KBB - September 2015 - 12

BETTER BUSINESS

How to Survive and
Succeed In Changing Times
From C-Suite to entry level, few phrases in business stir such emotional,
visceral reactions as "change management." This is because of its association with experiences we all face multiple times in our careers: new
jobs, new leadership or ownership, mergers and acquisitions, new process, new staffing, new structure.
You can find more than 1,000 books on the topic on Amazon.com
alone. Why is it that when we're tasked to manage the inevitable, trusted
resources like Harvard Business Review and Forbes tell us 60 to 70 percent
of organizational change projects are destined to fail?
The answer lies in the difference between change management (tools
and processes implemented to maintain control and stay on budget)
and change leadership (the driving forces, visions and processes that
fuel positive transformation). While some may be inclined to use these
terms interchangeably, they're quite different.
The good news is that the skills needed to successfully empower,
mobilize and maintain change can be developed. The following are
some change leadership tips cultivated from NKBA University's "Adapt
and Innovate" courses - all of which will help you not only maintain a
competitive edge but also work more collaboratively and efficiently.

Recognize How Change Impacts Your Organization - Every Day
Most managers and leaders think change leadership is only activated in the face of major transformation, when in reality there are
opportunities to use it on a weekly - if not a daily - basis. Perhaps
you have identified process areas that need to be streamlined, such as
how you accept client payments, but have been hesitant to implement
changes because you're afraid of potential business disruptions. Embracing change when it takes the form of mobile payment systems or
small business bookkeeping software can be daunting. Those who are
weathering the ripple effects of changes they made in recent months
know how disruption can negatively impact employee morale and productivity. It's important to keep the end goal in mind and recognize how
change will benefit your organization.

It Starts at the Top - It Starts with You
Whether you are a sole proprietor, a small business owner or a manager of a department of employees, successful change leadership is
championed by the leader of the organization. After you've identified
what needs to change in your company, it's important to look within. How
do you as an individual perceive and react to change? Does it scare
you, or are you more apt to quickly embrace it and seize its opportunities? Do you project a confident attitude or a nervous one? What effect
do you have on employees, vendors or clients during times of change?
Take a few moments to reflect on each of these questions. Getting honest
with yourself will help you determine what needs to first change with you,
which will help guide your approach to make the upcoming transition as
smooth as possible.

K+BB

Embrace Transparency and Open Communication
Before you announce the change you'll be implementing, do your
homework. How you position and communicate change is your first
make-or-break milestone in the process.Take the time to script your talking
points and how you will respond to the resistance you may face along the
way. Instead of focusing on the change itself, focus on the outcome and
benefits to help colleagues understand why the change will spur growth
in them and the organization.
People are creatures of habit. Employees' responses to your initial
conversations are often like those we associate with the grieving process:
Some may completely ignore or deny what they've heard, refusing to implement anything that disrupts their status quo. If they do recognize that
change is coming, they may express frustration and resistance. The best
thing to do during these discussions is to listen to their complaints. Allow
them to vent a bit and make them feel heard. They may have helpful
insights and anticipate impacts you hadn't thought about before. If they
see that you're receptive, they'll likely be more accepting throughout the
process and work with you as the change is rolled out.

Whether you are a sole proprietor, a small
business owner or a manager of a department
of employees, successful change leadership is
championed by the leader of the organization.
Commit to Development
Former retail goliath Blockbuster and photography giant Kodak know
firsthand the problems that happen when a business fails to recognize
market change and isn't prepared to react appropriately. Change requires an investment of both time and resources, and its impact can have
a direct correlation to your business' bottom line.
To ensure both you and your business are poised to navigate change
and its challenges, it's important to recognize the impact your own leadership skills have on your success. Industry resources, such as NKBA University, offers 25+ courses through its Adapt and Innovate Learning Path
to specifically help industry leaders learn how to lead their organizations
through changing times. Many of these courses are offered on demand
24/7, making it easy for professionals to learn when and where it best
works for them. Visit nkba.org/courses to learn more. n
- Nancy Barnes, the NKBA director of learning and development, has more
than 15 years of corporate instructional design experience and specializes
in the design, development and delivery of virtual classroom sessions.

September 2015 / www.kbbonline.com / The Official Sponsor of KBIS www.kbis.com

http://www.Amazon.com http://www.nkba.org/courses http://www.kbbonline.com http://www.kbis.com

KBB - September 2015

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of KBB - September 2015