Change Management - New Risks And Challenges

Change management in organizations is about to be faced by a new critical challenge. Over and above the fact that on average 18% of staff are actually actively working against the interests of the company, and another 61% don't really care (1), the current escalation in financial and social pressures are making change programs twice as dangerous to proceed with.

If you are senior management and have done your homework you will already know that 70% of organizational change or cultural change programs fail to meet the requirements of the project targets. Most just fail completely and nothing changes at all. Yet we still pursue change without understanding the basic core necessities of successful change.

Unless you can create congruency between your goals and the goals of the people and management within your organisation, you will be fighting an uphill battle. If you are a student of Sun Tzu's Art of War you will know that one never enters or even considers such a dangerous position. With the fear that is endemic in the current global economic meltdown and the extra pressures that this places on individuals, the added high internal stress levels for both organizations and its individuals are making any change program very difficult.

So here is what I suggest. Throw out your current plans and review two things.

First review if the change in the way the company operates is really necessary to survive or grow, or whether the project can be delayed for 12 months. If it is necessary, be prepared to spend the extra money to ensure the fight is on your terms.

Second, if you need to proceed don't employ any Change Manager or HR staff that are not fully aware of effective methods of stress management and cultural change within organizations. As part of this awareness you also need to ensure that your management team is up to the job as they will be the direct interface with all staff during the project roll out. I strongly suggest that part of the plan be to incorporate a specialist in social engineering with a strong background in stress and trauma counseling to interface with the Project and Change Managers.

Do these things and you will potentially save hundreds of thousands or millions of dollars, and maybe save your company from extinction.

I know it all sounds so dramatic, but in these times of economic and social unrest you are sailing on dangerous waters. Don't set sail with out the necessary safety equipment on board.

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(1) A recent (2006) Gallop Organisation survey showed that in any average company only 21% are actively "engaged" in their work and support the company. Another 61% are "not engaged" or just don't care about their job or the company. And 18% are actively "dis-engaged" and working against the interests of the company, whether they realize it or not. -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Source: http://ezinearticles.com/?Change-Management-New-Risks-And-Challenges&id=1090592
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