Rent, Build, or Buy Your Change Management Resources

When it comes to leading change in your organization, you have three clear options: rent, build, or buy your change management resources. Each of these strategies offers distinct advantages and potential pitfalls, and choosing the right one can mean the difference between seamless transformation and organizational chaos.

Rent: On-Demand Change Management Expertise

Renting change management resources means bringing in external experts on a temporary basis. This option is ideal for organizations facing short-term initiatives, experiencing capacity constraints, or requiring niche expertise without the long-term commitment of a full-time hire.

When to Rent:

• Your team is overwhelmed and needs immediate support.
• A specialized change initiative (like a technology roll-out) requires expert guidance.
• You want external perspective without long-term overhead costs.

Key Benefits:

• Flexibility: Scale resources up or down as needed.
• Rapid Access: Quickly onboard seasoned change professionals.
• Cost Control: Avoid the expense of full-time salaries and benefits.

Build: Developing Your Internal Change Management Team

Building means investing in your existing workforce to develop change management capabilities. This is a long-term strategy best suited for organizations with stable needs and a commitment to internal development.

When to Build:

• Your organization has a strong learning culture.
• You anticipate a continuous need for change management expertise.
• You want to embed change capability across your teams.

Key Benefits:

• Institutional Knowledge: Team members know your culture and processes.
• Long-Term ROI: Invest in talent that grows with your organization.
• Consistency: Build a team that understands your unique change landscape.

Buy: Hiring Full-Time Change Management Experts

Buying change management resources means hiring permanent, experienced professionals who become an integral part of your organization. This approach is best for companies undergoing frequent change or with complex, ongoing transformation needs.

When to Buy:

• You have a high volume of change initiatives.
• Your organization is experiencing rapid growth or transformation.
• You want a dedicated change management team with deep expertise.

Key Benefits:

• Strategic Leadership: Secure senior change professionals who can guide complex initiatives.
• Cultural Integration: Build a team that is fully aligned with your organization’s values.
• Long-Term Stability: Ensure consistent, high-quality change management capabilities.

How to Choose the Right Approach

The right approach depends on your organization’s specific needs, budget, and culture. In many cases, a hybrid strategy—combining rented, built, and bought change management resources—provides the best balance of flexibility and capability.

At ChangeGuild, we help organizations navigate this decision with clarity, offering on-demand change management support, upskilling programs for your team, and experienced change leaders who can drive your most critical transformations.

Ready to get started? Whether you want to rent, build, or buy your change management resources, we’re here to help. Contact ChangeGuild today to explore your options.