking

Karen Thomas-Bland, founder at Seven, regularly writes and speaks on the subjects of business transformation, M&A integration, executive boards and leadership. We also contribute to leading business websites and publications.

In M&A, make the integration of at least two cultures a top priority

In M&A, make the integration of at least two cultures a top priority

When you assume you are bringing together two cultures, it's often significantly more than that in a merger. You often bring together people with very different values, behaviours, leadership styles, mindsets, and policies. The integration challenge is winning the hearts and minds of all employees and giving them a compelling vision to buy into.
Questions for board members to govern a transformation

Questions for board members to govern a transformation

The Board plays a fundamental role in a Transformation’s success. It needs to satisfy itself that there is clear ambition and direction for the Transformation, that leadership are up for the challenge, and that the right balance is being achieved between transforming and operating the business.
What are the transformation trends for 2023?

What are the transformation trends for 2023?

An interesting discussion yesterday on transformation trends for 2023 including being bolder & more courageous in the transformation ambition set and even tighter connection to value creation.
How do leaders need to think about transformation?

How do leaders need to think about transformation?

Embarking on a transformation is one of the most critical decisions a leader will ever make. So what makes a transformation successful? Four areas: commit to the transformation, lead the transformation from the front, find ways to sustain a new way of working and personally go ‘all in’.
Digital transformation starts with bold goals

Digital transformation starts with bold goals

Karen is the featured guest on an episode of the Dreams with Deadlines podcast. She talks about her experience as a business transformation consultant and what makes some transformations succeed and others fail, the reasons for failures and how it can be avoided.
England’s Lionesses show the secret to building a successful team

England’s Lionesses show the secret to building a successful team

Karen Thomas-Bland, founder of Seven Transformation, talks to Raconteur about the success of England’s Lionesses in the recent World Cup, how the key drivers to this were team building and culture and the lessons businesses can learn from this.