The last few years have forced companies to reevaluate every step of their processes, and 2022 promises to continue this need for adaptation. Physical stores have the challenge of creating new strategies to cope with a world increasingly used to online shopping. Even 2022’s e-commerce trends are going to demand change. We may see automated fulfillment and customer engagement changes that leave employees unsure of what’s next.
With so much pressure to move with a shifting tide, managers and owners must work together to make strategy implementation as smooth as possible. Let’s explore some tips for helping employees adjust to new business strategies so that your company can adapt with ease.
Give Explanations for Each New Strategy
Communication is always pivotal. Changes, especially those directly impacting your employees’ roles, are intimidating when announced without context. As you develop your business strategies, consider the perspective of various employees. You want to have honest, reasonable explanations for adjustments since these new procedures may potentially frustrate your employees.
After explaining each change, what inspired it, and your expectations for it, try to elaborate on how you think it’ll impact each role. Discussing this demonstrates that you’re thinking about each person, not just the conglomerate.
Provide Opportunities for Feedback When Possible
If you provide employees the opportunity to respond to changes, you empower all levels of business operations.
Feedback is, of course, invaluable to business owners who keep a distance from daily operations. While you maintain context for the company’s economic standing and overall performance, your employees know the day-in and day-out functions. Thus, they can best inform you how changes impact operations.
Allowing anyone to give feedback also empowers employees. Feedback lets them engage with the business strategies implemented and know the company hears them. This voice gives employees more faith in the company and, if leadership responds to feedback correctly, more pride in their employment.
Announce the Wins (and Failures) After Implementation
Helping employees adapt to operations changes doesn’t stop once the ball rolls. Employees frustrated with new strategies deserve to see when a change did or didn’t pay off. Announcing the wins and failures of a business strategy gives employees further context for their work and assurance that the company is moving in the right direction.
Keep in mind that each failure discussed is an opportunity for growth. Any employee can potentially provide your entire company with the solution you need to make the next strategy even better.
Helping employees adjust to new business strategies isn’t easy, especially when changes impact their lives during and beyond work hours. The best tool you have as a leader is your humanity. When you speak honestly and listen genuinely, your employees can adapt to change without too much stress.
