It's not for nothing that my advice is called “People & Results”. Because in everything that companies do, they need the support of their employees in order to be economically successful. Now we are living in turbulent times and we are once again facing major changes as a result of digital transformation and artificial intelligence (AI).
Many existing and familiar processes in a company will have to be redefined. Employees are also feeling this pressure to change, which can lead to uncertainty. When talking about job cuts, many think of layoffs and are concerned about their jobs. Or they fear that they will not fit in with changed job descriptions, that they will not be able to withstand change and that they will be required, and much more.
Processes and therefore also changes in processes are “top priority”. In medium-sized companies, these are the owners or managing directors. They are usually in close contact with their employees. There is therefore much to be said for involving employees in the preparations and planning at an early stage instead of presenting them with a fait accompli after lengthy preparations. Especially since experience shows that employees have fine antennas when they sense that something is going on.
A good opportunity for discussion can be, for example, taking stock of the processes under test, i.e. collecting data about the company and its organization, the employee structure and the qualification of employees, and the inventory of machines in production. I often see that employees already have surprisingly clear and good ideas on how to improve processes.
External advice at management level can also be helpful. It provides support to overcome resistance to new processes, to involve employees and to explore the possibilities and limits of forms of new leadership. Clear and effective internal communication is crucial to improve collaboration and coordination within a company and, above all, to retain valuable personnel. Because even with optimized internal processes, it is important to meet the needs and expectations of customers in the best possible way in order to survive on the market.
