Are you making changes in your business? Many businesses are choosing to, or having to, make changes due to the Covid-19 pandemic to keep things moving and growing. There are three kinds of decisions that lead to business changes. The first is reactive decision making. A lot of us do this on a daily basis- it looks like putting out fires! The second kind of decision is proactive. This is when we deal with obstacles and prevent mistakes from spiraling out of control. Lastly, there’s strategic decision making. As a business coach, this is where we want to get to- knowing where you’re going over the next few years and why. Often, we have to get through the short-term decisions so that we have time to think strategically!

Implementing Changes

To implement a business change, whether you’re a team of one or many, you will want to think through the process so that there’s the highest chance of success. For everyone involved, create a sense of urgency. What are the potential scenarios if we don’t change? What could happen if we do change? What are the possibilities? Support your argument for change with data and start an open dialogue with everyone involved. Create a group of people that support the change and will be leading the charge! These are the leaders and stakeholders in your organization. Create your vision for what things will look after the change is implemented- create your story and tell the “why” behind the change to help reinforce the decision and process.

As far as your team or clients go, communicate, communicate, communicate! For those that are helping you implement the change, remove obstacles for them. Look for gaps in resources, people who are not onboard with the change, and make sure they are empowered to help the change process.

Reinforcing Change

To implement the process well, create small wins along the way and celebrate those successes. Achieve those goals and then set the next ones to continue to build on the change. Then make the change part of your business culture to reinforce it and make it stick. Don’t forget to explain the “why” to new employees.

Good luck and good planning with your next change!