So far this year there have been encouraging signs of brighter prospects for the UK economy, even though the pace of recovery slowed down somewhat last month in March 2014.
Just as change was required by companies of all shapes and sizes to manage the economic downturn, so too change is once again inevitable if you are keen to make the most of the UK economy’s positive change in fortune.
Change management
Excellent organisations understand that change management isn’t really a stop-start affair. High-performing businesses must be ever-ready for change – they must be flexible and dynamic, and able to evolve instantly in response to economic boom or bust. For change to be truly effective, however, it needs to be managed as opposed to ‘just happen’, but change – even well-managed change – can be uncomfortable at the best of times. Here are a few thoughts from us designed to dispel any change-induced discomfort…
Our top tips
• Changes in market conditions, customer requirements, government regulations, the environment, and other external factors mean that what matters most will change from time to time. We know from experience that identifying what matters most for your organisation is essential to its success. What matters most should, then, be regularly evaluated to ensure that your business stays focused on the most important things in response to current events and predicted trends.
• When managing change, don’t forget to leverage continuous improvement tools, techniques, and models to monitor efficiency savings, resolve everyday problems, and come up with new ways to delight your customers. Proven performance tools are essential to succeed at managing a constant state of adaptability if you want to generate significant returns on investment, efficiency savings, as well as productivity improvements.
• Employee engagement and customer satisfaction are particularly important if your business is in a constant state of flux. Businesses that motivate their employees and engage with their customers are more likely to see increased productivity and profitability than those that don’t. Satisfaction surveys are an effective tool for capturing the impact of change on your staff and your clients. Armed with this business intelligence, you’ll be better equipped to improve your organisation’s performance.
To find out more about the Investors in Excellence Standard or our business improvement programmes call the team on +44 (0)121 746 3150 or complete our simple online form.