Mar 19, 2025
How We Did It: Taking Change on Tour (And Uniting a Global Workforce)
You know that moment when you roll out a big change initiative, hit “send” on the global email, and… crickets? Maybe a polite thumbs-up from Dave in Finance, but otherwise, nothing. Turns out, getting people excited about change, especially when they’re scattered across time zones, cultures and continents, takes more than a snazzy PowerPoint and a motivational quote. So, what do you do when your message isn’t landing? Simple: you get on a plane, show up in person and make it impossible to ignore.
The Problem: Your change initiative is failing internationally
It’s time to forget about the “one-size-fits-all” approach when it comes to change management. What excites your team in the Frankfurt office might land with a thud in Hong Kong and might not even make headlines in New York.
It’s not just the “Head Office vs The World” debate at play. Time zones, cultural differences and language barriers are all huge hurdles for making change initiatives stick in your different regions. And a disconnected workforce = patchy adoption = a lot of effort for little reward.
The Solution: A roadshow that takes change on tour
To have a global impact, you have to think locally. While email communications and virtual training sessions have their merits, a hands-on, immersive approach is much more effective at bridging the gap between continents and building a sense of shared purpose.
Enter: The global roadshow. An in-person event series hosted at strategic locations around the world, bringing colleagues together for information, training and connection. If done well, your roadshow will serve as a catalyst for unifying your organisation while also turning your change initiative from corporate cliché into an exciting reality.
The Case Study: How we did it
When our client (a major player in the pharmaceutical industry) put us up to the task of getting their global workforce on board with their game-changing digital transformation, we knew they had to go bold.
Years of virtual meetings, informational sessions, slide decks, web pages, newsletters, emails and workshops later… It all culminated in a grand global tour attended by thousands of people, where cloud-based unity took on a whole new meaning.
These high-energy events involved a combination of Q&A panels, system demonstrations and small group training workshops, as well as ice-breaker activities and evening entertainment tailored to each location. We even created an on-theme jingle! The aim wasn’t just to inform and train people on the upcoming changes, it was also to build energy and momentum to take the organisation all the way to go-live and beyond.
Spanning five continents and 14 countries, every event featured the same program and branding, all connected by the “Travelling Canvas.” This massive photo backdrop came on tour with us, inviting attendees to snap Instax photos and leave notes that would be passed along to the next location. The interactive element reinforced global unity and was later displayed in their offices at the end of the roadshow.
The impact of the roadshow was loud and clear. With an average rating of 4.2 out of 5, participants appreciated the hands-on approach and opportunities to connect with their colleagues. Testimonials were filled with phrases like, “I loved the energy,” and “A lot of well-prepared information presented in an easy-to-understand manner.” The best part of all? Employees all over the globe walked away feeling confident about the change initiative, with 86% of all participants saying they felt ready for go-live.
The Takeaway: What are you waiting for?
Change doesn’t happen because you hit “send” on an all-staff email. It happens when people feel seen, heard and connected - preferably not just through a pixelated screen. A global roadshow connects the dots, turning distant colleagues into a united team, ready to embrace change together.
Plus, who doesn’t love a little adventure, a few Instax photos and the occasional on-theme jingle?
5 Tips for Organising Your Change Roadshow
Who’s doing what? Make sure roles and responsibilities are sorted out and agreed to before kicking off.
Get your timelines straight. Run your events in parallel with multiple delivery teams to create a stronger sense of unity across different locations and reduce logistical stress.
Hire an offsite venue. While it might add to your budget, hosting the event away from your office will stop people from reaching for their laptops in the breaks, leading to higher levels of connection and engagement.
Keep the energy high. Give your participants plenty of chances to stand up and stretch, and include some interactive activities to break up the heavier content.
Get feedback. Make sure you survey participants at the end of each event to ensure you can learn and improve for next time!
Ready to embark on your own journey?
We’d love to help you bring your own change roadshow to life.