Institute of Change and Transformation Professionals Asia a Professional Body in the making

Change and Transformation are heavily Impacted by country culture in Asia and consequently, it is practiced in a way that allows for those differences. The Institute of Change & Transformation Professionals Asia (ICTPA) was specifically created to take account of the different cultures in the following countries currently in-scope. Starting from a Skype conversation back in Mid 2018 a Survey was initiated asking for specific feedback as to whether there was any merit/interest in driving the creation of a professional change & transformation body here in Asia. Both two existing Global Change Management Professional Bodies were asked how, through their various offerings, they catered for the different ways change is practiced in Asia given all of the very different cultural dynamics across the Region. The replies I received did not address the core question. This indicated that there was a gap and an opportunity. Consequently, Change Management Professionals from different countries were approached to find out if they would like to represent their countries. Out of the interested people, an assessment was done to see the most appropriate choice in 2019. The following 15 countries are currently in scope … Bangladesh, China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Pakistan, Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam. Institute of Change and Transformation Professionals Asia already have dedicated and focused Country Representatives for 14 out of those 15 countries.

The vision is to advance change and transformation practices across the Region by leveraging local insights and perspectives to deliver meaningful and measurable value to individuals and organizations. The mission is As the Region's professional body we seek to collaborate with organizations and educational institutions to build the competencies and skills of change and transformation practitioners through the sharing of knowledge and the setting of professional standards. The main focus of the ICTPA is currently to provide change and transformation Knowledge; Training and Education; Coaching and Mentoring; Certification and/or Accreditation; Networking Events; Webinars and Podcasts; Job-related services.

At the moment there is a "Letter of Association" from the Asian Institute of Technology in Bangkok, Thailand with whom we are collaborating. Country Representatives for 14 out of 15 countries in scope. A LinkedIn Company Page with over 987 followers, LinkedIn Group with over 1,177 members. A Facebook Page with more than 1500 followers and a website. We have working groups that are at the final stages to complete the terms of modalities and eventually incorporate them in Singapore.

The founder and Country Representative Thailand Ron Leeman say ‘Having lived in Asia since 2011 I increasingly came to the realisation that change & transformation is practiced differently in the Region and the two professional bodies that represent the global “change” community didn’t cater for this with their offerings. After a couple of surveys, it was clear that there was an appetite for the Region to have its own professional body so in 2019 the ICTPA was “born”. We are now on a journey that will eventually provide the Region with its own identity in relation to change & transformation. I am honoured to be working with some dedicated Country Representatives and am proud to have started this journey. I look forward to officially launching the ICTPA soon.’ He brings to the ICTPA Recognised Change Management “thought leader” with over 40-years experience; Trainer, Coach, and Mentor on all things Change Management; Global exposure of USA, UK, Europe, Middle East, and Asia; Extensive cross-industry experience and exposure to numerous technology applications/platforms; Change Leader of Tomorrow Award in 2012 from the HRD World Congress, Mumbai; Extensive research into Asian culture, and Change Management; Attended the University of Life and have still not graduated.

Country Representative Pakistan says 'Asia is unique and we do things differently here. I also believe that Asia is the future so Change Management & Transformation capacity needs to be built to enable that future and the ICTPA is the vehicle to make this happen. With currently 15 countries "in scope" this is a monumental task however I am driven to help ensure this initiative comes to fruition because its cause aligns with my passion. Change is not necessary but then again neither is survival!' He brings to the table is Change Management knowledge and skills (Studied, Researched, Taught, Practiced, Consulted & Trained); Lean Six Sigma (Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt Certified, Studied, Taught, Practiced, Consulted & Trained); Public Engagement through Networking including Social Networking (Active on Facebook, LinkedIn) beyond borders; Professional Exposure of Pakistan, Thailand, UK & USA; Trainer, Consultant, and Public Speaking Skills.

The Country Representative Vietnam Lui Sieh says ‘We are living in the dawn of the digital era and central to a successful business are people and change, especially in Vietnam. Helping Vietnamese organizations move from Industry 3.0 to 4.0 means embarking on tremendous amount of personal and professional change. Being at the forefront and leading change is critical to our mission. The privilege to start a dedicated ICTPA is an opportunity not to be missed – learning from others as well as sharing knowledge to others is an important part of my ethos and philosophy.’ He brings to the ICTPA Digital Transformation experience and consultancy; Project Management experience and consultancy; Corporate / Business / Executive level perspective from startups to FTSE 100 companies e.g. Training/expertise in Digital Leadership; IT – CIO domain knowledge; Banking, financial services, and insurance (BFSI), manufacturing, public sector are industry expertise that can be brought. Connections with a few key Vietnam organizations in the IT and education domains.

The Country Representative Indonesia Eddi Sutanto says ‘a rapidly changing environment, Change Management, and Transformation professionals play an increasingly important role. For this reason, I am very keen to support the establishment of ICTPA because I firmly believe it will play a strategic role in developing this growing and important profession in the Region.’ He brings ‘More than 25 years experiences as a Consultant, Trainer, and Coach; Skilled in Business Process, Business Planning, Operations Management, Coaching, and Organizational Change Management; CCMP & Prosci Change Management and Erickson Professional Coach (EPC) certifications; Bachelor’s degree focused on Industrial Psychology and Change Management; Coaching, Mentoring, Culture Training and building High Performing Organizations; Change Management Capability Training.

Similarly, all other Country Representatives have their Unique Value and contribution which enriches the Professional Body. People being from different countries bring our local knowledge, local expertise to ICTPA collectively engage, cross communicate, cross-business & cross-network. From the very beginning, it has been a diverse professional body that is creating a body of knowledge, accreditation & certifications, it will one day become a well known widely accepted authority for Change Management and Transformation.