The New Imperative
The rate of organizational change has not slowed and is in fact on a steep climb upward. The rapid and continual innovation in technology is driving changes to organizational systems and processes. Witness the startling impact that the recent downturn has had on organizations and people around the world which occurred at lightning speed. Add to this the increased expectations of employees as they move more freely between organizations. And, of course, globalization is tearing down previous international market barriers. No wonder relentless change has become a fact of corporate life.
In spite of the importance and permanence of organizational change, most change initiatives fail to deliver the expected benefits. This failure occurs for a number of reasons. You might recognize one or more of these in your organization.
- absence of a change champion or one who is too junior in the organization
- poor executive sponsorship or senior management support
- poor project management skills
- hope rested on a one-dimensional solution
- political infighting and turf wars
- poorly defined organizational objectives
- change team diverted to other projects
Failed organizational change initiatives leave in their wake cynical and burned out employees, making the next change objective even more difficult to accomplish. It should come as no surprise that the fear of managing change and its impacts is a leading cause of anxiety in managers.
Understanding your organization and matching the initiative to your organization’s real needs (instead of adopting the latest fad) is the first step in making your change program successful. Beyond that, recognize that bringing about organizational change is fundamentally about changing people’s behavior in certain desired ways. Leadership skills, such as visioning, prioritizing, planning, providing feedback and rewarding success, are key factors in any successful change initiative.
SPM has the experts in the field of change management to support your internal change team. We have developed guiding principles, a structured approach founded on the ADKAR model and key experienced practitioners who can deliver the necessary components to overcome barriers to change.
We will assist with:
- Increasing skills for improved change
- Gathering and using insights and creating action
- Providing and integrating solid methods and practices
- Making the right investments by tackling complex and building change masters
We recognize that every strategic initiative will require change components and believe project and change management must walk together side by side. Let us help you unlock your change potential and deliver the benefits your organization craves.