A successful implementation of change requires a trained change professional, as well as a strategic approach to prioritize the personal aspect of the change. To help support your new change initiative, here are 11 strategies that can be used to ensure that changes made during implementation of a change management process are adopted by all stakeholders. First and foremost, it is important to evaluate which of the many possibilities could apply to people who will be affected by a change. This can help the manager select the right way to overcome resistance.
Organizations must view effective change management as a risk mitigation strategy and a cost avoidance technique in order to remain relevant and competitive in their industry. Providing clear and open lines of communication throughout the process is a fundamental element in all modes of change. This is the common thread that runs through the entire practice of change management. Kaizen, which means “continuous improvement” or “change for the better”, is at the heart of any change management initiative. In response, most companies or divisions of large corporations realize that they must make moderate organizational changes at least once a year and major changes every four or five years. Books that promote these concepts range from Change the Culture, Change the Game by Roger Connors and Tom Smith, to Alan Deutschman's call to action in Change or Die, Beyond Change Management by Linda Ackerman Anderson, and Managing at the Speed of Change by Daryl Conner. Documenting the process also serves as a guide for new employees to operate efficiently during change activities.
A coherent change management process will help minimize the negative impact of change on your organization and your staff. Corporate training programs based on how to manage change (and the fear and anxiety that it entails) are an excellent way for organizations to support the implementation of changes in the future. Today, more and more managers must deal with new government regulations, new products, growth, increased competition, technological advancements, and a changing workforce. Effective change management processes are based on support activities and tools, which are often developed and managed by the change management team or other stakeholders. In addition, the models and certifications of the Association of Change Management Professionals have come to life in support of this growing industry.
