Eight Tips for Implementing Change that Will Endure the Test of Time

Please welcome Hazel Raoult to 21st Century Tech Blog. She is a freelance writer and works with PRmention. Her interests are focused on writing about business, entrepreneurship, marketing, and all things SaaS (Software-as-a-Service). Hazel loves to split her time between writing, editing, and hanging out with her family. In her first contribution to this blog, she focuses on implementing change that can endure the test of time.

Before you read this posting consider the drivers of change that are currently engaging individuals, businesses, and government. The external forces that manifest themselves in extreme weather events brought on by anthropogenic climate change are already driving organizations to alter behaviours. The same is true for the global pandemic which has forcefully demonstrated the change constant. So although what Hazel is describing is an exercise in organizational management with valid ways upon which to implement change, the current and future environmental realities will necessitate all of us to embrace new ways of operating and living our lives.

When reading Hazel’s contribution, consider, for example, how your organization can embrace the change needed to transition to a low carbon future, to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, to achieve a more circular organizational process and net-zero outcomes. It’s in that context that the information provided here has significant value.

They say that change is the only constant, and yet most organizations are still not equipped to handle the impacts of change on their processes or their people. Implementing organizational change (OC) is not only common but needed. That is why managers have to be capable of structuring and organizing change effectively. 

And speaking of change, did you know that only 28% of medium-sized organizations acknowledge that they have a culture of change management?

That means the vast majority when implementing change, struggle with handling the transformation that follows both in processes and organization. OC can range from upgrading manufacturing and machinery to enterprise-wide IT software adoption and implementation. 

For this majority, I offer eight tips to follow to ensure that when you go to implement OC, you succeed and that the change endures the test of time. 

1. Establish Clear Communication Channels

One of the first things that you need to pay attention to while implementing a change is identifying clear communication channels. Usually, when an organization-wide change is carried out, multiple stakeholders are likely to be impacted. Communicating the goals and objectives associated with the change right from the start can be quite important. 

Moreover, companies should also communicate information about the change and its impact on the processes to their customers. This prevents losing customers resulting due to the impacts of the change. Maintaining clear communication is a great way to ensure any trivial errors that can otherwise cause lags or bottlenecks in the process. 

2. Set SMART Goals

There are a lot of approaches that you can take for initiating a change in your organization. Regardless of the chosen approach, it all starts with a clearly drawn-up roadmap for approaching the change that you want to implement. 

Setting SMART goals should always be the first step of creating a roadmap for any initiative or project. SMART stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. The goals that you set for the change, should meet these criteria, for achieving success.

All strategic goals in major organizations follow the SMART criteria so that employees can easily work on them and achieve these goals efficiently.  

3. Create a Comprehensive Change Management Strategy

Every organization that wants to implement enterprise-wide transformation, should study what is change management and its benefits. Any change you implement — be it a new working model or a digital transformation, has consequences. Upsetting the status quo always leads to resistance. 

So what should be in a comprehensive change management strategy? It needs to highlight the goals, inclusions, and exclusions, deliverables, possible impacts on existing processes or mechanisms, and a risk register. It should also establish the approach the organization should take to assure all stakeholders understand why the need for change. 

4. Actively Seek Feedback and Incorporate What You Learn

Managers need to pave the path that others follow especially when implementing OC. 
But seeking feedback from employees and stakeholders actually can help in implementing OC. By embracing employee ideas they feel like they are contributors to the process, and become agents for change. Their perspective about change and its challenges at the ground level enriches the process and eliminates unforeseen consequences.

5. Celebrate Incremental Milestones and Achievements

When implementing OC you need to make it incrementally digestible. That’s why small milestones are important. That’s because for many the big picture is often harder to grasp, whereas short-term goals achieved can make the long-term results meet the OC objective. So celebrate incremental milestones with employees and stakeholders so they know their efforts along the path to the bigger achievement are appreciated.

6. Focus on Employee Motivation

Employees are a vital asset for any organization. Keeping them motivated, therefore, should be a top priority. You can motivate them intrinsically and extrinsically, but such positive reinforcement should be directed towards achieving the OC goals you have set. That requires employees to remain motivated which ensures productivity, and performance throughout the change remains optimal. Motivation should impart to employees and stakeholders a sense of security and ownership of the process.

7. Delegate Responsibilities Effectively

One of the biggest mistakes managers make when implementing OC is taking on the bulk of the workload and tasks required for achieving the end results. Instead, it is better to structure responsibilities effectively and learn to delegate.  It’s also important to develop clear communication channels with responsibilities well-delineated including accountability. Doing this will give managers the time needed to remain focused on the larger tasks and desired end results.

8. Don’t Hesitate to Include a Change Agent 

If the change you are implementing in the organization is targeted process efficiencies, including a change agent is highly desirable. OC impacts front-line employees who often face the brunt of the change. That’s why change agents are useful to smooth the process of communication between managers and other team members, providing the technical know-how required for success. Budgeting for an outside change agent before beginning the process could shorten the timelines for achieving OC milestones, offsetting the consultation fees incurred from employing these experts. 

Wrapping Up

Implementing OC is no easy task, especially when it is a major one impacting an entire organization. And with external forces and their impacts on organizations in the 21st century, change is becoming a constant. Following the tips described here may help minimize the disruptive impacts of the OC you will need to implement.