Leading Change

We just finished an assignment working with a major utility company.  Their goal was to develop a one day training course that would help support their recent Business Improvement program efforts.  It was interesting to work with them at this stage of their journey, and develop a course for them that would be effective.

As usual, I learn something new every time we work with a client.  In this case, it was interesting to see where their culture was in terms of driving change, and implementing processes that were intended to transform the way that they do business.

I learned a couple of things that could be helpful to others when considering a culture shift in their organization:

• The journey has to be mapped out as a much larger exercise than developing a one day course.
• Developing the material to share within the organization that gives them tools and techniques is important.  However, it is important that a larger strategy and subsequent action plans accompany the expectations set in the course.  Make sure that the team knows what the leadership expects them to do in driving culture change when they leave the training class.
• Don't make the class too long in length.
• For this course with our client, we elected to split it up in two four-hour sessions that will be held one month apart.  The point is to teach them tools and techniques in the first session, then discuss what they did and how they learned during their experiences in the second session after a month has passed.  Sometimes sharing experiences is more powerful than any tools can be.
• Get the right people in the room for the first session so they can be the forerunners.
• People learn from leaders, and leaders lead by example.  Choose the first session participants carefully who will make the biggest impact and set the best example for the organization.
• Do a pilot session.
• Once you develop your training, conduct a pilot session to check your timing of the class delivery, presentation techniques, etc.  It will be well worth the time.

Call QuantumSix today to help you with any type of Change Management training.  We have materials ready to customize to meet your company's needs and culture.

Thanks and until next time.......Julie