3. What is Influencing?
1 [mass noun] the capacity
to have an effect on the
character, development, or
behaviour of someone or
something, or the effect
itself:(OED -2012)
Or
To guide towards the
answer we think is best?
4. Why is it important for BAs?
So.... Nope....
To get the right solution? Because we need to free
To drive down costs? people from their pre-
To save time?
conceptions and fixed ideas
and focus on the end result –
Because we are right?
the Business Needs
Because the business don't
understand?
Because we are really right?
5. How? – A few ways... Not always by
being nice though!
7. Asserting
•Stating expectations /
Evaluating and using
Incentives / Pressures
•Needs / demands /
Standards
•Judgments
•Criticism
•Controlling outputs
Use phrases like..
•This must be done that
way because of X policy
•That’s not a good idea at
all because of..
•We need to make a
decision today
8. Bridging
•Encouraging participation
•Listening more than
talking and paraphrasing
what’s been said
•Disclosing mistakes and
showing vulnerability
Use phrases like..
•So what’s your thoughts?
•Hmm okay, so just to
check what you’ve been
saying is...
•I’m not sure about the best
way ahead here, it’s quite
complex..
9. Attracting
•Finding common ground
•Sharing Visions
•Being optimistic
Use phrases like..
•We agree..
•Hmm, yes absolutely
•We are all singing from
the same song sheet..
•There are real synergies
here..
•This will be great..
•That’s such a good idea!
•This is such a clever
solution
10. Disengaging
•Postponing something
•Standing back and
observing / Giving
feedback
•Changing the subject
•Taking a break
Use phrases like..
•Lets look at that later
•You could have handled
that better..
•This is just that same as X..
And it went wrong
•I need to make a call...
11. In Summary
We need to use all types of influencing
But none of the approaches will work without
Honesty
Integrity
Having a licence to Operate
Vision
Been around analysis for 10 yearsA belief the key people for a programme’s success are the analysts
Sometimes misunderstood as sales or bullyingKey to sucess
Analysis isn't about being right, all the timeIt’s about getting the right outputs for the business
We default to a style, often “nice”
Use with TS / Detail peopleNot a sale as logic based, no emotionWords like – It makes sense, we can justify it, the data shows
Can be very powerfulCan be very dangerousUse when required and results matterUse, I want you to, We need, We are running out of time
Can lead to slow decision makingWe can end up making friends as opposed to requirementsWords like Good idea, we agree and yes lets do that together
Very powerful, but destructiveCan damage trust or close down a red herring very quicklyWords like Lets look at that later, can I give you some feedback, we’ve run out of time
We need to use and watch for different types of influencing – They are all used and should be usedHonesty – don't lieIntegrity – Do you have some?Licence to operate – show that you have nothing but the wider business’s needs at heart and deliverVision – Show you understand how it fits together