7 Key Factors for Successful Change Management
Estimated reading time: 6 minutes
Businesses change constantly – it’s the nature of a competitive marketplace. Regardless of the industry in which an organisation operates, at some point it will likely have to undergo some level of change in order to position itself as a market leader. Effective change management in business can be a complicated process to undertake successfully.
This can be particularly true after the level of change most, if not all of us, have had to manage to some extent in the past two years due to the pandemic. Major adjustments to the way in which a business operates or provides its products and services must be carefully managed.
How to manage change successfully
There are several different ways to manage change effectively in the workplace – but here are just a few key tips that the experts would recommend if you’re looking to lead your business through a change process.Plan for change
Before undertaking any change, a business needs to have a clear and valid reason and mission for the change process. Make sure any undertaking, no matter its size or impact, is realistic, measurable and achievable. There is no use in creating a difficult situation if there is no significant gain to be made for the organisation or its stakeholders. Start with the end in mind – make plans according to your overall goals, and ensure that all staff are also able to see exactly where an organisation is heading throughout a change process. A solid direction makes employees more likely to accept and embrace changes.Communicate the why and how of change
The most important factor in changing anything within a business, small or large, is to communicate the change and its many factors, to the key stakeholders within the organisation – staff, first and foremost, but also outside stakeholders like shareholders and consumers. There is no perfect or fool-proof way to communicate change within a business setting. But there are a few key rules to remember for communicating change:- Keep it simple – avoid using unnecessary jargon and buzz phrases. Make it clear to staff and stakeholders what it is that will change in their day-to-day involvement with the business.
- Be open and prompt – if announcements are delayed, rumours and leaks can arise. Ensure that all staff are able to access information from a reliable and authoritative source.
- Monitor quantity vs. quality – the old adage “you can’t communicate too much” is often found in business, but it’s important to ensure that whatever is communicated to staff is substantial and of interest to the audience. Insignificant information is just likely to frustrate an organisation’s employees and stakeholders. It’s important to keep all stakeholders well informed, but be careful that the signal doesn’t get lost in the noise.
- Open up communication channels – ensure that all stakeholders have several avenues where they can ask questions, voice concerns or make recommendations. Make the leadership team available and present.