Case Study: How a National Bank Cut
Transformation Time in Half Using Network Insights

Overview

Faced with a multi-year digital transformation, a national banking institution partnered with 3Fold Collective to rethink how change spreads. Instead of relying solely on formal mandates, we used Organizational Network Analysis (ONA) to identify the real influencers—the informal leaders who drive trust and adoption across the organization.

The result?

• Transformation completed in 2.5 years (50% faster than projected)

• Over $10 million saved in consulting and rollout costs

• Higher engagement, faster adoption, and lasting behavior change

The Challenge

Digital transformation is notoriously difficult. Most efforts fail—not because of poor strategy, but because of poor execution. This client, a 15,000-person financial services company, was no exception. Consulting firms warned the change could take up to a decade.

They needed a smarter approach—one that could accelerate buy-in, reduce resistance, and spread adoption organically.

Our Approach

Traditional change management leans on top-down structures. But transformation happens through relationships.

We used Organizational Network Analysis (ONA) to:

• Identify hidden influencers across teams and departments

• Reveal cross-silo connections where trust already existed

• Surface employees with "earned authority"—those colleagues naturally turn to for advice and direction

Armed with this map of informal influence, the leadership team restructured their transformation strategy to work with the network, not around it.

The Intervention

We helped the bank activate their internal network using a three-part approach:

1. Influencer-Driven Implementation

• High-trust employees were invited to help shape rollout plans

• These informal leaders became early adopters and internal champions

2. Peer-Led Learning

• A training academy was built “by employees, for employees”

• Knowledge agents taught colleagues in a context that made sense for each team

3. Behavioral Design

• Social proof and gamification made learning visible and rewarding

• Public certifications and team-based recognition created momentum

This approach blended network science with psychological insights (from Cialdini, Kahneman, and Kotter) to not just inform the transformation—but embed it in how people worked.

Figure: Accelerating Adoption Through Influence Networks

Most change efforts follow a traditional adoption curve, where uptake is slow and often stalls at the early majority. By activating informal influencers, the bank compressed the timeline—moving from early adoption to critical mass significantly faster. The result: a transformation completed in half the time.

The Results

“This approach was revolutionary. For the first time, we had real insight into who drives influence across the company—and how to partner with them.”
— Joe M., Head of Strategy & Transformation

Lessons for Leaders

This case illustrates a core truth: People, not plans, drive transformation.

Key Takeaways:

• Find and empower your internal influencers.

• Don’t rely solely on hierarchy—design for informal networks.

• Accelerate adoption by creating ownership, not mandates.

Whether you're navigating a transformation, merger, or large-scale change, your informal network is one of your most underutilized assets.

Ready to Unlock Your Network?

3Fold Collective helps organizations transform faster—by starting where change actually happens: among the people who shape behavior and culture every day.