Who Moved my Cheese?

Dealing with change effectively

X420 Discussion Session # 89

“The times they are a changin’….”
 Dealing with change is
 a constant in human life
 a constant in corporate existence
 unavoidable
Learning how to sail with,
or tack against, the winds of change
is an essential success skill
“You don’t need a weatherman
to know which way the wind blows….”

 In order to deal with change one

 needs to anticipate
 prepare
 and act, not react
One of the most immediately and personally effecting changes
is that which impacts on our ability to earn a living.

There are things you can do to get ready for such shifts in
fortune or circumstance.

Other than hide away and hope it does not happen, that is….
 “The answer, my friend is, blowin’ in the wind….”

 Anticipate Change

Networking

Context

Join the planners

 Networking

Building a network of friends,

acquaintances and contacts gives you
two major advantages in dealing with
change:
• an early warning system and
• a support group
 Understanding the context

By keeping up with trends in

• the economy,
• business,
• your field and
• your organization
you develop a feel for the context in
which events occur

Knowing what fits where helps you anticipate the scope

and direction of change that might effect your livelihood
and well-being.
  Helping plan for change

As an active member of planning

groups or steering committees within
your organization and community you
• expand your networking scope
and
• benefit from the ideas and
thoughts of others thinking about
and planning for change
 Merely anticipating change is insufficient…
you need to be proactive.
“It'll soon shake your windows, And rattle your walls
For the times they are a-changin’.”

 Prepare for Change

Keep your resume – or resumes – updated.

Pursue continuing education.

Save and invest your money.

 “…you better start swimmin‘, Or you'll sink like a stone
For the times they are a-changin‘.”

 Act, don’t react

Acting with
Only forethought and
react to change and
you willpreparation
sink in the storm.
ensures that you will have the
most opportunities for
successfully dealing with change.
SINK OR SWIM,
IT’S UP TO YOU
Managing change is a task both organizations
and individuals face….

Let’s examine some of the methods and

techniques professionals use to manage
change in organizations.
Change Management

Change management is
• a task
• an area of professional practice
• a body of knowledge

… and a useful “life skill”.

The Process of Change

The process can be viewed as

• Unfreezing
• Changing
• Freezing
The Process of Change as Problem Solving
A more fruitful view since it promotes

Planning
Pro-activity

Practice
Planning

To change
For change
In case of change
Pro-activity

To change
For change
In case of change
Practice

To change
For change
In case of change
Successfully coping with change requires
• Anticipating change
• Preparing and Planning for change
• Pro-actively dealing with change
• Practicing change
 EVALUATION QUESTIONS

Use:
a. Strongly agree 1. I found the presentation of material
b. Agree
c. Disagree
easy to understand.
d. Strongly disagree
e. Don’t know 2. This discussion session increased my
knowledge on the subject presented.
3. I will be able to use some of the information from the
discussion session in the future.

4. The presenter was well prepared for this discussion session.

5. This presentation should be repeated in future semesters.