Who Moved my Cheese?

Dealing with change effectively

X420 Discussion Session # 89

“The times they are a changin’….” Dealing with change is

a constant in human life a constant in corporate existence unavoidable

Learning how to sail with, Learning how to sail with, or tack against, the winds of change or tack against, the winds of change

is an essential success skillis an essential success skill

“You don’t need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows….”

In order to deal with change one needs to anticipate prepare and act, not react

One of the most immediately and personally effecting changes is that which impacts on our ability to earn a living.

There are things you can do to get ready for such shifts in fortune or circumstance.

Other than hide away and hope it does not happen, that is….

“The answer, my friend is, blowin’ in the wind….” Anticipate Change

Networking

Context

Join the planners

Building a network of friends, acquaintances and contacts gives you two major advantages in dealing with change:

• an early warning system and• a support group

Networking

Understanding the context

By keeping up with trends in • the economy, • business, • your field and • your organization

you develop a feel for the context in which events occur

Knowing what fits where helps you anticipate the scope and direction of change that might effect your livelihood and well-being.

Helping plan for change

As an active member of planning groups or steering committees within your organization and community you

• expand your networking scope and• benefit from the ideas and thoughts of others thinking about and planning for change

Merely anticipating change is insufficient… you need to be proactive.

Prepare for Change

Keep your resume – or resumes – updated.

Pursue continuing education.

Save and invest your money.

“It'll soon shake your windows, And rattle your wallsFor the times they are a-changin’.”

Act, don’t react

Only react to change and you will sink in the storm.

“…you better start swimmin‘, Or you'll sink like a stoneFor the times they are a-changin‘.”

Acting with Acting with forethought and forethought and

preparation preparation ensures that you will have ensures that you will have the most opportunities for the most opportunities for successfully dealing with successfully dealing with

change.change.

SINK OR SWIM, IT’S UP TO YOU

Managing change is a task both organizations and individuals face….

Let’s examine some of the methods and techniques professionals use to manage change in organizations.

Change Management

Change management is• a task• an area of professional practice• a body of knowledge

… and a useful “life skill”.

The Process of Change

The process can be viewed as• Unfreezing• Changing• Freezing

The Process of Change as Problem SolvingA more fruitful view since it promotes

PlanningPro-activity

Practice

Planning

To changeFor change

In case of change

Pro-activity

To changeFor change

In case of change

Practice

To changeFor change

In case of change

Successfully coping with change requires • Anticipating change• Preparing and Planning for change• Pro-actively dealing with change• Practicing change

EVALUATION QUESTIONSEVALUATION QUESTIONS

Use:a. Strongly agreeb. Agreec. Disagreed. Strongly disagreee. Don’t know

1. I found the presentation of material easy to understand.

2. This discussion session increased my knowledge on the subject presented.

3. I will be able to use some of the information from the discussion session in the future.

4. The presenter was well prepared for this discussion session.

5. This presentation should be repeated in future semesters.