The Key Steps of Managing Organisational Change - Essay Example

Executive Summary Organizational changes hold an important aspect for every business and it is imperative that every aspect of change management is looked into so that the performance of the organization improves. Change management is an integral part of every business process. Wilder’s Department Store needs to look into the competition level and make the required changes so that they are able to ensure a smooth recruitment process which enables the organization to deliver better results. The report presents the manner which highlights the importance of change management for Wilder’s Department Store by stating that change management helps an organization to improve the performance of the business. This makes it important that the organization look towards specialist who has the requisite knowledge thereby making the process of change management easy. It also ensures that the different aspect of change management is looked into and the business is able to identify the areas that will help to improve the performance in the future. Wilder’s Department Store will faces obstacle while implementing changes from employees, management and others but being able to highlight the effectiveness of the process ensures that the change management is accepted in the organization. Wilder’s Department Store need to weigh the importance of change management and need to consider different factors before choosing the process of change management so that the overall performance gets enhanced. Contents Introduction 3 Objectives of the report 3 Change management in Merino Textiles 4 Problems faced by Merino Textiles 4 Causes of the Problem 5 Reasons for strategic change 6 Way to facilitate change in Merino Textiles 8 Strategy to ensure effective change management in Merino Textiles 10 Time Frame 11 Conclusion 11 References 12 Introduction Organizational change is an integral part of every business process. Wilder’s Department Store needs to keep abreast with the changes which are seen in the case where the business has to encounter these changes to get new contract. It has been identified that employees on a stand alone basis are willing to change if it helps to enhance their carrier but when organization try to use the same method to bring about a change in the organizational working it faces criticism from different departments thereby making it difficult to implement the process of change management (Weiner, 2009). Wilder’s Department Store has been facing the problem of efficient employees which has resulted in other organization overtaking the company. Wilder’s Department Store needs to look towards ensuring that a mechanism is developed which helps them to improve the management of bicycle, toys and sporting goods by ensuring proper timely delivery, proper update on stock and other features which will have an effect on the organization image. Objectives of the Report To identify the reason which makes Wilder’s Department Store look towards change management and the importance it holds for business To identify the problems faced by Wilder’s Department Store and the mechanism that will help them to come out of the situation To identify a cost benefit analysis by using different models which helps to understand change management better Change Management in Wilder’s Department Store Change management is an aspect of business where organization look towards changing the manner the business is conducted time and again (McNamara, 2008). Organizations look towards bringing about changes in the way the employees work, change in technology, change in process or other key variables which has a bearing on the performance of the organization. Bringing about changes in the way business is conducted helps to improve the efficiency and ensures that the resources are used in a better way. Organizations that look towards change management are able to provide more leverage to the employees and the customers so that the performance gets enhanced. Problems faced by Merino Textiles Wilder’s Department Store faces several problems which has affected their business performance and requires to develop a mechanism which will help them fight out those problems and will help to resurrect the business. Wilder’s Department Store faces some of the following problems Merino Textiles faces the problem of employees as they are over relied on the a single employee that has been entrusted with the job of assembling bicycles making it difficult to deliver the bicycles on time to the customer Increased rush of customer during the Christmas making it difficult for Wilder’s Department Store to deliver bicycle at the correct time thereby hampering the brand name Lack of adequate storage facility for Wilder’s Department Store making it difficult to diversify into other areas and making it difficult to ensure effective management Congestation both at the cashier desk and warehouse increasing the likelihood of the mistakes being committed and the organization loosing vital money and customers Causes of the problem Wilder’s Department Store is encountering problems in relation to the employees because they have a single employee and are reluctant to change and find the old model of business efficient. Wilder’s Department Store that is looking towards a process of change management has encountered different problems from employees, unions, government bodies, external agencies and others associated with the organization. Major problems are faced due to the employees. Some of the causes of the problem are Employees in Wilder’s Department Store are