Managing change in your business can feel like steering a ship through stormy seas. But it doesn’t have to sink the whole operation. Whether you’re tweaking a few systems or doing a major overhaul, the key to getting through it smoothly is having your team on board.
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Navigating Business Change: An 8-Step Guide to Success
A study by Kotter International found that over 70% of change projects flop. The main reason? Staff aren’t engaged. Let’s fix that.
Here’s a practical breakdown of Kotter’s 8-Step Plan for managing change in your business.
1. Get your team involved early
Change can be scary if it’s sprung on people. Start by talking openly about what’s happening and why. Show your team the benefits and what could happen if nothing changes. You want your people thinking, “Yep, this makes sense.”
2. Build a change crew
Don’t go it alone. Find people from different parts of the business who believe in the change. These folks will help drive things forward and keep the energy up.
3. Create a clear vision
Make your plan easy to understand. A short, simple sentence works best, like “We want to make things quicker and easier for our customers.” Then, map out how to get there.
4. Keep talking about it
Make the change part of everyday conversations, training, and meetings. Be real about the challenges, but stay positive. Show your team you’re in it with them.
5. Clear the roadblocks
If something’s in the way—whether it’s old systems, confused roles or low morale—sort it out quickly. Reward the people who are helping push things forward.
6. Celebrate small wins
Don’t wait until the end to cheer. Hit small goals along the way and recognise the people who helped make it happen. It keeps momentum up.
7. Keep building
After every win, look at what worked and what didn’t. Use that knowledge to keep improving. Bring in fresh ideas and keep growing.
8. Make it stick
Real change becomes part of how you do things. Talk about it often. Include it in staff training and recognise those who’ve helped along the way.
Change doesn’t have to be a headache. If you’re managing change in your business and want help with systems, payroll or getting your finances sorted, we’re here to support small business owners across Logan. Let’s make change work for you.
