Align Key Stakeholders
SPHERE
25
25
A L I G N K E Y S TA K E H O L D E R S
E N G A G E O R G A N I Z AT I O N
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
UNDERSTAND Understand the need for change.
ENLIST Enlist a core change team.
ENVISAGE Develop vision and strategy.
MOTIVATE Create a sense of urgency.
COMMUNICATE Communicate the vision.
ACT Take action.
CONSOLIDATE Consolidate gains.
Strong planning practice is critical to change management success. There are many change scenarios that call for many different responses. Perhaps increasing competition demands a new focus on retaining existing customers? Or maybe great business success is causing growing pains?
A strong planning process will help you: •
understand the need for change to build proactive rather than reactive plans • create plans that are supported by key organizational players
Beware of planning challenges Beware of the following challenges in planning for change.
Internal focus. Internal focus is akin to blindness. Are you continuously scanning the external environment (markets and competition)? Be vigilant in maintaining awareness of the external environment so the need for change can be readily identified. Success syndrome. Success breeds complacency. Are you complacent? Do you think (even quietly), “that couldn’t happen at our company”? Strive for an objective appreciation of business issues and double-check dangerous assumptions created by your history of success. Balanced participation. Shared ownership is powerful. Is planning a shared responsibility? A participative planning process is critical to change management success. Although change may be initiated by an individual, key stakeholders must also think through and understand need for change. In addition, stakeholders must share in the development of vision and strategy. A rigorous and usually time-consuming process of information sharing and dialogue is necessary to create alignment of the core group. Time and energy spent in tough meetings with the right people will produce stronger strategies and strong leadership throughout the organization. If these challenges are overcome, the change initiative will benefit from a strong vision and strategy backed by a strong, highly aligned core change team.
3
Made with FlippingBook - Online catalogs