How outsourcing change management can make all the difference

Change management is a challenge that presents itself for most businesses, whether it’s around IT systems, production processes or even working hours and shift patterns. Inherently, most people are resistant to change, which is why engaging a specialist to assist can be invaluable.

As a Projects Partner at The Workspace Consultants, Tolu Owoade has seen a number of different approaches to change management and believes that there are some golden rules to adhere to.

Golden rules in change management

‘Every organisation is likely to develop a number of change initiatives during its lifetime,’ says Tolu. ‘While some will have processes in place to manage this change effectively, the majority will benefit from the services of a professional to provide guidance on how best to manage the change.

‘Engaging a professional can have the advantage of exploring better-tested approaches around effecting change rather than maintaining a status quo. Though most change initiatives may well be derived with good intentions, if they’re not properly planned, with the aim of fully understanding the organisation in which the change is being proposed and their overall openness to – and readiness for – change, there’s a good chance that it’ll fail.

‘At The Workspace Consultants we have a number of trained and experienced professionals who have change management experience. And because we’re Project Managers in the office design and fit out sector, most of our clients approach us when they’re considering a change initiative with regard to their workspace. Engaging us at the early stages is beneficial as we’re able to support our clients in managing, enabling and implementing this change.

‘One of the key risks associated with change is resistance, and with our wealth of knowledge, we can assist in identifying the reasons for that resistance and developing strategies for dealing with it. We provide continuous support for our clients throughout the change process, by ensuring that all stakeholders are identified from the outset so we can assess how severely the proposed change might impact them and their department.

‘Understanding how best to communicate with each of the stakeholders can also significantly minimise the impact of the change, and that’s an area we really focus on. Not only that, once the proposed change has been actioned, we’re available to provide guidance on how the client can sustain the change. We do this by ensuring that the appointed change agents within the organisation are well equipped with the skills and tools they need to drive the change forward and to avoid staff falling back into their old habits.’

Get in touch

The Workspace Consultants are specialists in change management for clients in Cambridge, London and Manchester. If you’re looking to implement change within your organisation, why not call us on 01223 656111 or complete our enquiry form to arrange an initial consultation?