Change management is critical for any organization that wants to stay competitive and keep up with the latest technological advancements. While tools and systems provide a platform to build a data-driven and technology-enabled workforce, it’s effective change management that ensures your employees take advantage of everything that those tools have to offer.
What is the #1 factor in change success?
Active and visible executive sponsorship. Selecting the right executive sponsor and ensuring that their responsibilities are clearly outlined is the key to effective change management.
What is an executive sponsor?
The executive sponsor’s involvement begins from the start of the project. They communicate goals, support impacted employees, and influence adoption and buy-in. Executive sponsors help to enable change and unlock challenges. Their active participation should be visible to the project team and employees throughout the change process.
What are the primary roles of an executive sponsor?
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To help build a coalition of sponsors.
Executive sponsors recruit peers with organizational control of other user groups to be involved in the change initiative. These “backup” sponsors step in for the executive sponsor when needed or when the change will impact many user groups within the organization.
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To be a positive and knowledgeable communicator.
Your employees will want to hear directly from their manager about how the change will impact them specifically. However, communications regarding the structure, plan, and the why behind the change will have the biggest impact if they come from someone high up and well respected in the organization.
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To be an active and enthusiastic participant.
Enthusiasm and attitudes trickle down. Executive sponsors build excitement and highlight the importance and impact of the change. They help to build a desire to adhere to the change across all levels of the organization.
Who is the ideal executive sponsor?
Having consistent and visible sponsorship sets your change initiative up for success. Identifying the right executive sponsor is critical. This should be someone with enough power and influence to enable change, drive actions, and command the respect and attention of impacted employees. While not a requirement, it’s ideal if the executive also has organizational control over groups impacted by the change.
How do you support an executive sponsor?
Set them up for success by highlighting the importance of their involvement. Most executive sponsors are excited and actively participate in the start of the project. However, they must be willing to stay involved consistently from start to finish. Be clear and upfront about the time and effort this position requires. Consider enlisting the help of experts in change management who can lend support to your executive sponsor and ensure that your technology enablement initiative creates the desired result.
It’s always a good time to get your business on the right track.
Want to know more about how we can help you plan, execute, and support changes in your organization? Contact us.
Red Sky has over 15 years of experience working with clients to strategize, manage, and streamline their businesses.
At Red Sky – We can help.