Follow these Strategies for Managing Change

When you throw a pebble into a pond, you create ripples in the water. You get the same ripples when you create a change in your business.

Think about these strategies for managing your change, so that ripples do not become major waves - that ruin your plans!

1. Decide on your Change Goal

Start with the end in mind. What do you want to achieve? How will you know if it has been achieved? Who is affected and how will they react? How much can you do yourself and how much help do you need?

You need to have a clear vision - people like to either see/hear or feel the change.

2. Consider Timing

Think about the best time to instigate change. The greater the degree of change needed, the more useful it is to "piggy back" the change on some actual or perceived crisis. For example, improvements in work practices may be more acceptable in times of recession when people are concerned about keeping their jobs.

You may find that there is a natural window of opportunity where the change makes sense to the majority of people. Realise that major change takes time and allow for that. If you attempt to rush through a change, attitudes may not have changed and the change effect may not last in the long term.

3. Be Aware of Culture

Most change initiatives fail because of a lack of recognition of the importance of culture. It is difficult to define, but if change is to work, you need to be aware of "the way we do things around here".

When planning strategies for managing change, aim to involve people in identifying the "cultural web" in your business.

4. Create Visible Short-term Wins

Help people to see the benefits of change in the short term. For example, if you are changing how you interact with customers, publicise some of the positive feedback from them to encourage staff to continue with the new ways of working.

5. Communicate

Recognise that effective communication may be the single most important factor in overcoming resistance to change. Communicate your vision and strategic intent clearly. Be honest and encourage two way discussion.

Use a variety of media (1 to 1, 1 to many, circulars, noticeboards etc.) depending on nature and sensitivity of the change. And involve all levels in the business in communicating the change.

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Why Change Management Programmes Fail

Here are some common reasons why strategies for managing change do not work. Take note if you are the change agent, so that you don't make the same mistakes when planning your strategies for managing change:

• Unclear or incorrect goals or vision
• Insufficient communication and motivation
• Change seen as a senior management issue only
• Implementation strategy not thought through
• Initial problems throw project off course
• Too much focus on the technical side of change – rather than people issues
• Culture not changed
  

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Strategies for Managing Change - Step by Step

If you are the change agent responsible for managing a change, follow these steps as well as the change management strategies outlined above to help the change happen smoothly:

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Strategies for Managing Change in a Crisis

Different change management methodologies are called for when the business is in real danger. A turnaround strategy is needed, with the emphasis on speed of change, rapid cost reduction and/or revenue generation.

Managers need to be able to prioritise the things that give quick and significant improvements. Here are important steps that need to be taken in a crisis:

• stabilise crisis
• prioritise critical improvement areas
• restructure finances
• refocus on vision and goals
• clarify target markets
• Win stakeholder support
• Change management team if necessary
  

You may benefit from the services of a change management consultant in such situations.

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You Might Also Like  . . .

• What is Change Management?
• Change Management Theories
• Change Management Tools
• Change Management Forum

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