CTrl+ALT+IT
Jim Slaymon
Why Do We Resist Change?
We’ve all experienced this at some point. A new system, process or policy is announced and the first reaction is, “Why are we changing it? The old way works fine.” We are comfortable with what we know. Once we've learned how to do something, it becomes routine. We know what works, what doesn't, and how to get through the day efficiently. A new process means giving up that comfort and starting over.
Change creates uncertainty. “Will this make my job harder?”, “Will I be able to learn it?”. “Will my responsibilities change? “, “What happens if I make a mistake?” Sometimes the uncertainty surrounding a change creates more concern than the change itself. Learning something new takes effort. Employees still have their regular jobs to perform while they're learning a new system or procedure. For a while, the new way may take longer than the old way.
Yet, change can be a good thing. While change can be uncomfortable, staying the same has risks too. The way we've always done something may work today, but that doesn't mean it will continue to be the best approach. Change can eliminate unnecessary work. Technology and improved processes can automate repetitive tasks, reduce duplicate entry, eliminate paperwork, and give employees more time to concentrate on work that requires their knowledge and experience.
Change can also solve problems we've simply learned to live with. Maybe we've worked around an inefficient process for so long that we no longer recognize it as a problem. A change can force us to ask an important question: “Is there a better way to do this?” Change creates opportunities to learn. New systems, responsibilities, and processes can help employees develop skills that make them more valuable to the company—and more valuable professionally.
Change helps us remain competitive. Our customers, competitors, technology, and industry aren't standing still. Why should we? A company that refuses to change because “that's how we've always done it” eventually risks being passed by companies who are willing to adapt. In today’s market, standing pat is not an option.
Employees can help make change better. Accepting change doesn't mean blindly agreeing with every decision. The people who perform a job every day often know more about the practical details than anyone else. Constructive feedback can identify problems management didn't anticipate and turn an average idea into a much better one.
Technology changes, customers change, competition changes, employees change and the business changes. Sometimes the better question is: “Could there be an even better way?” Being willing to ask that question doesn't mean abandoning everything that has worked in the past. Take what we've learned from the past and use it to build something better for the future.
We’re introducing a lot of changes in P21 with the way we use our pricing module. The old way works, so why change it? These changes being introduced can and will have a positive impact on the company's bottom line and that benefits all of us. Please make sure to follow the new procedures when pricing items and don’t be hesitant to ask for help.