Unearthing Exponential Productivity and Profitability through Organizational Change
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Unearthing Exponential Productivity & Profitability through Organizational Change
Canal with modern outlook and lantern depicting innovative change similar to Cognitute change management consulting framework
April 10, 2023
Organizational Change

Businesses must activate high-performing engines to revitalize their markets and captivate their stakeholders' interests. Making and managing consequential changes to operating models can take organizations to higher dimensions of sustained value.

Change Management for Profitability

Change, as we know, is the only constant. Sudden and gradual changes in the economic environment often affect businesses in multiple spheres and compel them to adapt to or maneuver around these volatilities. Organizations could indulge in more profitable outcomes when they manage change through coordination and transit from one state to another, such as reinventing business models and strategies. By proactively embracing change, organizations often achieve unparalleled levels of efficiency and profitability. Therefore, it is imperative for organizations to drive a robust culture across the board and devise frameworks to manage the change.

It begins with inventive self-assessment that allows organizations to identify gaps, understands potential strategic changes required, devises methodologies, and chalk out a roadmap. The current global climate insists on dynamic structures and models that activate key levers at the right time through well-designed strategies allowing forward-thinking solutions to new-age problems.

Whether ensuring that leaders are adequately equipped and motivated; people transformation; or adopting new technology, organizations should have the requisite procedures to manage change effectively. Organizations can also change fundamental business practices to embrace newer operating models-one that nestles an appropriate proportion of digital and human-centric operations, reducing costs, improving stakeholder returns, and amplifying resilience during turbulent times, driving revenue and overall productivity of the portfolio.


Butterfly exiting its cocoon, symbolizing change management similar to Cognitute change management consulting practuce
A butterfly exiting out of its cocoon indicates change management in its truest form.

Change Management and Organization Culture

A powerful approach for organizations to adapt and thrive is to bring subtle but important tweaks to the culture with a clear vision to embrace change and mitigate common barriers. Organizations' purpose, vision, and mission have to be clearly defined, and stakeholders' actions be aligned with them to create a sense of shared purpose. Such guidance is essential for enhanced stakeholder participation in every business initiative and a commitment to the business direction. Accountability and ownership develop a sense of purpose within stakeholders, encouraging greater buy-in and engagement of the empowered stakeholders.

Two men portrayed in an ancient act depicts organizational culture followed within the kingdom-Cognitute organizational culture consulting
Ancient mythology depicting organizational culture followed within the kingdom.

Businesses should prioritize transparency and trust for a healthy relationship with all their stakeholders. This reduces resistance and brings an open-minded approach to reasonable acceptance of essential changes. Any lacunae in the leader's efficiency can be filled through training and support to maximize success and minimize disruption. Sincere, accountable, and excellence-based approaches to goal-setting and goal-meeting should be rewarded with adequate recognition. 

Businesses should prioritize transparency and trust with all their stakeholders; this reduces resistance and brings a forward-minded approach to reasonably accepting essential changes. Upskillment and mentorship can fill any lacunae in the leader's efficiency to maximize success and minimize resistance. Finally, a sincere, accountable, and result-based approach to goal-setting and achievement should be rewarded with adequate recognition.

Excavating growth and profits, reenergizing the workforce, moving markets, and captivating customers require core organizational levers to tether seamlessly, revitalizing and creating a profound impact. Organizational change for efficiency allows simplified decision-making, redirected focus and time management, and improved engagement in all aspects of the workforce.

Change Management and Effective Communication 

Many organizations struggle to implement practical changes, but effective communication can alter the landscape quickly. When expectations are set, reasons are listed, and information is honest and prompt decimation, businesses can surpass the long road to change management with no resistance and minimal pitfalls.

Effective communication entails activating multiple communication channels for information, addressing concerns, and collecting feedback – all of which can help build a compelling rationale and heighten the benefits of the planning and implementation. Setting timelines, key roles, and responsibilities and gauging progress through efficient measuring processes impact how change seeps into the business ecosystems for greater profitability. Parallelly, a sharp eye is needed to address genuine concerns and feedback for businesses to make adjustments and demonstrate value willingly. Such responsiveness sets the tone with reduced resistance and positive feedback.

Choosing the proper communication channels is crucial to channeling all relevant messages to the right stakeholders. There can be multiple channels for effective communication. It is also prudent to embrace newer processes and technologies to build pivotal bridges of two-way communication to garner the right support.

