Can the Small Business Learn Something from Change Management?

In his book, “Leading Change,” John P. Kotter, outlines the Eight-Step Process of Creating Major Change.  In the steps he includes <ul> <li>Establishing a sense of urgency</li> <li>Creating the guiding coalition</li> <li>Developing a vision and strategy</li> <li>Communicating the change vision</li> <li>Empowering broad-based action</li> <li>Generating short-term wins</li> <li>Consolidating gains and producing more change</li> <li>Anchoring new approaches in the culture</li> </ul> As I read over this list, I found myself asking was “John really talking about a major change initiative or was he talking about starting and maintaining a small business?”  The more I thought about the more I found myself saying this is really a very good process for approaching the launch of a new enterprise.  Over the next couple of weeks, I will explore how this change process can be modified to support launching and maintain a small business.   Establishing a Sense of Urgency Any new venture starts with understanding the compelling reasons for undertaking the endeavor.  Is there a need?  Does the product or service serve a specific on niche?  Or do you feel driven to provide this produce or serve.  It is this sense of urgency which drives the entrepreneur to move pass the naysayers and take action to bring the product or serve to the market place.  Without this sense of urgency, failure is a very real possibility.  It is also important to understand that this sense of urgency must be focused.  Failure to focus could result in a great deal of expend energy and effort with very little or nothing to show for it! Creating the Guiding Coalition This one of the biggest challenges for the entrepreneur.  Most entrepreneur are focused, head-strong and driven.  They have an idea of what they want to do and how they want to do it. Often, they are so focused that they can see the forest for the trees.  It is critical to develop a team that can support and help bring the vision to maturity.  Remember the sum is greater than the parts. We are truly better together!   Developing a Vision and Strategy It starts with the business plan.  What are you doing and where are you going?  Very often the small business person starts down A Street and then because of a perceived advantage or opportunity we detour over to Z Avenue without taking the time to assess how the detour fits with our vision and strategy.  While we may find some success, the success tends to be fleeting or non-fulfilling and before long we are frustrated and asking ourselves why?  Therefore, it is imperative that we invest the appropriate amount of time, energy and effort into developing our vision and strategy.  Additionally, we need to keep the vision and strategy every before us to serve as the compass to ensure we are driving in the right direction.  Lastly, remember a vision and the strategies that support it are not cast in stone.  They can be changed if the situation warrants it. In our next installment, we will take a look at communicating the vision, empowering broad-based action and generating short-term wins.  Please feel free to share your thoughts, experiences and ideas.  I look forward to the journey! 2009-06-22T18:06:32Z

2009-06-25T17:53:13Z