Accept And Love Change
Posted on March 10, 2008 - Filed Under Business
“Change is inevitable; except from a vending machine” author unknown
Only a few things stay constant in life. For me, one example would be my hair follicles. Last year I was bald; this year I am still bald. The Chicago Cubs haven’t been to a World Series in 100 years, so that never changes. Other than that, we live in a state of constant change.
Even Dell Computers is changing. They will now sell computers in retail stores, a marked departure from their previous philosophy. Dell has always been a mail-order and online computer company, with no retail presence. All of their computers are manufactured to your specifications, and it usually takes a few days for the computer to arrive. Now there are more alternatives than acquiring a Dell electronically.
Even billion-dollar companies change course when their performance starts to suffer. Has your company ever been forced to, or elected to make major changes? The experts say that change is good; however, your associates may (probably will) be resistant. Part of “Hitting the Grand Slam” with your associates and motivating and retaining good people is to go about change in the right way. Happy associates stay longer, and lower turnover leads to better financial health.
Here are a few tips for executing change:
•Eliminate uncertainty by communicating with your associates.
Failing to communicate leads to gossip around the water cooler with the resulting loss of productivity. Your associates desire to know what issues and opportunities the company is facing. Honesty is the best policy. Explain how the changes will affect them. That’s what they really want to know. Life is uncertain, employment is uncertain, and every employee needs reassurance that they are not at risk.
•Demonstrate a flair for the dramatic.
How dynamic and persuasive is your company leader? This is the time to shine. I’m not suggesting the pageantry of a Gettysburg address; however, some drama will be helpful. Organize sessions where the leader conveys the reasons for the change. In my past life, I was the President and Owner of a chain of fine wine stores. For many years our customer model was price, service, and selection. One year, due competitive pressures, we decided to raise some prices to achieve higher margins. By convening a meeting and carefully explaining the reasons for the change, we had a much better chance of being successful.
•Motivate by including all levels of the organization.
Change has a much better chance of success if the decisions are made by more than just the “head honchos.” We developed a new brand promise; a short and concise service statement, as part of our plan to raise margins. All the associates were challenged to help develop this initiative. We achieved greater acceptance and a greater sense of urgency by showing that we wanted everyone’s opinion. As a result, we got off to a running start.
•Walk your talk.
Maximize your chance for success by continuing to talk about change after the initial disturbance has died down. Nothing lets the air out of a balloon faster than a quick return to “business as usual.” Be prepared to have individual meetings, over a free lunch or dinner if needed, to hammer home your points. Prepare yourself for a lot of selling and explaining in a nurturing, honest manner.
The only constant is change, to quote the famous expression, and it occurs at a breakneck pace. Let’s not forget my Cubbies. They won today. Maybe the World Series is a possibility this year!
Tags: author unknown, chicago cubs, company leader, computer company, dell computers, desire to know, dollar companies, financial health, gettysburg address, hair follicles, havent been, online computer, pageantry, reassurance, retail presence, sell computers, time to shine, vending machine, water cooler
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