Part I: Why companies choose agile — and what they gain
“Agile” is everywhere — in strategy meetings, job ads, and even casual business conversations. But the real question for leaders isn’t what agile is. It’s:
Does agile fit my company?
And if we switch, will it be worth it?
Agile isn’t a magic fix for every organization. It’s a working model that can deliver remarkable results — if it’s the right match for your strategy, culture, and business challenges. In this first part of our two-part series, I’ll explore why so many companies are embracing agile, the profits (financial and cultural) they’re making from the change, and how it even influences their attractiveness as an employer.
Why more and more companies are investing in agile working
Agile began in software development, but it’s now a proven way of working in marketing, HR, operations, and beyond. The shift is driven by:
- Faster market cycles: The World Economic Forum reports that 63% of executives expect market disruptions to become more frequent in the next five years. Agile offers a structured way to adapt quickly.
- Customer demands: Expectations for personalization, speed, and transparency have never been higher. Agile allows teams to iterate and respond in real time.
- Innovation pressure: Gartner found that agile organizations are 30% more likely to innovate successfully.
- Complexity: With hybrid teams, multiple time zones, and cross-functional projects, agile creates clarity and alignment.
Why agile brings these advantages
The strength of agile lies in its cycle of small, manageable iterations. Instead of planning everything in detail upfront (and risking being outdated before launch), agile teams:
- Break work into short sprints (often 1–4 weeks).
- Deliver usable results at the end of each sprint, even if small.
- Gather feedback immediately from stakeholders or customers.
- Adapt priorities for the next sprint based on this feedback.
This loop means decisions are based on current reality, not outdated assumptions; making it possible to respond faster, reduce waste, and maintain relevance.
A regional consumer goods company I worked with faced declining market share. By shifting their product marketing team to agile, they reduced campaign development time by 40% and launched seasonal promotions ahead of competitors — a game-changer in their market.
What profits companies make from the change
Tangible ROI
- Speed to market: Agile teams deliver projects up to 60% faster (Harvard Business Review, 2023).
- Cost efficiency: By reducing rework and focusing on high-priority initiatives, organizations save substantial budget.
- Revenue impact: Agile adoption in marketing has been linked to 20–30% higher campaign ROI (McKinsey).
Intangible ROI
- Better collaboration: Agile rituals (like stand-ups and retrospectives) encourage transparency and joint problem-solving.
- Higher adaptability: Teams can pivot without chaos when priorities shift.
- Increased engagement: People feel ownership of the process and outcomes.
In the MedTech sector, I led a transformation where Marketing, Sales, and Customer Service had previously worked in silos. By implementing agile workflows with integrated automation tools, the team reduced manual data handling by 50%, improved lead quality, and saw a 15% increase in conversion rates within six months. All while cutting weekly meeting times in half.
Agile’s influence on employer rankings
Top talent increasingly looks for more than just salary. They want:
- Autonomy in their work.
- Opportunities to contribute to meaningful outcomes.
- Flexibility in how they work.
Agile supports all three. A Gallup survey found that engaged employees are 21% more productive — and agile’s collaborative, iterative approach is a proven driver of engagement.
Companies known for agile ways of working often see:
- Higher positions in “Best Places to Work” rankings.
- Better retention rates, as people value a culture where their input drives change.
- Stronger employer branding, making recruitment faster and cheaper.
A tech-enabled service company I consulted for improved their Glassdoor rating by 0.8 points within a year of moving to agile, largely due to feedback on better communication, clearer goals, and a more inclusive decision-making process.
Agile is more than a project method — it’s a mindset and a structure for staying competitive in fast-changing markets. It delivers measurable results, strengthens collaboration, and can make your company a more attractive place to work.
In Part 2 of this series, we’ll look at:
- What employees really think about agile.
- Whether agile is just a passing trend.
- If it’s relevant only for international companies.
- And most importantly: a practical checklist to decide if agile is the right move for your strategy.
If you’re considering whether agile could benefit your company, I support organizations in making that transition successfully — combining agile coaching with practical implementation to deliver clarity, empathy, and results.
Feel free to contact me for inquiries and further details.
Would you like to read more about this hot topic? Click here for part 2.