Laying the groundwork for change management

In the last few posts we have dwelt on the issue of Change Management. We over saw the importance of the process, various things that lead to it & its many benefits etc. However in the absence of a clear methodology ‘change’ proves difficult to handle. Outlined below are some steps that go a long way in integrating new initiatives into the old environment:
1. Building a sense of urgency: Employees need to be told about the paucity of time to launch themselves into the big league. They also need to be asked to inspire themselves & their colleagues to be continuously on the move, set higher objectives & achieve them in real time.
2. Appreciation of effort: All initiatives might not lead to success, they never do. But failed initiatives should not be scoffed at lest that would lead to employees becoming too afraid to initiate new developments. The organization should be made to understand that dramatic success comes only through trial & error. Hence all genuine efforts should be equally appreciated.
3. Creating change champions: Brownian motion only leads to disturbance, random ideas & activities need to be grouped together into right teams. Once the suitable people are in place with sincere emotional commitment, the right mix of skills and levels can be reached. And none should forget to a get a Captain for the team. Without a committed leader, the team is bound to loose direction.
4. Forming a vision: Leaders of the teams should establish a simple vision and strategy & focus on the tactical decision necessary to drive the change & assimilate it.
5. Selling the change: Everybody will appreciate the change if they realize its benefits to them. It’s very important for the initiators to sell their vision to the whole organization so as to create whole hearted acceptability.
6. Authorizing & motivating actions: The team spearheading the growth initiatives must have authority to take all steps it needs to remove obstacles, enable constructive feedback and ensure development. These actions can also be motivated by rewarding and recognizing valuable contributions, progress and achievements.
7. Let success come in stages: The whole objective should be broken up in steps such that achievements of each stage are easily identifiable. This way success seems to come faster thus motivating everybody further & justifying the change.
8. Persistence Pays: As discussed above all efforts may not be successful but it doesn’t mean that the process should be given up. Things take time to change. We should foster and encourage determination and persistence. Results will come sooner or later.
9. Preserving success: Whenever an initiative results in success (small or big doesn’t matter) the change initiative that led to the success must be immediately incorporated into the policy of the company so that it becomes a permanent fixture.
The measures listed above are a comprehensive lot which if followed by all will definitely lead to their collective prosperity & explosive growth.