How to Manage Workplace Change as a Small-Medium Business?

4 Benefits of Change Management Training For SMEs

Organisational change is common, not just in more established and larger businesses but also in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Leadership starts the change management process, but employees feel its impact the most.  A recent study found that 37% of employees are resistant to change due to a lack of awareness, mistrust in management, changes to their roles, and being excluded from decision-making.

To manage change effectively in an SME, where disruptions affect employees more personally than in Fortune 500 companies, HR and leadership need to take a more active role. Change management training can help both employees and employers better understand and deal with the impacts of the change. 

In this article, we’ll be discussing the benefits of change management training for small and medium-sized businesses.

What is Change Management Training?

All manner of changes can happen within an organisation, from changes in key personnel, acquisitions and mergers, to shifts in the company’s objectives and offerings. To successfully navigate the change management cycle, employees must receive proper training.

One of the key benefits of change management training is that it can help leadership and HR accumulate the necessary skills to guide the company through the transition process. This training will prepare you for the obstacles you might face, monitor the post-implementation success, and psychologically support employees throughout the change management cycle.

Let’s move on to discuss the benefits of change management training for organisations.

Benefits of Change Management Training

Organisational change comes in various forms. For instance, Company A might have merged with Company B, a restaurant is moving from one location to another, or a business has decided to downsize due to financial issues. 

Changes within an organisation can happen for any number of reasons. To successfully make the transition without compromising the workflow or impacting worker morale, aligning new practices with the fundamental organisational values is essential.

You’ll only notice the following change management benefits when the entire process is well executed. The key stakeholders involved in the change management process flow should undergo training to assist the company throughout the change.

Here are the most common benefits of change management training:

Organisational Agility

Agility is extremely important, especially when an organisation undergoes a complete overhaul. Everything should be carried out seamlessly and efficiently without compromising the work output. A key differentiator between a successful and a failed organisational change company’s ability to perform during and after the change is implemented.

Reduced Risk and Costs

Even the smallest changes in our lives come with attached costs and a certain degree of risk. Now think in terms of changes in a business; the risk and costs involved are almost 100 times greater. Proper training helps businesses successfully manage any transformation by minimising the associated risks and costs. 

Engaged employees

The change management process can often present roadblocks when employees aren’t on the same page as their employers. 

One of the benefits of change management training is that it equips management and junior leaders with the right skills and communication techniques. This can help them to better understand and communicate changes and expectations to the staff. Your management staff will be able to confidently answer questions like why organisational change is important and how it will impact their team’s professional lives.

Employees involved in the change should be aware of what’s happening, so they can stay engaged and involved, without disrupting productivity. 

Alignment of Organisational Practice with Values

During the process of organisational change, especially in the case of mergers and acquisitions, it’s important to align your new practices with your old practices. This will help your employees feel more comfortable with the change and make the transition easier. 

Your workplace culture is important to maintaining employee motivation, engagement, and productivity.

Skills Acquired in a Change Management Training Programme

  • Analytical skills
  • Communication skill
  • Persuasion skills
  • Leadership skills
  • Adaptability and flexibility
  • Emotional intelligence
  • Team-building capabilities

Train Your Employees in Change Management With ElstonHR

Is your organisation undergoing change? You’ll greatly benefit from enrolling your key stakeholders in change management training. The numerous benefits of change management training contribute significantly to the success of an organisation.

With Elston HR’s change management training programme, you can learn how to identify the impacts of workplace change on a personal level, be more flexible and adaptive to transformation, and see change in a more positive manner.

Get in touch with Elston HR today.