Gartner Research Director Donna Fitzgerald

1) Always do a phased implementation.  Grass-roots and good public opinion are your friends.  If you can’t do that then do a large conference room pilot and let “influencers” come in and experience the new reality
2) Understand the social network of your organization.  Know who people turn to for help, advice and leadership and ensure they are either on board with your project or that they have agree to at least adopt a wait and see attitude.  (Dealing with powerful, vocal detrators is a subject for another blog.)
3) Understand the power of storytelling.  Corporate messaging is good BUT the story people tell themselves about the change is what really matters.  In many ways it’s the storytelling that fuels “the last mile”.