Managing Change in the New Year
Appeared in Dr. Ruth’s monthly column, “Workforce & Leadership Development,” in the Independent Funeral Directors of Florida’s weekly e-newsletter, Independent Weekly, Vol 6 Iss 49, on December 15, 2023. www.ifdf.org
Many people see the New Year as a chance to make personal and professional changes by setting ambitious New Year's resolutions. For instance, in December 2022, I made a list of goals related to work-life balance, self-care, and hobbies that I thought were realistic and achievable for 2023. As it turned out, some of them weren't.
Similarly, businesses may use the New Year as an opportunity to implement necessary changes or enhancements to their business models. However, a poorly planned and executed change process could result in resistance from both the leaders and the employees.
The ADKAR (Awareness-Decision-Knowledge-Ability-Reinforcement) change process
If you want to improve or transform your business model, you can use this method based on ADKAR. Here are the steps:
1. Be curious about any impending change in the funeral profession because curiosity creates opportunities for innovation and change that can benefit your business. Is there a need for the change within your business model?
2. Do you have the desire and the will to make this change? You decision will be based on your answer from Step #1? Identify other stakeholders, explain the need for change, and secure their buy-in. Together, develop a shared vision for change.
3. Determine what you are trying to change. Learn from other funeral establishments that have implemented this change. Create a plan around simple and clear goals and objectives and a timeline.
4. Do you have the resources, financial and human, to implement the change? If not, can you acquire the necessary resources, or do you need to scale back the plan to match your current resources?
5. Develop a plan to obtain the participation from others who are resisting the change. This plan may include reinforcing the message for change and addressing their hesitancy.
6. Evaluate the change, determine whether it was successful, and whether you realized a return on your investment (ROI).
7. Tweak your plan accordingly. If you did not realize a ROI but still have the desire and the will to pursue the change, then make the necessary tweaks, and continue until you have realized your vision for change.
Author's Bio:
Dr. Ruth earned her Ph.D. in industrial and organizational psychology from Keiser University in Fort Lauderdale. She is the founder of Bedell Consulting, LLC. She is also the Associate Director for Outreach of the IFDF.