What is Effective Change Management in Business?

In my experience as a Business Coach, I have been able to see that no other word is as scary as the word change. In your personal life, not being ready for change means you won’t be able to lose weight, for instance, or solve your marital problems. In business, the fear of change means wasting money, missing opportunities, and even losing your company.

In the world of business, change comes in different shapes and forms, but it permeates every situation we are faced with. Whether it’s firing or hiring someone, selling your business, choosing a new marketing strategy, you will be asked to embrace and master the ability to take chances and move forward with a vision. That’s what it takes if you choose to ride the waves of change and not succumb to them.

So, if you are a professional or a business owner, how do you know it’s time for change? Aside from the obvious situation when things are going wrong, let me give you 3 not-so-obvious signs that change is necessary:
And who can see these signs? Sometimes it can’t be you. It has to be someone close to you, a loved one, a loyal business partner, or a Business Coach, because change is always a challenge, and your system – your mind, your body and your spirit – will do anything to keep you away from change. After all, change means letting go of your comfort zone and venturing into the Great Unknown, and no-one likes uncertainty. The fear of change is so rooted and so deep that it makes people stay in unimaginably difficult and painful situations, against all logical principles. Have you ever wondered why?

• You are successful but not fulfilled. Your company is going well, you have a nice car and a nice house, but when you wake up in the morning, the mere idea of going to work puts you in a horrible mood.
• Everything is still. When things have not changed in too long, you are not moving backwards but not moving forward either, that’s a red flag. Change before sudden change happens – and it will – and finds you unprepared.
• You only think about money. Is money all your company is about? Where is your vision? Where is your enthusiasm? Your projects for the future? Apathy, lack of drive and complacency are signs it is definitely time for change if you want your business to survive.

I have seen business owners refuse to update their advertising strategies, for instance – because this is what I have always done and it has always worked – and lose their business.This refusal to even take change into consideration is exactly what happened to taxi companies before the advent of Uber, or to Blockbusters. When the founder of Netflix flew to Dallas to propose a partnership with Blockbusters back in 2000, he was laughed at. We all know what happened next.

Once we know change is necessary, though, what kind of skills can we develop if we want to manage change effectively? A couple of suggestions that will help you neutralize the fear of change:
So, where do you start? It’s simple. The first time I meet my clients, I ask them to make a list of their objectives. Find a quiet spot, take some time for yourself and do the same. Write honestly and without thinking too much. The work I usually do starts from there, but I can assure you that taking the first step on you own and seeing your objectives in black and white – I want to expand my business, I want to be more focused, I want to be better at time management – is a very powerful and enlightening moment, which will give you a sense of direction and a renewed awareness. Embracing change means creating your future…start now!

• Accept that change is life. Everything around us is in constant movement: nature, wind, water, our planet, and thinking you can hold everything still is simply delusional. After all, the opposite of change is uniformity and sameness: is this what you want for your business?
• Use lateral thinking. You don’t get to set the rules for what happens. The world moves, whether you like it or not, so turn the same old theories upside down and move away from the predictable. What if losing that client is the best thing that ever happened to you? What if not getting that job is a blessing in disguise? Don’t stress over things you thought were going to happen. Maybe the fact that they didn’t happen was the great gift of all.
• Don’t hold on to your past. Of course you are proud of what you have accomplished so far, and you should be. But if you dwell too much on your past, the risk of not seeing present opportunities – and dangers – is very high. Don’t take yourself too seriously and remember that there is always something to learn, at any age and at every level. And that is excellent news.

Eleonora is a Business and Team Development Trainer, with experience in the corporate world and qualifications in the field of Education and Training. She helps business owners and professionals get rid of self-doubt and increase energy, focus and motivation. Learn more about her business here & make sure to follow her on Instagram.

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