Understanding the needs of stakeholders, communicating the benefits of change across the board, and involving them in the change process can create more engagement and empowerment and build the right kind of support for change. Functions can do well to value stakeholder input and show commitment to the change process; as such, understanding perspectives are influential in setting and meeting expectations.


Change and Stakeholder Management

Leadership roles change as organizations grow, and at such times, effective change management can help organizations determine how those changes manifest within their team members' roles. Success is only guaranteed if an effective change is visible across all stakeholder behavior. Whether a project or strategy, system, organizational structure, or any combination of these, all core roles must be a part of the overall ecosystem if a change is to be managed successfully.

Change management processes coordinate and promote the transition from one state to another, such as implementing a new business model or strategy. By proactively employing approaches for change management, businesses often achieve unparalleled levels of efficiency and profitability.


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Experimentation and Learning through data-driven decisions

When conducting change management, an organization needs to take a holistic view of its processes, products, and areas that need improvement. It is prudent to start small and scale up when the right momentum hits the wheels. Encouraging manageable experiments to minimize risk is a good start for Businesses to embrace a culture of innovative thinking and purposeful implementation of newer ideas. Right resources need to be provided to stakeholders to carry this out effectively. This is usually followed by measuring and analyzing results to get valuable insights and identify effective pathways for future plans.

Data driven decisions work best in this case. Utilizing data analytics to identify areas of improvement can help organizations make targeted improvements and focus resources on activities that will drive maximum value for the business. Organizations can unearth exponential productivity and profitability by implementing strategies that focus on improving efficiency, such as consolidating information and streamlining processes. 

When organizations interpret the right indicators from the extracted information, it leads to meaningful iterations of processes and functions that can withstand market forces and adapt to changing circumstances. Consequently, productivity and profits will skyrocket, and stakeholder returns will be revitalized, making this a win-win for everyone involved in the organizational change management process.

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 Pre-emptive business transformation can be the key to resilience during uncertain times.

Importance of Change Management Policy and Methodology


A change management policy is crucial for any business that deals with change regularly or plans to modify part or all of its procedures. It helps workers remain accountable. When implementing organizational changes, it is vital to understand the choices that led to these adjustments. Adopting a change management policy is essential for ensuring that each department and leader knows their responsibility in protecting corporate, customer, and business data.

According to the American Psychological Association, fifty-five percent of people who experience organizational changes feel chronic stress. The percentage of stakeholders reporting chronic stress was much lower (22.2%) in workplaces where organizations actively sought no structure change. Data from the report showed that a third of workers (29%) were cynical of organizational changes and believed the management had a hidden agenda, as the motives and intentions differed from the stated objectives and instructions. Many workers share this skepticism about the results of organizational reforms, as 31% of workers noted dishonesty in communicating the real reasons for the changes and how the stakeholders fit into the grand scheme of things.

With a documented change management policy, the stress levels of leaders reduce as they have a guiding document. Uncertainties surrounding organizational structures and job descriptions would also remain in check, as stakeholders will have a clear idea of the future.

Organizations must concentrate on creating a psychologically healthy workplace where workers are actively engaged in the future planning process. When change management healthcare is considered an essential driver of the change management process, the organization fosters trust and stakeholder engagement and activates a high-performing organization.

In addition, It is crucial to continuously monitor the progress of these changes and adjust them accordingly to ensure that they can unearth exponential productivity profitability and captivate stakeholders and markets.

Pitfalls to Avoid During Change Management

Change management process differs based on the industry, the organization's size, and the business's ambitious transitional objectives. However, outlining an organization's vision and drafting a plan of action shows readiness in assessment and risk analysis methods.

Lack of a clear vision can lead to a lack of direction for an organization, leading to the implementation of wrong strategies and less growth. Signs of a business needing a long-term vision are evident in the chronic indecision amongst the top management personnel, a lack of direction amongst middle managers, and bewilderment amongst the stakeholders. In essence, the repercussions of a lack of vision in an organizational management process are severe.

Poor communication can also change the process, which is as essential as implementing changes. For example, a lack of proper communication may lead to conflict, stakeholder dissatisfaction, increased attrition, and resistance, and decreased work productivity. On the other hand, clear communication helps the change process run smoothly, enables transparency from the start of the process, and provides the support needed to unearth exponential productivity and profitability.

Underestimating the scope of the change and needing more resources to carry out planned changes can mean a business facing unforeseen costs, rethinking expansion strategies, and incorrectly estimating the change process. A buy-in from all levels of a business hierarchy is also essential for all efforts to be successful.


Authors

Chiamaka Ihekwoaba
Chiamaka Ihekwoaba
Content Strategy Consultant