Change in directions

Dos and don'ts of implementing change:

Do:

* Make sure that leadership formulates the vision.

* Have a sense of urgency about your mission.

* Commit sufficient resources.

* Develop a strategic plan.

* Create short-term goals that are achievable markers along the road

to success.

* Create an adaptive corporate culture.

* Gain buy-in from workers and middle managers.

* Empower workers through open and frequent communication.

* Provide timely and appropriate training.

* See glitches as learning experiences.

* Shift to a culture that respects, expects and enjoys change.

* Review and revise the plan regularly.

* Send out regular updates of procedures.

Don't:

* Don't make change a top-down experience.

* Don't leave anyone out of the planning process.

* Don't focus only on the big picture and forget to set short-term goals

as well.

* Don't assume that information just "gets out."

* Don't allow expectations to become unrealistic.

* Don't train too early or too late.

* Don't be fixed on turf rather than customer needs.

* Don't let the plan be carved in stone.