I am not sure if you are aware of this or not, but did you know that any time you make changes in management you normally will affect every division of a company?
When you make the changes, it is critical for every employee to understand the aftermath of these changes and how to go about their daily business. If you will follow these five steps, the transition will go much smoother and seamless.
1. Start very early. The most important factor in managing change is to initiate the change during the beginning of a project. Allow the new management to start with a fresh assignment and not be concerned with picking up someone else’s role.
2. Apply structure. Owners and management need to establish guidelines and expectations for the new manager to abide by. During this time, owners will need to be more hands on and involved in their company’s business to make sure the transition is easily put in place.
3. Customize your approach. As a new manager, you have the freedom to create your own management approach. The previous manager’s approach may not have worked, so now it is your opportunity to try something new.
4. Engage your employees. It is important that everyone is aware of the changes and are able to be active participants in this change. This is most important for salespeople because they are the driving force of the company.
5. Focus on the individual. Because technicians’ responsibilities are independent of others, new managers must maintain communications with technicians. Technicians’ roles require more individual attention and new managers must establish relationships with technicians early on.