Category Archives: Business Tip in 60 Seconds

How to Efficiently Manage Change

Build upon a business need

Create urgency. Identify opportunities to be exploited and also potential threats .
Develop scenarios, showing what could happen in the future.
Request support and commitment from clients, outside stakeholders and industry people.

Build a productive working environment

Ensure team members have the skills and resources they need.
Provide a comfortable working environment.
Spend time outside of the office – team away days, dinners, lunches to create a deeper bond with each other.

Build a sense of mission and purpose

Build clear goals and expectations

Support your team member in setting SMART (specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, timely) goals.
Your team member must be involved in the process so that they take ownership. The goal should be negotiated, not dictated.
Ensure there is collaboration between you and your team members, should the goals or expectations change.

Be sure the meeting is positioned correctly

Circulate the purpose, the agenda and the desired outcomes of the meeting and the meeting inputs before the meeting.
Ensure you have the right attendees.
Ensure the attendees understand why they have been asked to attend.

Be honest and transparent

Share accurate and timely information even if it highlights your mistakes (it’s ok, you’re only human).
Tell the truth with tact by providing constructive feedback and leaving the recipient empowered to act.
Always communicate the contribution others have made so as to not take credit for other people’s work

Become a subject matter expert

Decide on an area that you are passionate about
Seek work experience in this area, either in the work place or in a voluntary capacity
Be up to date on the subject e.g. subscribe to journals; attend seminars; find a mentor in this area

Begin by clarifying the skills you need to develop

Ask yourself: “What is my next step on the career ladder?”
Request 360 degree feedback (from co-workers, clients etc) on strengths and room for improvement
Speak with your manager and HR to gain advice on how to proceed

Build specific, measurable, achievable & relevant goals

State what will be accomplished at the end – increased profits/sales, increase in employee/customer satisfaction – Specific!
Quantify the improvement you desire – increase by 20%, increase by 1,000 etc. – Measureable!
Look back at trends or define the goal in steps to ensure the goal is Attainable/Relevant!

Begin by understanding the facts