Change management is a structured approach to transitioning individuals, teams, and organizations from a current state to a desired future state. It involves the process, tools, and techniques to manage the people side of change to achieve the required business outcome.
Change management typically involves defining and implementing procedures and processes to deal with changes in an organization’s goals, technologies, processes, or initiatives in order to minimize negative impacts and maximize benefits.
Why Do Companies Utilize Change Management?
Here is a great scenario. A small business produces the greatest new idea, and it becomes the hottest toy in the country. This happened to the fidget spinner. In 2017 the fidget spinner because the worlds hottest stocking stuffer. Every child wanted these toys. Heck, even adults wanted one.
Most of the products that were produced to meet that need were done by small businesses all over the country according to and article by Inc Magazine. In the article they explained that “The product gained so much notoriety, his co-founder de Herrera explains, that it landed on an online feature in Forbes, where it was christened the “iPhone of desk toys.” According to the December 2016 article, people were paying as much as $400 on eBay.” The fidget spinner was on top, even making Amazon’s best-selling toy.
However, in 2024, the fidget spinner can be found in every dollar store and is no longer that hot commodity. What happened to the people who made these? If they did not utilize change management, they might not have made it as a business.
An Example of Positive Change Management Today
In 2024 we can look at the Stanley Company. For more than 100 years the Stanley brand was a staple of every construction worker’s lunch pail. The green textured thermos was a staple, and almost part of the uniform for American workers.
By 2023 the hottest ask for the holiday season was a Stanley tumbler. They were available in tons of colors and sizes. The company’s profits jumped considerably. Every teen girl in America wanted one of these coveted cups in every color. They certainly utilized change management when their productions skyrocketed when shifting their marketing from construction workers to teen girls.
Change management was required to react to this large demand for products. As the market becomes saturated with every single Stanley Quencher, the market will shift again. A good change management strategy will help the company shift with the times. We hope that they will be creating great products for another 100+ years.
How Can My Small Business Use Change Management to Improve Productivity?
Implementing change management practices within your small business can greatly improve productivity. First, by ensuring that employees are effectively engaged in their positions. As well as your team having proper training for their role. Evaluating opportunities through change management will help your team be well-prepared for company changes that impact on their roles.
Here Are Some Ways to Use Change Management for Productivity:
Your small business may not be Stanley today, but that does not mean that you will not be in that same position in the future. Your small business can react to change. Every small business can improve so many aspects of productivity with these tips on change management.
- Communicate Effectively: Keep employees informed about upcoming changes, the reasons behind them, and how they will be affected. Clear communication helps alleviate uncertainty and reduces resistance to change.
- Engage Stakeholders: Involve key stakeholders early in the change process to gather their input, address concerns, and secure their buy-in. Engaged stakeholders are more likely to support and champion the change.
- Provide Training and Support: Equip employees with the necessary skills and knowledge to adapt to new processes, technologies, or roles. Training programs can help mitigate productivity dips during transitions.
- Manage Resistance: Anticipate and address resistance to change by actively listening to concerns, addressing misconceptions, and involving resistant employees in the change process. Addressing resistance early can prevent productivity losses.
- Monitor Progress: Track the progress of change initiatives, identify obstacles or delays, and adjust as needed to keep the change on track. Regular monitoring ensures that productivity remains a priority throughout the transition.
How Can ClarityHR Help You with Change Management Initiatives?
By integrating change management practices into your company’s culture and processes, you can create a more adaptable and resilient organization. In addition, small businesses can foster productivity even during times of change.
Remember, change is not always a bad thing. Change management should not be a dirty word. Your small business can shift when you need to do so, and the team at ClarityHR is here to help. Contact us today to learn more.