The critical role of people and culture in retail mergers and acquisitions Summary: Many Retail & Consumer M&A deals fail to realise full value due to overlooked people and culture factors. With rising costs and strategic shifts, businesses must balance integrations with maintaining brand DNA, consistency of culture, while ensuring…

A framework for addressing loneliness in the workplace for enhanced well-being Addressing loneliness and fostering a sense of belonging is not just a moral imperative but a strategic necessity for organisations striving to cultivate a resilient, engaged, and high-performing workforce. To tackle this issue, we propose a holistic framework comprising…

Reflecting on a year of meaningful impact 2024 was an amazing year for the Q5 Foundation, as we deepened our commitment to social impact and supported over 30 charities and community organisations globally. Together, we achieved remarkable milestones that demonstrate the power of collaboration, expertise, and passion. Reading time: 6…

Unlock M&A value through culture and leadership Over two-thirds of M&A activity fails to deliver value, often due to overlooked “People topics.” Our guide highlights how prioritising culture, leadership, and strategic alignment can drive performance across the transaction lifecycle. Download the full PDF to learn actionable strategies for defining priorities,…

Insights from Q5 Australia to help you lead with impact in 2025 Start 2025 strong with 7 key leadership lessons from Q5’s Australian team. From co-designing solutions and clear communication to embracing change and fostering team culture, these insights help leaders innovate, adapt, and empower their teams for success in…

Future-proof your business Strategic Workforce Planning (SWP) helps businesses align their workforce capabilities with future goals. By assessing skills, forecasting needs, and fostering adaptability, organisations build resilience against market uncertainties. Q5 supports clients with tailored SWP strategies, combining workforce modelling and organisational health expertise. A client example highlights enhanced talent…

Tips to get your team future-fit for 2025 Chris Parsons, Q5’s founding partner, highlights the importance of becoming ‘future fit’ for 2025. By setting a clear direction, simplifying processes, embracing technology, and fostering a culture of optimism, leaders can drive efficiency and performance. The actions taken now will shape next…

Unlocking workforce potential through culture, motivation, and innovative talent strategies Explore how to unlock your workforce’s full potential by building a culture of engagement, motivation, and development. In this article, we unpack strategies for fostering ownership, spotting talent, and implementing innovative, cost-effective rewards in today’s evolving workplace. Listen to the…

Q5 earns top consultancy ranking in the Middle East Q5 has been recognised as a leading consultancy in the Middle East, achieving top rankings in Change Management, Human Resources, and Management. With accolades across key industries like Construction, Energy, and Media, this award highlights our commitment to driving impactful change…

From promises to progress: are Labour’s goals becoming reality? Recorded live at Prospect, this podcast delves into Labour’s journey since the UK and USA 2024 elections. Chaired by Prospect Editor Alan Rusbridger, the panel—featuring Baroness Simone Finn, Janine Gibson, and Mike Soutar—analyses economic reforms, employment rights, and leadership lessons. Are…

Jen Gramolt, Partner of Q5 on building safer, more efficient workplaces Explore the early November Oil and Gas HSE podcast episode where host Russell Stewart interviews Jen Gramolt, Partner at Q5. They discuss the concept of organisational health, its impact on safety and efficiency, and practical strategies for fostering a…

Insights from Q5’s Sydney forum on harnessing past lessons to fuel future success At a recent Q5 event in Sydney, Lyndal Hughes, MD of Q5 Australia, led a thought-provoking discussion on transformation beyond traditional change initiatives. Panellists Chris Parsons, Nicky Bowie, and Ed Bridgeland shared diverse perspectives, emphasising the importance…

Bridging the gap between sustainability goals and measurable impact Welcome to our first-of-its-kind research on sustainability transformation. We’ve gathered insights from 160 organisations and conducted interviews with over 50 business leaders across 27 countries to bring you an in-depth look at how businesses are navigating this critical journey. Produced by…

Our first Pulse Report In the rapidly evolving landscape of Generative AI (GenAI), businesses are eager to harness its potential, with bold ambitions to scale alongside advancing technologies. But the question remains: can organisations keep pace with their own aspirations? Download the full report below. Reading time: 2 minutes Our…

