Coping With Change

COPING WITH CHANGE

Coping with Change

Mergers, Reorganization, Redirection

I saw a cartoon recently by B. Y. Smaller. A man is sitting in front of a computer monitor looking at the screen, and a woman standing behind him says: " Do you realize we've been together through three versions of Windows?"

How the world has changed! The "information age" has affected our vocabulary, the way we live, and the way we react to one another. The invention of a minute microchip has created a "productivity miracle" according to some authorities and a "productivity mirage" according to others. Today you can buy a box for less than a $1000 that contains more computing power than the IBM mainframe that NASA used to land Apollo on the moon. According to John Cassidy in a recent article in The New Yorker, "the real issue today is what can I use all this memory and processor speed to accomplish, since I don't have a spacecraft to navigate?"

This is a very important question. To achieve one's goal, whether it is greater productivity and profit or to enhance the value of my company in my customer's eye, is an arsenal of information and tactics all I need? And, if it is true that my employees' can make or break my company by creating a toxic environment, how can I change their perception? Is additional training the answer to help shape a more positive and optimistic attitude? And besides, how can this wondrous information age of ours help a tired single working mother rushing home from work with laptop in hand to be met by screaming kids at the door.....Deep down she is frightened about the prospect of her company facing a complete reorganization and merger. She quickly exchanges her notebook computer for an apron and proceeds to clear away the breakfast dishes and starts cooking supper for her children and herself. And, just how functional will her laptop be when she sets herself to the task of helping her kids with their homework, before putting them to bed? The next morning she arrives at work carrying a slate on which are written the words: "Help me someone!!"

Ten to 15 years ago if you looked at what percentage of the business market was in turmoil, you would find 20%. Now it is more like 60%. It is actually harder and harder to find segments of the market today that aren't in turmoil. Being able to change fast in this sort of environment is crucial. The big question is: How do we intensify and accelerate the creative process without losing patience; patience with our customers and providers, as well as patience with our co-workers? According to recent research, there is a clock ticking in our brain that records time. It measures the time associated with a task and sets our expectations in subsequently performing similar tasks. That is why we become so impatient when it takes a couple of extra seconds to download data or to access our e-mail.

Computer Problems

Avoid Creating a Toxic Workplace

Remember, a toxic workplace is where people come to work so they can make enough money to leave. The Institute For Conflict Resolution has the expertise and the know how to help create a more productive and enjoyable environment. We will help you to impress upon your employees on every level that:

There are powerful ways to cope with an impending company reorganization without experiencing the terror of the unknown.

Your company really cares about you, your children and your concerns both inside and outside our walls and will continue to do so throughout a period of great change.

The more value you add to this company that goes beyond your job description or your normal routine, the more your company will succeed and you along with it.

You should be a team player, and try to think broadly about your company's future, recognizing the need to be more creative and more innovative in the process.

You must keep a customer's good will and loyalty in a period of rapid business moves by making outstanding customer service a top priority. You accomplish this by exceeding his expectations.

When a customer depends on you and you deliver, he depends on you even more.

When something goes wrong, the question to ask is: "What can I do to make it right? Customers, providers and co-workers always have something in their minds that would make it right. Find out what it is!