very few which is making it difficult to ensure that they are able to match the requirements of the consumer (Albert, 2010). This will require training both on and off the job which employees are not willing to do as it exerts extra pressure on the employees making it difficult for them to cope with it so that they are able to handle the pressure Wilder’s Department Store is facing. Employees at Wilder’s Department Store have to handle diffferent works of different departments whch has increased the pressure and is making difficult to assemble the bicycle as the same employee is entrusted with the job of assembling the bicycle (Kotelnikov, 2010). This requires that Wilder’s Department Store uses some new technology in assembling the bicycle so that the work gets done faster. This is because of the fact that understanding every aspect of the new technology takes time and employees are reluctant to change. Over burden of work both for the cashier and the warehouse has made it difficult to ensure that the mistakes committed are few and has increased the likelihood of errors being committed (Dargan, 2009). Organization needs to make the employees understand that the changes will help them in the future goals and they won’t be fired but shifted to some other job position which is suitable for them. Another barrier is the space to keep the stock. Wilder’s Department Store has limited space availabl which has made it difficult to ensure that they are able to store the bicycle and provide delivery to the customers. Wilder’s Department Store need to ensure that the barriers is reduced and having change specialist who is able to understand the problems and provide better direction and guidance will help the organization to achieve the changes they are looking for. Reason for Strategic Change Wilder’s Department Store is looking towards change as it helps to change the focus and provides the necessary impetus which will help the organization to be able to deliver better services and pursue its in objectives. Change helps the organization to achieve the following strategic objectives Firstly, it helps in setting the objectives and the path that will lead towards achieving it (Seel, 2006). This will help Wilder’s Department Store to focus on areas which are of prime importance and will shape up the working environment that facilitates achievement of goals. Secondly, it helps the diverse inputs and interactions between these inputs to develop thereby resulting in better decision making (Seel, 2006). This will thereby help to understand the goals better and will act as a guide. This will also motivate the employees and will help to work on areas which will help to improve the process and achieve the effectiveness of the change process. The above mentioned strategies are related to each other so brining a change will result in widespread changes and lead towards efficiency. This makes it important that Wilder’s Department Store looks towards a change is able to ensure that the change is “realistic, achievable and measurable” (Chapman, 2010). This will provide the required directions and help the organization to achieve the goals. Some of the reasons which attribute towards an organization change are Changing the strategy to match those of the competitors and to stay ahead of competition as old methods become obsolete (McNamara, 2008) The need of the hour to make changes in the recruitment by have more stringent conditions while recruiting the talent so that the correct workforce is recruited To bring changes in the training program which works towards the growth of the employees making it compulsory for the management to bring about a change in the way work is conducted (Handbook, 2010) Major changes in the structure of the organization making it important to change the working pattern thereby altering the manner responsibilities and authorities are shared (Seel, 2006) External conditions like government regulation, laws, enforcement agencies, economic condition, financial condition etc might force to bring certain changes in the execution of policies. (Seel, 2006) Thus, the above stated reasons along with the strategic objectives are some of the major forces that accounts for a structural changes in Wilder’s Department Store. Using these changes will ensure that the organization is able to perform better and look towards the betterment of the employees. Way to facilitate change in Wilder’s Department Store Planning process holds an important part of the change management process and having a time frame which will help to achieve the changes desired by the management will ensure effectiveness and achieving the goals in a better way. The planning process for a change should be something similar to the one shown below Firstly, Wilder’s Department Store should ensure urgency and make the employee understand that the changes will help them in the future and provide opportunities for growth (Kotler, 2010) Secondly, to convince the employees by demonstrating different examples and the manner it will shape their carrier. Wilder’s Department Store need to ensure that the mindset of the employees is positive and helps them to accomplish the objectives Thirdly, clearly defining the future goals (Kotler, 2010) through the process of change management so that employees are able to understand the process clearly Communication is an aspect that needs to be looked into and strategy drawn to ensure that the employees and others understand the process of change and are able to garner it towards the development of self and the organization (Kotler, 2010). This will motivate the workforce