Amidst the evolving workplace landscape, adaptability is paramount. Join us in exploring the intricacies of change management through our new, comprehensive video series. Delve into strategies to navigate organizational shifts effectively, ensuring success in today's dynamic business environment. Access the complete series on-demand and embark on your journey towards workplace transformation! This series is comprised of five video modules to help you manage change in your workplace.
Change Management in the Workplace
We have all experienced change in the last couple of years. I know work has changed for me. My office is in my home studio, most if not all my training deliveries are online – not much for onsite training anymore. During the year I also received my certification for developing leadership programs from the Association for Talent Development, (ATD). These combined to spark the idea to offer a Change Management belt for you, our KnowledgeWave members.
KnowledgeWave works with businesses across North America, that face change when moving to Microsoft 365. Change for those users can often be disruptive to their daily workflow and require them to learn new tools and processes. Additionally, the transition to Microsoft 365 can require changes to the way users access and share files, which can be difficult to adapt to, especially for less tech-savvy users. We help our clients’ users learn about the Microsoft 365 tools and how to leverage them in their daily workflow successfully. This series is not about software change but rather steps back to look at the impact of change from a non-tech perspective.
Benefits & Challenges of Change in the Workplace
Change can be difficult. For many people, change is scary. Change happens because the needs of those we serve change.
In the fast-paced landscape of modern business, change is not merely inevitable but essential for growth and adaptation. Embracing change brings multiple benefits for organizations, from increased efficiency and productivity to enhanced competitiveness in the market. For instance, implementing new technologies or processes can streamline operations, reduce costs, and ultimately drive bottom-line results. Additionally, embracing change will help to promote innovation and creativity, allowing teams to explore new ideas and solutions that may have never been explored in the past.
However, along with the promise of benefits, change also presents its fair share of challenges. Resistance from employees, fear of the unknown, and disruption to established workflows are common hurdles encountered during periods of change.
Managing change in a diverse workforce with varying levels of tech-savviness and adaptability often poses additional challenges for organizations. By acknowledging and addressing these challenges directly, organizations can navigate through changes more effectively to ensure a smoother transition for all stakeholders involved.
Here is what some of our current members have said about the series:
“I watched the Change Management series, and it is one of the best I have taken over the years. Thank you, going to share with my team.”
“Very detail-oriented and helpful. Thank you”
“Well-thought out and presented. Will use in my professional role.”
A Five-Part Video Series from KnowledgeWave
The series is made up of five different video modules that will help you begin to manage change in your workplace:
- Introduction to the Series
- Understanding Change
- Planning for Change
- Implementing Change
- Communicating the Change
KnowledgeWave members can instantly access the complete, on-demand video series at no additional cost here:
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Module 1: Introduction to the Series
This session will introduce you to the Change Management series of videos. Change management is how to make employee, policy, and service changes as needed as times and the needs of those we serve change.
In this module, we will discuss what change management is. We will provide examples and even discussion about what happened to organizations that refused change, e.g., Circuit City, Blockbuster, and Radio Shack.
“To change is difficult. Not to change is fatal.” – William Pollard
Topics covered include:
- What Change Management is and why your organization needs Change Management
- Four Phases of Change Management
- Best leadership style for change
- Become a “Change Agent”
- Recommended Reading List
Module 2: Understanding Change
To be able to promote change, you must understand the benefits of change yourself. You cannot expect others to understand what and why you are changing without understanding it yourself. Making change should be guided by at least one of three things:
- Will this make us money?
- Will this save us money?
- Will this solve a problem?
This video will help you understand the benefits and challenges of change in the workplace.
Topics covered include:
- The benefits of that change will be to the organization
- Define your key objectives
- What will happen with no change
- How the change will affect how people work
- What will people need to do to successfully achieve the change?
- Recommended Reading List
Module 3: Planning for Change
Change does not just happen. You must be able to communicate the reason for change as well as how everyone will be involved in the change process.
Effective change management begins with meticulous planning that lays the groundwork for success. Planning not only clarifies the objectives and scope of the change but also ensures alignment with your organization's overarching goals and strategic vision. A well-defined change management plan outlines key milestones, roles, and responsibilities, providing a roadmap for implementation and evaluation.
To gain buy-in from stakeholders, it's crucial to articulate the rationale behind the change and its anticipated benefits. Engaging stakeholders early in the planning process fosters a sense of ownership and commitment, making them more receptive to the proposed changes. Additionally, addressing potential resistance to change requires proactive communication and transparency, making sure that concerns are addressed and mitigated before they escalate into larger issues.
In the previous module, we introduced you to understanding your change. Once you know what, how, and who is involved in the change, it is time to plan. You cannot just start changing. You need a beginning, middle, and end – what does success look like?
Topics covered include:
- Review the 4 Phases of Change
- Gain sponsorship for your change plan
- Who to involve
- Getting Buy-in
- Impact: What successful change looks like
- Recommended Reading List
Module 4: How to Implement the Change
Implementing change is more than just executing a plan; it's about promoting a culture of collaboration that enables employees to embrace change. Effective change management involves ensuring that everyone understands the rationale behind the change, the desired outcomes, and their roles in the process. By establishing clear communication and providing ongoing support and training, organizations can enable their employees with the tools and resources needed to navigate through any change successfully.
Defining success criteria is another critical aspect of implementation, as it enables organizations to track progress and measure the impact of the change. Appointing change agents within the organization who champion the change and lead by example can help to drive momentum and enthusiasm among employees. By promoting a sense of ownership and accountability, organizations can create a conducive environment for change to thrive.
Now that you have a plan, it is time to focus on making the change. This module will help you pull together all your resources to make for a successful change.
"Change cannot be put on people. The best way to instill change is to do it with them. Create it with them." — Lisa Bodell
Topics covered include:
- Ensure everyone understands what needs to happen
- Agree on success criteria
- Define training needs
- Appoint change agents
- Find ways to change people’s habits to match the change – see training
- Recommended reading list
Module 5: Communicating the Change
Once you implement your change, you need to communicate the change, the process, and the effects to your entire organization.
Effective communication lies at the heart of successful change management. Communicating the rationale behind the change, its implications, and the expected outcomes is essential for gaining buy-in and ensuring trust among employees. Tailoring your communication plans to different audiences and utilizing multiple channels, such as town hall-style meetings, newsletters, and interactive workshops, can help to ensure that messages are delivered effectively and that they resonate with employees at all levels of your organization.
Soliciting feedback and actively listening to your employees' concerns will also help to promote a culture of open dialogue and collaboration. Doing so will help enable organizations to address issues proactively while adapting their approach as needed. By prioritizing transparent/inclusive communication, your organization can minimize uncertainty and resistance, leading to a much smoother transition.
No one can create change alone, nor were we meant to. Be sure everyone involved knows their role. Even if there are people not involved in the project, if they touch a product, service, other employees, or certainly clients, you need to communicate the change to everyone. This module will show you how.
“If you can’t explain it to a 6-year-old, then you do not understand it yourself.” – Albert Einstein
Topics covered include:
- Reviewing the Four Phases of Change Management
- Communicating the Change
- Five Points to Consider in Your Communications
- Recommended Reading List
Interested in Learning More?
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About KnowledgeWave
For the past 20 years, KnowledgeWave has been helping companies deploy and adopt the latest business software. We stay up to date with the most recent software features and are constantly adding additional training to our online learning library, the KnowledgeWave Learning Site.
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