Change for the better

Change is one of the key determinants of business success. Managers who thrive are usually those who can introduce and exploit changes that present an opportunity, while defending against changes that present a threat.

It’s a useful exercise to undertake a “change audit” in your business. This involves listing the changes you’re currently facing, those you can see on the horizon, and those you’d like to introduce yourself.

The key is to identify unavoidable changes (such as technological change, or the emergence of a new competitor) so you can decide how to manage them. And you also need to identify desirable changes (such as a new product launch, or an overhaul of your management structure) so that you can work out how to bring them about.

When it comes to implementing change across your business, there are a few pointers to bear in mind. First of all, make change an incremental process, so that it’s easier to manage and so that you have the chance to tweak things as you go if initial phases aren’t as smooth as you’d have hoped for.

And don’t forget the role of leadership in introducing change. You need to act as an advocate with anyone who’ll be affected by the changes you’re proposing—whether staff, customers or suppliers.

Read about reorganisations, restructures and other major changes