Change Management, Culture and Innovation: how to make and manage transformations in your company

There is no ready-made recipe, but some steps can help organize your thoughts and take actions to manage change:

1. Why change? – The first step towards change is to understand why to change;
2. Planning the Change – Once the reason for the change is understood, it is time to make a decision and plan the change;
3. Implement the Actions for Change – The actions necessary for the desired change need to be implemented;
4. Make change a process – Change should be a process, not an event

So here we go:

Understanding why to change.

Why change? The immediate answer is because the world is changing and we need to change too. True! However, if the scale of the change is not fully understood and if the necessary steps for the transformation to happen are not prioritized, there is a risk of being left halfway.

To understand the real needs for change in a company, it is necessary to look beyond its borders and see what is happening around it. One of these events is technological advancement , and here the collection is vast: Artificial intelligence, big data, the internet of things, automation and robotization, in addition to the most basic issues, such as digitizing, systematizing and equipping the company with what already exists in the market.

Another factor driving change and one that demands the most attention is climate change, as nothing in the future will be viewed in the same way, and resources that we have comfortably today, such as water and energy, could be extremely scarce in the near future.

Just like technology and the environment, we still have major behavioral and social issues that are happening and changing the way we do business all over the world. Diversity, accessibility, speed, in short, there are many important reasons to change, but what is the priority? If you decide to change everything at once, you won't be able to do it, or the changes won't be profound, as the market demands today, or your company will be confused between today and tomorrow.

Therefore, take a deep look at your organization, the business environment in which it operates, its digital maturity and, from there, analyze which are the most sensitive points and understand the real needs for change and in what sequence they should happen.

Well, now that you know what needs to be changed, it's time to plan the change.

Change Planning – Once the reason for change is understood, it is time to make a decision and plan the change.

Changes can be disruptive or evolutionary, innovative or behavioral, and can involve the entire organization or just one business unit. However, whatever the motivation for the change and the type of transformation required, it must be implemented. And the guarantee of efficient implementation is good planning and change management.

All planning begins with a vision of the future, and in order to outline a strategy for implementing change, it is necessary to know the gap between the current situation and the desired one. We must not forget that we are dealing with “changes” and “transformations”, and not with ordinary planning, without profound changes. And this makes the task more complex and will also require reflection on the organization’s culture . Some companies are resistant to innovation and react to it like a healthy immune system reacts to a virus, not allowing it to advance in the body.

A traditional company that does not have a culture of innovation and change will need to adapt its workforce so that transformations can actually occur. It all seems obvious, but often the obvious is not taken into consideration.

Planning means defining the sequence of movements, and this is what must be done for your company to be successful in the transformation process.

However, as everyone knows, preparation is insufficient. You must carry out the strategy if you want things to happen. We are confronted with the obvious once more, but we are aware that this does not always occur.

Implementation of actions for change – the actions necessary for the desired change need to be actually carried out

A transformation only occurs if the entire workforce is involved. And there is only one way to engage everyone: communication!

Corporate communication is one of the best tools to be used in the implementation of any strategy. But when it comes to transformations, it becomes even more important. Understanding the scenario, understanding the reasons for the change, knowing the skills needed for the future, are essential knowledge for everyone to believe in the reasons for change and to actually be willing to change. The new generations work for a cause, and being prepared for the future is still a good cause for transformations in a company, even if they are difficult.

The best investment for a transformation process to happen is in the acquisition of knowledge and the development of skills; people are what make business happen. However, financial resources are also necessary, whether in the acquisition of technology, infrastructure or even another company, through mergers and acquisitions, including the possibility of acquiring startups. “Tell me what your budget is made up of and I will tell you who you are!” If there are no resources allocated to innovation, it will not happen.

But in a changing world, how many changes will need to be made? Countless, without a doubt. Therefore, the idea of ​​change must be present in the organization's day-to-day activities.

 Making change a process – Change should be a process, not an event

The more companies are aware that change is a process, the better they will be able to adapt to modernity and serve their customers in an innovative and effective way.

Change Management, so highly regarded in Strategic Planning , has never been so respected by managers and organizational leaders. The difference is that today it is part of the routine and must be observed in all essential business processes. The company's business model itself must be revisited periodically and evaluated from the perspective of innovation and its relevance.

The world is going through an exciting and fascinating phase, and we are experiencing intense transformations that can have a fantastic, favorable impact on our society and environment. It all depends on us, and I believe that companies have a fundamental role in this evolution: acting ethically, seriously, empathetically and with a lot of courage!