Ever heard the expression, when life throws you lemons make lemonade? I must admit, have struggled to put this into the right prospective although I’d like to think I was a half glass full type of person. Change especially in the work place can be daunting and quite stressful at times. However, some change is vital in the realignment of a firms strategic goals and help direct the business.
Change is inevitable! Once we embrace this notion, it can truly mitigate a lot of the drama it brings. The old adage is true, the only constant is change! So how does Change Management fit into the grand scheme of things? Well firstly, let’s start with a definition.
In a simplified form, Change Management for a business in a nutshell, is a transformational approach. It focuses on how team members within a firm, react, interact or transition within a period of change or transition of the entire organisation. With mergers, acquisitions and even rebranding of a company being common place in this globalized market environment, managing how the human resources behaviour is integral to the continued operational success for the business. Keeping staff members well informed of processes and developing ways to motivate even when the changes which are to be implemented could alter the job description, reporting channels and salary for instance, as all departments and all employees are affected through organizational change.
So is Change Management working?
There are many models to follow for effective Organizational Change Management as no two organizations are the same. To help answer this question and break down how the process works in real time, check out the Deming Cycle which has been assisting firms overcome the many challenges faced during a period of organizational change. And always remember, as a leader, be patient, even the negative comments are necessary as change especially drastic change is frightening for everyone.
Deming Cycle:
Plan – establish objectives and processes
Do – implement the plan, execute the process, make the product
Check – study actual results and compare against the expected results
Act – enact new standards
Good luck on your journey and keep the lines of communication open!