Change Management and Improving Business Processes

What I Do

I analyze and improve business processes to provide the foundation for effective and reliable financial reporting, compliance and creation of value. This is typically a challenge for many smaller and mid-size companies. My approach is to link business processes together based on their relationship to strategy, vision and critical success factors. If you want training, check out my program on Effective Change Management. 

Benchmarking and Process Mapping

I conduct benchmarking analysis and establish baselines in order to create a starting point for measuring improvement. My approach is the application of techniques for process documentation and mapping processes. In addition, I utilize the questions of who, how, what, and when. Some additional steps involved in process improvement include process documentation using high level and detailed as-is maps. I then move to high level and detail to-be maps depicting the improved process and then have the owners of the process buy-in to the suggested improvements.

Tools for Change

I utilize the techniques of effective communication together with an 8 step process for improvement. Here are the 8 steps I apply in getting businesses to move forward on making change:

• Increase the Urgency
• Building the Guiding Team
• Get the Vision Right
• Communicate for Buy-In
• Empower Action
• Create Short-term Wins
• Don’t Let Up
• Make change stick
• Levels of Change

The 7 Levels of Change according to Rolf Smith in his book with that title. I expose organizations to focus on these seven levels because it helps them grasp the mission and understand what’s possible.

• Be Effective
• Be Efficient
• Start Improving
• Cut Out Unnecessary Things and Steps
• Copy Good Ideas
• Do Things Different
• Do the Impossible

Change is Tough

It is very difficult to get people to do the right thing and do it well. This result occurs because people tend to do what they know instead of looking for a new direction. My approach in coach and leading change is to first pick the low hanging fruit and then focus on 20% of the problem. If you can solve 20% of the issues, then you will likely have achieved 80% progress. Achieving 80% is far better than never achieving 100%.

Organizational Readiness

I address organizational readiness in every engagement to determine where the business is relative to their ability to make changes. Based on this assessment, I decide where and how to best implement change so it sticks and provides a permanent benefit. If your organization is having trouble making the necessary changes, give me a call. From this point I will be in a position to determine how I might help and at what level.