What does the Employment Rights Bill mean for organisational health? The Employment Rights Bill introduces key reforms to UK labour laws, including a ban on exploitative zero-hours contracts, expanded day-one employment rights, and restrictions on ‘fire and rehire’ practices. These changes aim to enhance worker protections, but they also present…

How to effectively design, implement, and evolve a Target Operating Model A Target Operating Model (TOM) serves as the blueprint for how an organisation should function to achieve its goals. This article explores key elements such as strategy, value chains, enterprise architecture, roles, culture, and performance. It provides practical insights…

Beyond HR and across your business Organisations often struggle with unreliable people data, impacting their ability to make informed decisions. This article highlights the importance of high-quality people data, offering strategies to improve data accuracy and effectiveness. Leveraging tools like OrgMaps and ensuring consistent data input can enhance strategic workforce…

Determining the optimal ‘spans of control’ is crucial for maximising organisational effectiveness. This article explores how the ideal number of direct reports for managers varies based on factors like company culture, work complexity, and desired outcomes. It also offers best practices, potential pitfalls to avoid, and insights into customised span…

Generative AI is redefining the publishing sector, offering efficiencies and reshaping roles, content, and business models. Our strategic guidance helps leaders navigate this evolution, ensuring ethical AI integration while fostering innovation. As the industry transforms, Q5 stands ready to assist publishers in embracing this new chapter with strategic foresight.  Generative…

Amidst ongoing concern surrounding AI risk, safety and ethics, a key question arises – how can we truly harness this powerful technology as a force for good? To answer this, our recent ‘What’s Next?’ event provided an invaluable forum. It’s time to look beyond the Artificial Intelligence (AI) hype Last…

In a rapidly evolving business landscape, strategic organisational design has never been more critical. This was the central theme of our recent panel discussion titled, ‘The experts’ guide: Design your operating model for growth, cost & agility’. Targeting business leaders across all sectors, the discussion consisted of practical insights and tools…

2024 is only three weeks old, but it’s clear those waiting for a return to business as usual are missing the moment – and leaders focused on growth have good reason for the spring in their step. Turbulence is priced in Times have changed – turbulence in global affairs is…

How can your organisation best respond to an evolving workplace culture? This webinar, co-hosted by Q5 and Ceridian and inspired by Ceridian’s 2023 Pulse of Talent Survey, discusses some of the latest workforce insights around shifting employee needs and the increased importance of flexibility. In an era where the landscape…

The article provides a versatile approach to organisational design that effectively balances multiple strategic priorities, such as growth, cost, and agility. It offers concrete advice for reconciling conflicting business priorities within an operating model redesign. Drawing on Q5’s proven methodologies and tools, a practical blueprint is also given for establishing…

This article explores the impact of internal “ways of working”. Specifically, how the intangible elements within daily interactions, decision-making, and workflow structures are pivotal for business growth, beyond just a solid reporting structure. Drawing reference to ‘open working styles’, we provide you with a tool to use as a reflective…

For businesses to secure a sustainable future, they must enhance their ability to adapt and innovate in an ever-evolving marketplace. Here, we’ll explore why change capability is a vital determinant of transformational success and provide two pieces of advice that leaders can leverage to build this key competency. We’ve heard…

Shape the culture to attract and retain diverse talent Explore how organisational culture can become a key differentiator to attracting and retaining diverse talent. Turn hybrid working into an opportunity instead of a threat.  A record number of workers are walking away from their jobs. Businesses are facing an uphill…

Healthcare has been revolutionised by technology. Robots are improving patient outcomes, speeding up surgery times and reducing costs. Seemingly every week, a new drug hits the news which promises to radically change patients’ chances. AI brings untold possibilities. The pace of change has never been faster. Far slower, however, has…

At Q5, we constantly challenge ourselves to push the boundaries of what we can achieve with our clients – and with every breakthrough comes new learnings, that we bring back in-house and cross-pollinate across our clients. Our recent work on Systems Leadership has presented a new perspective on organisational design,…

Working from home or working alone? – Activate a healthier culture by supporting employee well-being Much has shifted during the past few years. Hybrid and remote working have gone from unique to mainstream. People have been asked to do more and respond in unexpected ways to meet new community and…