Agreed. This is a shockingly, overdramatic graphic of what can happen to organizations that are unable to adapt, flex and change as market conditions require. But it grabbed your attention as it has our clients who have called us in over the years to help with ever-increasing change. They rarely need to be convinced that change is necessary to thrive and survive. What they want are change management consulting experts to ensure that they select and manage the right changes in the right way for their business strategy and organizational culture. Their success, and sometimes their survival, depends upon it.
Before any change management effort is launched, we advise that our clients measure each change initiative’s likelihood of success. There are three parameters that can help you predict just how successful your proposed change would be:
1. Length of time to complete
The shorter the duration of the proposed change, the better the chances of success. As change initiatives drag on, it is easy to lose focus and momentum. Then, before you know it, other priorities take over. For large scale change, break the components down into visible, meaningful and winnable chunks.
2. Skills of the change team
Accurately assess not only the capabilities needed on the team to effectively execute the change but also understand and rate the leadership competencies required to successfully lead the change effort within your unique corporate culture and industry.
3. Commitment to the effort
You need to have a good sense of how truly committed the main players are to the change. Leadership, managers and individual contributors need to be onboard with the purpose, the vision for success, the plan to make it happen, and the part you expect them to play. Anything less and the change initiative will not be fully supported.
Your thoughtful upfront assessment will help you evaluate which change moves are more likely to succeed. Leaders can prioritize efforts, foresee problem areas and re-allocate resources where they will have the greatest impact. Too many companies try to do too much at once too fast. It is far better to focus on a few important and meaningful changes at a time.
Choose the changes that will make the greatest difference and implement them with dedicated energy. If you begin this “right” way, you will be on track to succeed.
Learn more at: http://www.lsaglobal.com/change-management/
