How to Affect Change(Part I)

Change can be a menacing endeavor.  Within an organization, whatever troubles that were created from the evolution of your company (mismanagement, lack of insight, inability to adapt to the changing landscape), will increase with the suggestion of change.  Though there are many approaches it is important to keep a couple of things in mind.

There are two primary categories that are the heartbeat of an organizations 1) technical areas and 2) cultural areas.

Briefly, the technical aspect deals with a more direct or assertive approach to the systems that can affect change.  These systems include software and hardware updates, capital investments etc. that will improve the systems performance without regard to people(generally speaking).  If production is down it could be time to research and invest in new equipment.  A genuine and in depth relationship must exist between the departments responsible for areas, i.e. the technology department(technology) or plant/ equipment managers.  This decision allows members of the team to research performance needs, production enhancements, alignment between what the organizational goals are and any acquisitions being made.  More on that later.

The purpose of the investment in technology demonstrates a clear and intentional move towards change with an immediate impact.  Large capital and technology investments are simple in many ways because they produce very specific output and help to achieve targeted outcomes-- similar to how a scientist might think.  Their course is set only by the limitation of people's abilities, the design of the product based on need, and the amount of money you can afford to invest.  Perhaps the most important aspect of such an investment is the leaderships clarity of what the future goals of the organization are and how such an investment gets them closer to achieving that goal.

(parts 2,3 and 4 will be published over the next two weeks)

Regards,
Scotland

(Scotland is a management consultant specializing in strategic planning and organization development)