As times evolve, the needs of the customers are also evolving. 

From globalisation to industry 4.0, and to the recent focus on sustainability, history is testament to the fact that only the companies that adapted to changing times have had a chance at surviving and thriving in the market. Every business must undergo changes in its internal operations to maintain its competitive advantage, and better cater to its clients. 

Apart from changing customer needs, the need for change in an organisation generally arises from crucial factors like an uncertain global economy and fluctuating socio-political scenarios. The advent of new technologies and the rapid spread of new trends are also important reasons.  

Although a reform in a traditional system may seem like a disruption initially, surveys have indicated that shifts in organisations are desirable as they tend to boost productivity and service performance in the long run. 

However, the implementation of change in an organisation is often met with a resistance from the workforce. Some common reasons for the same are: 

1. A lack of confidence in why the change has been proposed. 
2. The fear of failure to perform adequately within the new business processes. 
3. Poor communication about how the proposed change will be implemented and its impact on the employees, the departments and the organization as a whole.

So, how can you effectively implement changes in your workplace? 

While transitioning from old methods to more contemporary ways of operation within an organisation, it is always important to lead with empathy. Following are a few best practices to keep in mind while implementing changes in your organisation: 

1. Implement the change in phases: More often than not, a change in an organization deals with incorporating a new technology, a different management style or the introduction of new departments. Introduce change gradually and ensure your employees have had the time and understanding to adapt to the new system.
   
   
2. Setting realistic expectations with the workforce: People require time to adapt to changes successfully. It is hence important to set realistic expectations for your employees who may take time adjusting to the new system. You may want to rethink tight deadlines for tasks with more complex processes or increased workload. This will make sure employees feel welcomed and confident in their ability to integrate into the new processes. 
   
   
3. Nominate a change representative: It is recommended you nominate a change leader to represent every team who can inspire and assist team members to part with legacy practices and enthusiastically embrace the change in systems and processes.
   
   

4. Providing assistance during the transition period: It is crucial to arm your teams with all the knowledge they need to thrive within the new working environment that you have set across to construct. It is thus important to provide them with assistance in terms of trainings, programs, reference materials, demonstrations and talks. It is also encouraged to be available to your workforce to answer their most basic questions about the new work practices.  

HR managers, directors and senior project managers need to be accessible to their teams during the process of change within the organisation. This will help to better guide their peers and subordinates, and the newly introduced processes will be easily understood and embraced by one and all. 

Changes in organizations are brought about to boost productivity and profitability. Empathy-driven leadership aids the same by increasing motivation and enthusiasm among employees, guaranteeing productivity and paving the way for growth of the organization. 

Exalogic is a leading consulting firm that implements, enhances, supports and maintains SAP on cloud and on-premise solutions for global companies across industries. With a rich experience of over a decade, we have played a crucial role in providing successful change management solutions to a variety of customers. We work towards identifying your history of operation and help you envision a future that is in compliance with the vision of your company, as well as the satisfaction of every employee. 

We aim at providing you with everything you need to put together – in-depth demonstrations, talks and presentations to better convince your organization towards embracing the required change. We also help integrate quality training and mentorship programs that will help your teams evolve and adapt to the need of the hour. Get in touch with us today, and kickstart your journey towards effective change management.