What is change management?

In this article we discuss all aspects of change management; what it is and the benefits of using it.

Shark Finesse
August 6, 2024
Articles

Change management is a systematic approach designed to deal with the transformation or transition of a company’s goals, processes, or technologies. The main purpose of change management is to implement strategies for effecting change, controlling change, and helping individuals to adapt to change. It involves a series of strategic steps aimed at facilitating the transition process, ensuring that changes are implemented smoothly and with minimal disruption. These strategies include a structured procedure that involves shifting individuals, teams, and businesses from their current state to a future state they desire.

Change management involves managing change in a way that minimises disruption and ensures that the benefits of the change are implemented. It uses the processes, tools, and techniques to manage the human side of change and achieve business outcomes. This can include various activities such as communication, training, and support to enable people to understand, commit to, accept, and embrace changes in their current business environment.

The overall goal is to drive organisational success and outcomes, while enhancing project results, organisational effectiveness, and personal transitions.

Benefits of change management:

Change management can benefit business in several ways. Firstly, it helps in maintaining productivity during times of change by minimising disruptions and ensuring that operations continue smoothly. Additionally, change management reduces resistance to change by addressing concerns, involving employees, and fostering a supportive environment, leading to a more seamless transition. Moreover, effective change management drives successful outcomes by ensuring that changes are implemented efficiently, goals are achieved, and the business remains competitive.

The benefits of change management are more than just managing change, they contribute to the overall success of organisations in a constantly changing business world.

Why is change management important?

Change management is important in today's business world. Employees are at the heart of any organisation, and their acceptance and commitment to any change implemented is crucial for its success. One important aspect of change management is communication. Ensuring you have clear, consistent, and transparent communication is essential throughout the change process to keep employees informed, address concerns, and build trust.

Change management also helps to minimise resistance. Change often triggers fear, uncertainty, and resistance among employees, but by proactively addressing concerns, involving employees in the change process, and providing the necessary support and resources, businesses can reduce resistance and increase acceptance of change.

Another critical role of change management is in maintaining productivity. Change, if not managed effectively, can disrupt workflow, cause confusion, and lead to decreased productivity. By carefully planning and executing change management strategies, organisations can minimise disruptions, ensure operations continue as usual, and help employees navigate through the transition smoothly.

Lastly, change management is essential for driving successful outcomes. Whether it's implementing new technologies, or launching new products, change management ensures that changes are implemented effectively and goals are achieved.

What we do

At Shark Finesse we have developed an enterprise-grade cloud application to help businesses standardise and simplify their value engagements across the entire customer journey.

Shark, a business value engagement platform used by 1000’s of customer-facing teams globally (e.g. pre-sales, sales, value teams, and customer success) is easy to use, intuitive and usable directly with the customer to negotiate the likely business returns from investing in a solution.

By adopting the Shark approach you will fundamentally transform conversations with new and existing customers, close more business, and differentiate from the competition.