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JEFF WILLIAMS, CEO OF JMJ, INCLUDED IN WORLD BIZ MAGAZINE - TOP 100 INNOVATION LEADERS OF 2023.
About Jeff Williams
Jeff Williams has more than 25 years of global business leadership and consulting experience, leading operational and technology transformations for clients across multiple industries. He has worked alongside top-level executives worldwide, helping them implement innovative, people-centric, digitally-enabled solutions that deliver extraordinary results. Jeff has a history of capitalizing on global trends and innovations to assist clients in harnessing the disruptive capabilities of digital innovation.
Since assuming the CEO role at JMJ in 2020, Jeff's distinctive skillset and vision have evolved the company's approach to culture transformation. Under his leadership, JMJ has stepped into the digital realm, helping clients find data-driven solutions to their challenges through the ground-breaking Transformation Cloud™ technology platform.
Beyond his executive role, Jeff is an entrepreneur and active investor in technology start-ups. He cofounded Umbrage, a digital product studio that designs and develops software solutions, recently acquired by Bain & Co. He has authored dozens of articles and studies and regularly speaks on topics such as the energy transition, decarbonization, digital disruption, and innovation.
"Our vision at JMJ is to lead the way in culture transformation consulting. We're continuously pushing the boundaries of innovation and excellence. We aim to change organizations' understanding of how workplace culture and mindset impact safety, sustainability, and performance."
WBM - Tell us about JMJ's vision.
JW - Our vision at JMJ is to lead the way in culture transformation consulting. We're continuously pushing the boundaries of innovation and excellence. We aim to change organizations' understanding of how workplace culture and mindset impact safety, sustainability, and performance. We're doing this by combining more than 35 years of consulting expertise with the latest technologies. The goal is to enable clients worldwide to create workplaces that are safe, high performing and sustainable, where every individual's potential is realized.
WBM - What are some of JMJ's highlights over the last 12 months.
JW - In the last 12 months, we've made significant strides toward achieving our own digital transformation. One highlight is the launch of Transformation Cloud (TC), our proprietary technology and analytics platform. It's built on over three decades of expertise in cultural transformation and is designed to support the creation of high-performing, safe, and sustainable workplaces by providing cultural analytics data, organizational analysis, and strategic roadmaps for success.
In support of our commitment to promoting safety and sustainability, we also recently released our free Toolbox Talks app. This offers 52 safety leadership topics and coaching in five languages. It's a valuable resource for organizations to enhance their safety practices and create a culture of care.
WBM - Why is cultural transformation important for organizations?
JW - A commitment to creating a strong, aligned culture with shared values is an investment in every organization's longevity and overall well-being. However, it isn't always easy to understand, influence, and manage culture. That's where JMJ comes in. We've seen through our work that focusing on the workforce's safety, health and wellbeing has a direct and positive impact on business performance.
WBM - How does JMJ create breakthrough results in safety, performance, and sustainability?
JW – Our competitive advantage lies in bringing together Transformation Cloud technologies and consulting expertise. We use a diagnostic called DEV:Q™, which I'll speak more about later, to measure mindsets and culture within organizations, teams, and locations. We then analyze the data and co-design a tailored pathway to overcome challenges and bridge any gaps between the current state and leadership's vision. We deliver transformational change programs in various formats to meet the specific needs of the organization.
"Transformation Cloud™ is an analytics platform built on 35 years of expertise in cultural change. It supports the creation of high-performing, safe, and sustainable workplaces by providing insights, analysis and roadmaps for success."
WBM - Share with us some insight into JMJ's Transformation Cloud.
JW - Transformation Cloud offers a growing library of diagnostics, analytics, leadership development tools, and real-time dashboards that create a standardized way to understand how people's mindsets and behaviors shape culture and how this impacts performance, especially in terms of safety and sustainability.
For instance, we have DEV:Q™ (Development Quotient), an AI-powered culture and leadership diagnostic. It provides insights into the perspectives that impact performance. By analyzing DEV:Q data and delivering tailored recommendations, we help organizations comprehensively understand the current workplace culture, where change is needed, and how to address it. What makes it unique is that it recognizes the value of each stage of development in creating a balanced company culture. An individual's DEV:Q score measures performance orientation and role preference, providing valuable insights into strengths and areas for improvement within the work environment, it's like having a cultural GPS.
We also offer diagnostics for safety perceptions, high performance, and sustainability culture, which provide clarity on where the organization stands and where they need to go to create a positive change.
WBM - How does JMJ stay ahead of the curve in industries experiencing rapid changes due to technology, ESG, etc.?
JW – We stay ahead by being agile and continuously learning. We work with experts across various fields to actively track industry and technological trends, anticipate emerging challenges, and adapt our methodologies to address them. For example, our focus on Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) aspects ensures that we can anticipate how evolving sustainability demands and regulatory changes will impact our clients, and act accordingly.
WBM - Tell us about JMJ's global presence.
JW - Our global footprint spans continents, serving organizations and major capital projects across a wide range of industries, including energy, construction, infrastructure, technology, and manufacturing. While we have a strong local presence in major business hubs, our key focus regions are strategically chosen based on industry demands, regional challenges, and growth opportunities. This approach allows us to provide tailored solutions that meet local needs while maintaining a global perspective.
"Our teams comprise professionals from various backgrounds, including safety, psychology, engineering, and management. This diversity enriches the solutions we offer. The JMJ culture is characterized by a commitment to excellence, open communication, and a strong sense of purpose. We are all driven by our dedication to making a positive impact on people's lives."
WBM - Share with us the qualities of your team and culture.
JW – The JMJ team uniquely combines expertise, passion, and empathy. Our teams comprise professionals from various backgrounds, including safety, psychology, engineering, and management. This diversity enriches the solutions we offer. The JMJ culture is characterized by a commitment to excellence, open communication, and a strong sense of purpose. We are all driven by our dedication to making a positive impact on people's lives.
WBM - What makes a good leader?
JW - I believe a good leader leads by example. Effective leadership involves having a clear vision for the organization's future and inspiring a shared sense of purpose. It's also about listening actively, understanding your team, and creating a positive, safe, and supportive work environment. Decisiveness is crucial, as is a commitment to the growth and development of all team members. Accountability is another key trait - taking responsibility for actions and decisions and nurturing a culture of accountability throughout the organization.
"As a leader, I am driven by the belief that every individual's well-being matters within an organization. I'm passionate about the use of new technologies such as DEV:Q to create cultures where safety, performance, and sustainability are intertwined, resulting in thriving employees and successful businesses."
WBM - What drives you as a leader?
JW - As a leader, I am driven by the belief that every individual's well-being matters within an organization. I'm passionate about how technologies such as DEV:Q can support this, helping create cultures where a commitment to safety, performance, and sustainability is embedded across every strand of operations. In my experience, when companies achieve this level of integration, employees thrive, and businesses prosper. Seeing the dedication of JMJ's people to helping organizations evolve and knowing that our work contributes to safer and more sustainable industries globally is what truly motivates me.
About JMJ
For over 35 years, JMJ has been at the forefront of culture change, helping executives, leaders and the frontline achieve breakthrough results in safety, sustainability and business performance.
Our approach combines consulting expertise and the power of Transformation Cloud ™ to make the impossible possible.
As a trusted culture change partner to many of the world’s most respected organizations, we have inspired thousands of people working in diverse industries to see things from a different perspective and thrive in their work.
For more information, visit: jmj.com
