Click Together: Successful Change Management during Digital Transformation

Jon Rauschenberger, co-founder of Clarity Consulting, writes that, “The most challenging aspect of digital transformation isn’t the technology; it is effectively managing change and getting people to embrace it.” Whether business leaders intend to introduce ground-breaking technology into their company, or simply upgrade their current digital infrastructure, the question of whether the change will be a success or failure rests not on the technology; rather, it ultimately depends on the engagement levels of two groups of people: customers and employees. However, before planning on how to sell or market the changes to customers, businesses must first encourage employees to buy-in to the transformation.
Once the decision has been made to introduce digital transformation into a workplace, be it through the upskilling of current staff members or the automation of certain processes, plans must be put in place to stem the flow of misinformation or rumour throughout the company, as to not set off the fears of employees. Over time, workers who have long developed routines and who have collectively enjoyed success can develop a sense of inertia, and can become resistant to any form of change, especially that of a technological nature. To counter the possibility of employee angst or shareholder unease, it is vitally important for a company to quickly and confidently apply a series of change management strategies to make sure all those affected by the transformation are aware of not just the consequences, but also of the desired results.
Change management, at its very core, is a fine balancing act between allaying the worries of employees, and progressively moving towards the desired outcome. When done successfully, change management can spark enthusiasm within an office, galvanising employees to embrace new practices whilst still working towards a common purpose, or as Kevin O’Marah calls it, “a [company’s] North Star”.
To ensure change management runs smoothly during a period of digital transformation, business leaders should adhere to the following guidelines:
Often heralded as one of the key models of change management, John Kotter’s 8-Step Process for Leading Change can be applied to many professional scenarios. From the first step of creating a sense of urgency, to the generation of short-term wins and the final step of instituting the change, Kotter’s model has helped many companies achieve their aims and has stood the test of time.
As digital transformation is happening in almost every industry right now, with customers requesting a world filled with ‘The Internet of Things’, it is imperative for a company undergoing a period of digital transformation to always focus as much attention on their employees as on the end result. If a business can successfully introduce change into their company whilst also keeping their employees informed, involved and interested throughout the transformation by using Kotter’s or another management model, they are well on their way to retaining their ability to shape their own future.
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Johnny Byrnes, Professional Writer and Journalism Graduate
Having previously worked at both an up-and-coming start-up and an established international company, Johnny has over two and half years of experience working as a professional writer and editor. Johnny is keenly interested in the HR fields of digitisation, change management, and employment law.
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