Worlds Collide

When Worlds Collide

Date: Saturday, October 15, 2011

To: Jans Petr

From:

Subject: When Worlds Collide

As I understand it, the main problem with your situation is either not having adequate resources that are supporting some departments. You have developed a new electronic form to sell to customers. You purchased a small firm that has already had the experience. Some small product lines were discontinued to make time and monetary support for the new project. However, the company is now losing money, and the staff is uneducated with the new software.

I looked at this situation using ‘Kotter’s Eight-Step Plan for Implementing Change’. I selected this approach because you saw a change and jumped for right in. You did perform some research, but there is more than just research needed for a successful change. Your sales force is having a difficult time selling and servicing the new electronic forms concept because of lack of training. The technical departments, who are working with the software, have no time to develop the software because they are busy with pre-sales support.

Briefly, John Kotter created ‘Kotter’s Eight-Step Plan for Implementing Change’ because he saw the common mistakes that managers have made by trying to implement change. Kotter listed eight steps that show a sense of urgency about the change, all the way through to reinforcing the change.

Analysis

Step 1 - Urgency

Step One of this theory states, “Establish a sense of urgency by creating a compelling reason for why change is needed”. You were able to create this part of theory. The customer service department stressed to you that the organizations customers were looking for electronic forms. Instead of sitting around ignoring the comments and suggestions, you did some research and took the electronic forms to the next level.

Step 2 – Form a Coalition

Step Two of this theory states, “Form a coalition with enough power to lead the change”. The statement...