Spring is the season of longer days, bird returning to nesting grounds, preparing gardens for planting, and of course, spring cleaning. Cleaning is the least exciting part of spring. Even so, everyone will agree on the importance of taking the time to clean, organize and spruce up your living space. The same can be said about your business.
What needs to change? What needs to stay the same? Let the change of seasons serve as a reminder to look closely at your business. While you shouldn’t change something just for the sake of change, it is good to look around and see what needs to be adjusted or even eliminated. Making changes doesn’t just effect you, it affects others, as well. How can you make necessary changes without too much disruption? Here are some tips:
Prepare
Don’t just make the change and expect everyone to go along with it peacefully. State what the change will be and why. Plan out the change. Pick a date when the change will occur. Announce it to all those it may affect. Make plans to cover any disruptions in service. While not everyone will agree with the change, stating the why and the when of the change, will help others in their preparations and will smooth over any bumps that may occur.
Make No Predictions
Yes, you want the change to be a smashing success. You expect it to be a success. Still, can you prove it will be a success? No. Therefore, don’t state that it will be. Leave some room for error and adjustment. Things can happen that delay or derail your change. It is best to state that you plan for the change to be successful, but if it isn’t, you have a contingency plan in place.
Remember the Big Picture
There’s a reason for the change, so keep it in mind and remind others of it as well. The transition from winter to spring isn’t always smooth, so there will be bumps. When things aren’t going smoothly, just remember that the change will eventually lead to a new and better reality.
Look on the Bright Side
It sounds cliché, but it there is a bright side to consider. While the change is taking place, don’t forgot to count your blessings in your business and your life. There is always something to be grateful for, so take the time to do so. In the meantime, remember birthdays, enjoy the nice weather, or even treat all your employees to lunch. It’s little things like these that can help make the transition less of a burden.
Change, like spring cleaning, can be a pain. Once it is done, however, everything looks and runs so much better. You’ll wonder why you didn’t do it sooner.
Source:
http://www.foxbusiness.com/features/2014/03/25/leading-through-change-seasons.html