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What is Change Management?
Most people in business today have heard of the
term, but what is change management exactly? Whenever new processes and
policies are introduced to an organization, the act of successfully
implementing them is called change management. Making the transition
from one way of doing things to another can be disruptive and
counter-productive or it can be done smoothly and with minimum of
stress, provided it is done properly. Here are some of the important
features of effective change management:
1. Change Takes Time
One
of the key things to consider when making changes in your organization
is how fast or slow you need that change to occur. Without well defined
time tables for when you expect to achieve change the chances are your
transition will occur too slowly, too quickly or not at all!
2. Lessen Resistance
Rare
is the change that does not upset someone's comfort zone. Therefore
figure out in advance who is most likely to resist your plans for
change. Once you know where resistance is likely to come from, reach
out to those people to try to bring them on board. Often times simply
discussing possible areas of conflict with those most likely to
complain will lessen or even eliminate the areas of resistance before a
serious challenge can arise.
4. Make a Plan
Successful
change management is guided by a model or framework that those involved
can refer to in order to understand what changes are expected of them.
Making it up as you go along is not an effective way to transform your
organization, usually resulting in confusion that will cause resentment
and inefficiencies. A good outline for change means having a model that
will provide the framework for the easiest and stress free
transformation. No one who is affected by the changes should be assumed
to know or understand the transformations planned without being
specifically told. In other words, better to explain too often than too
little.
5. Explain the Desired Outcome
People
will put up with a surprising amount of short term inconvenience and
adjustment if they can see what the transformed organization will look
like at the end of the process and why it will be better. Change is
never easy, and successful change management makes certain that no
matter how novel and unfamiliar the changes may be in the short term,
that everyone understands the long term success.
When
done effectively, change management can keep your organization vibrant,
modern and near the top of your field. Handled badly, it can cause
disruption, confusion and loss of morale. Unless you already know
yourself what is change management and how to handle it don't be afraid
to consult a professional.
What is Change
Management? - Related Articles:
Change management models
Change management model
What is Change
Management? - Recommended Resources
Leading
Change
Making
Sense of Change Management: A Complete Guide to the Models, Tools and
Techniques of Organizational Change
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Outstanding Leaders
consider themselves a work in progress
Dr Franklin
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pushing power and decision
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MBO
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