Force Multiplier - We Make Lives Better You Can Too! - The Story of Sarah
Thea 🌞 Soehren, CSPO, ICP-APO, 🛠️, LION
The Problem-Solving Business Analyst | Founder of BA Force Multiplier | Purpose Driven Speaker, Trainer and Author | IIBA Chapter President | BA Matchmaker | Fractional Consultant - Together we MOVE FORWARD!
My name is Thea Soehren, and I get to tell you stories about how Business Analysis, coaching and teaching has made people's lives better, and with decades of experience, I have stories to tell!
Let me first tell you about Sarah
I met Sarah when I was documenting processes for her organization. Sarah worked in a small office for the last ten years with the same job - she designed and produced the insurance cards customized for each employer. I documented her processes, asked questions about how long each step required, how frequently the step was required, the usual BA stuff, and I discovered that she loved her job, but was frustrated by several manual, repetitive processes; for example, she spent days each month creating a specific report that she felt had little value. With all the processes documented, we quickly automated and updated several things, giving Sarah FIVE FULL DAYS every month to pursue more important and creative things.
I also discovered Sarah did not realize how critical her responsibilities were to the organization; as I showed her how SHE impacted the organization and the critical role she played, I saw her demeaner and posture change from downtrodden to pride. In our discussion, she realized her position gave her insight into areas others did not see, and things she thought needed to be addressed should be brought to the attention of management; Sarah soon moved up in the company. Doing my job well made Sarah's life better.
A Second Story
In talking to Developers in one group, I asked them what problems they were facing; I will admit, I did not understand everything they said, but I got the gist of the problem they had been trying to solve for the last six months. Talking to Developers in another group that sat 20 yards away from the first group, I found they had solved THE SAME PROBLEM two years earlier. The groups weren't talking because everyone was so busy, ("heads down"), they had no time to create relationships, build trust, or exchange ideas. I introduced the groups but believed this was a common issue throughout the organization. With management approval, created a "club" to get the Developers from different areas of the organization together. We were so effective that I soon began seeing them having lunch together and talking in the halls. The work results were impressive too as relationships were built and shared ideas began to speed production; employee engagement and morale was visibly elevated.
I love to tell stories about how BAs naturally resolve communication silos, solve problems, and how much positive impact results. What I do not tell are the many personal stories about when I come along side of individuals to empathize, encourage and provide resources...these are impactful in a different but no less important way; trust, engagement and motivation is my JAM!
Why do you need Business Analysis in your organization? With the guidelines from the International Institute of Business Analysis, we naturally resolve problems, bring improvement to processes, create new and better software, remove mundane and repetitive processes, improve communication and bring elevation to those around them - the natural results are that trust grows, employee morale / engagement improves, employee retention improves, tribal knowledge is retained, processes speed up, waste is removed, the BOTTOM LINE IS POSITIVELY IMPACTED, and so much more.
Whether it is at work, Consulting, Coaching or Teaching,
WE MAKE LIVES BETTER.
As a Business Consultant, Coach, Instructor and Speaker, I partner with business owners, Business Analysts, Agile Coaches and so many others to solve life and career problems. In doing so, I have seen their lives AND the lives of those around them change for the better as they gain confidence, knowledge, techniques, resources, and sometimes a certification.
I am thoroughly convinced that when I work to help five people, they can work to help those around them and so on and so on.... there is a ground swell of improvement, we are ALL made better.
YOU ARE EMPOWERED TO BE A FORCE MULTIPLIER TO EVERYONE AROUND YOU.
YOU ARE NOW A FORCE MULTIPLIER!
Do you know of stories where Business Analysis, coaching, training, empathy or shared enthusiasm helped someone? We want to hear YOUR STORY! Join the story and share YOUR stories in the LinkedIn group BA Force Multiplier - I am IN! or contact Thea Soehren directly via LinkedIn and we can chat!
BA Force Multiplier Leaders challenge you to improve the world around you with your interest, empathy, enthusiasm and knowledge, and watch the results.
Who is Thea Soehren?
Thea Soehren is a celebrated problem solver, speaker and Business Analyst with over 20 years of experience, and 15 in the Information Technology arena.
During her career, Thea has worked across many industries: nuclear (replacing numerous applications across the plant to conform to 810 regulations), insurance (installation of multiple applications, improve processes, and resolve security issues), medical diagnostics (refactored a Laboratory Management system), tax preparation (created a tax preparation application for public use), and waste management (aligning data across multiple applications and utilizing data rules for master data management), to name a few.
Thea is an author of the IIBA's Business Analysis Body of Knowledge 3.0, and the book Business Analysis- Bridging the Gap Across Industries. Having been in leadership for the International Institute of Business Analysts (IIBA) for 15 years, she is currently the President of the IIBA Tampa Bay Chapter in Florida, USA where she has successfully led over 130 international study groups. The success of these study groups is measured in the community built and the lives touched in a positive way; as of this date, over a dozen individuals have said participating in this study group was a deciding factor in obtaining their IIBA Certification(s). Thea was a finalist in the IIBA’s 2023 Volunteer of the Year for the USA’s Southeast region and nominated again for 2024.
Thea is invested in Business Consulting, speaking, and coaching on five contents. You may schedule time with Thea via this link or you may chat with Thea Soehren via LinkedIn.
Who are the BA Force Multiplier Leaders?
A group of world-wide Business Analysis leaders who have banded together to bring you this message: Each one of us has the ability to raise the people around us UP through speaking, training, leadership, encouragement and so much more.
We want YOU to become a Force Multiplier for those around you.
Do YOU want to contact a BA Force Multiplier Leader? We provide coaching, training/education, business consulting, speakers, podcasts, and authors of publications. Here is the link to the website BAForceMultiplier.com or you can contact one of us directly below:
Managing Principal Consultant at Capco, Business Analysis Capability Lead and BA of the Year Finalist 2022
3moThanks Thea. I have reshared.
Business Consultant, Teacher and Professional Speaker
3moBusiness Analysis enables change. Not just organizational change, but people's lives. Great stories, Thea 🌞 Soehren, CSPO, 🛠️, LION .
Senior BA | Cyber Security Cert IV | PSM I | ITIL
3moNice and resonating. I keep telling who'll listen, you need to document your as is. That opens up so much improvement scope, you cant knowingly change what you don't know current state of.
Business Analysis Training | Helping business analysts, product, project, and technology professionals create business value and advance their careers with practical, real-world online training
3moBoth of these stories resonate so much, and I love how one is focused more on the business side and the other more on the technology side. Business analysis is really positioned to get the big picture context and break down barriers across the entire business, and there are so many ways we add value and initiate a ripple effect!
Senior Business Analyst | AI Adoption & Digital Transformation Consultant| Thought Leader | Digital Product Strategist for Coaches, Authors & Consultants | Biz Technology Speaker & Educator | IT Leadership Coach
3moWhoop, Whoop. Business Analysis is impactful if an organisation wants to increase productivity and profitability without burnt-out employees. It highlights why you (the organisation or employee) do what you do.