and provide the necessary direction to facilitate the change management process. The next step “is removing the obstacles”. (Kotler, 2010) Wilder’s Department Store need to take special care to ensure it as it could dent the confidence of the employees and make them reluctant to changes. Wilder’s Department Store need to ensure that all hurdles are dealt in a manner that builds confidence and helps in future development. Wilder’s Department Store should also look towards the training process to impart the required skills so that employees are able to handle the changes that have taken place. Organization based on the above will decide whether having an external change specialist will be beneficial. It will also concentrate on the cost benefit analysis and help to draw important findings related to the change specialist. Finally, Wilder’s Department Store need to monitor the entire process and make changes if required from time to time so that the effectiveness of the change management process improves. This helps to identify the following table that will help to ensure that Wilder’s Department Store is able to bring on the change required Steps Thngs to do to achieve change Ensure Urgency Discuss the problems and make the employees develop a sense of urgency Develop a coalition Ensure the employees are motivated and willing to change Create a vision Develop a clear idea as to what the business looks towards achieving Communicat the vision Make the employees aware about the goat Empower others Provide the required authority so that the objective is achieved Create short term wins Ensure that the long term objectives is achieved through short term goals Consolidate, Improve and make changes Make the required changes by checking the developments and taking necessary steps to ensure proper change Use new approaches Use new ways to ensure better changes Strategy to ensure effective change management in Merino Textiles Wilder’s Department Store can look towards using the following strategy to improve the change management that the organization requires Kotter’s 8 Step Change Model Wilder’s Department Store looking forwards towards a process of change management can look towards working on a similar model developed by Kotter. This model states that business looking towards a change management should look towards using the 8 steps so that the change management process is facilitated. They are creating urgency, form a coalition, create a vision for change, communicate the vision, remove obstacles, create short term wins, build on change and use the change in corporate culture. (Kotter, 2011) Using the steps will help to ensure that the different aspect of the change management process is looked into. Wilder’s Department Store need to ensure that by using the model they are able to convince employees (Kotler, 2010) regarding change. This will help to bring in necessary inputs and highlights different areas that need to be worked upon. This will thereby improve the effectiveness of the process. This will help in “setting the objective that needs to be achieved” (Kotler, 2010) through the process. This will help to bring all the work force together and will fall in line with the strategic objectives of the change program Wilder’s Department Store thus need to lay efforts and concentrate on important areas so that the company is able to ensure that the workforce is able to associate themselves with the organization which will help to improve the working condition of the company and help to improve relations. Time Frame Wilder’s Department Store needs to ensure that a time frame is stated so that the change can be achieved within the time. Wilder’s Department Store needs to check the performance every 3 months so that the changes required in the process is made. Along with it Wilder’s Department Store should ensure that the resources required for the shanges are available and need to ensur that the change is completed within a year so that they are able to perform better during the next Christmas. Conclusion Change management is thus an important aspect of business and with rapidly changing technology organization need to look towards changes to stay ahead of competition. Wilder’s Department Store needs to look towards using it in a manner that helps them to improve the recruitment process which thereby helps towards the development of all in the organization by providing better opportunities to grow. References Albert, F. 2010. Employee Resistance to Organizational Change. Winthrop University Chapman, A. 2010. Change Management. Leadership and management. The Ney York Times Company Dragan, 2009. Factors that causes resistance to organizational change. Word Press Handbook. 2010. Human Resource, Training, and Labor Relation Managers and Specialist. US Labor Bureau of Statistics Kotelnikov, V. 2010. Resistance to change. Ten 3 Business e-coach Kotter, 2011. Kotter’s 8 Step Change Model. Retrieved on September 9, 2011 from http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newPPM_82.htm Kotler, P. 2010 Kotler’s 8 step change model. Mind Tools McNamara, C. 2008. Organizational change and development Retrieved on September 9, 2011 from http://www.managementhelp.org/org_chng/org_chng.htm Mary, 2010. Change Management Description. Change Management Tutorial Series, Global Conference s Seel, 2006. The nature of Organizational Change. Retrieved on September 9, 2011 from richard@new-paradigm.co.uk Weiner, B. 2009. A theory of organizational readiness for change 23 (3). Retrieved on September 9, 2011 from http://www.implementationscience.com/content/4/1/67 Read More