How fast can you and your organisation change?

Tuesday, 27th May 2014

Categories: Analysis

It’s often heard and read that the world is changing at an increasing speed. That technology and the application of new science is moving everything along at a breath-taking pace. Is it all just anecdotal or is it really happening?

This might not be the right question. The better question is how able is your organisation able to adapt to change – whatever speed it happens. The reality is that when you analyse any situation that includes employees and then add established processes into the equation just expecting change to happen because of an external improvement in performance is foolish.

What you need to look for are:

• Points of resistance – usually 2^nd rate managers with vested interest in the status quo
• Natural resistance to change –sometimes very rational and well thought out and can be dealt with if change is based on participation rather than imposition
• People are people – if you forget that people are not machines then you are in for a rough ride
• Are you sure of your facts – if you are implementing change because of what you have read or heard then take the time to check. Being ahead of the curve is all well and good, but sometimes being just behind is better and can make any change you need implement easy to justify and less painful
• How good are you anyway – are you sure you have all the foundations in place to allow change to take place. When was the last time you assessed the confidence of your organisation, when was the last time you completed appraisals, how good are your terms and conditions when compared with the market you operate in. All these “hygiene” factors need to be in place before you can seriously consider making any significant changes.

So how fast do you think you and your organisation can really change?

Author: Gamze Bilgili