Alicja Quinn – NOC Manager, Ward Solutions
Changes are happening every day, improvements are the reason for change. External and internal factors force us to make changes, for example famous C****-19 (the thing we dare not speak about!), has changed the way a lot of companies do business, how a lot of teams work, how you interact with your clients, how shops, schools and hospitals operate on day to day basis.
It was hard for some of us parents to adjust to working remotely and home schooling but if you look at positives for me, and some of us
I’ve learned a few Irish words (in case my name didn’t give it away I’m a native Polish speaker!), my daughters vocabulary has increased, and when I ask if we can do something her replies are:
“I need to check my calendar”, “let’s compare calendars and let’s recheck when we are both free” or “I am busy! I am on the conference call”
very useful I have to say for a 5 years old 🙂
Her school takes the kids outside more often than before the pandemic struck and they are planning to introduce more outdoor classes which provides a lot of fresh air and alternative approach to conventional learning.
What about the commuters who spend less hours on public transport or less hours being stuck in traffic? Remote working does have its challenges but there are some great benefits also.
The new hybrid model of remote and on premises work will allow some of us to relocate or work from the areas in Ireland where companies would never traditionally look for talent. The location of the office HQ is not the key element anymore when looking for work.
C***-19 also catapulted digital transformation for businesses to the top of their agenda.
So let’s talk about why we’re so averse to change??
When change is inevitable why are some so resistant?
Evolution is fundamental to humans so why do we deny it sometimes?? We all know change won’t go away.
You know the saying, “If you can’t beat them join them!”
New year’s resolution: BECOME A CHANGE CHAMPION
Let’s look at what your options are if you wish to become one
- Embrace the change and be the change advocate
- Work with the change driver on the solution that will work better for you, your team, and your clients. What I mean by this is: If you don’t agree with the change but you know it needs to happen try to work with all stakeholders on the solution which is the easiest to live with or to work with.
- Carpe diem! Just try it! Seize the change and after a period of time you might see it was needed and worked, or after the change rollout if you still can’t cope with that change suggest future improvements and be the change driver thenJ .
You can’t talk about change without Continuous Service Improvement (CSI).
When you make changes you work on incremental improvements, you might end up back where you started…But what you learn on the way is priceless. It may seem like you are going backwards but you are definitely not. All the adjustments and lesson learned played a key and valid role in your progress and you will end up in a revitalised state.
A key thing to remember is that changes can bring a lot of negativity but we need to be able to highlight the positives and the new opportunities that can arise as the result of it.
Don’t forget ALWAYS to look at the bright side!
At Ward we work with our clients to deliver what they need based on their current situation. We support our clients through the changes and adjustments on their side. We advise and suggest changes if there is a requirement for it. We learn from our past changes and make improvements. Every department in Ward either Finance, Sales, Operations and the Customer service team always look at how best to supply the client with the tools and services they need.
For All Change Champions:
You will never be able to win all the audience when making changes but if you get people engage, let them suggest adjustments, work with them to make it easier to live the change, help them to see the positives rather than the negatives and then your battle is won.