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Re-organising again?  Here are 6 ways to make it a success

Technologies and markets are now moving so fast that few organisations escape the need to reorganise. Reorganisation is rarely easy and never simple, but there are some things that I have learnt painfully over the years that may help.

1. Make change long term and inspirational

All change, particularly changes to culture, take time: between 1 – 3 years. You can (and should) look for quick wins but to change an organisation takes time and persistence. Change is exciting for some, threatening for most. Good reorganisations inspire people about the future. Paint a picture of how your company will look when the changes are made. Build opportunity and excitement. If you do not you will lose your good people.

2. Begin with your strategic objectives

Be very clear why you need to reorganise. Is it to take advantage of new opportunities; is it to cut costs; is it to change the skill base of the company; is it to integrate a new acquisition? Think through what you are trying to achieve. What are your top three strategic objectives? What people and processes will you need to achieve them? NEVER, EVER start with an organisation chart. What you have to change is how people do things, changing who they work for will not do that.

3. Think SCARF (thank you David Rock)

SCARF is a great thinking model to minimise the organisational impact of change. As human beings we are programmed to react to threats by shutting down logical thinking and running as fast as we can away from the threat. In the 21^st century, the threats are:

STATUS

Try to minimise status changes as far as possible and make sure that you are clear about the rationale for change.

CERTAINTY

People can deal with most things except uncertainty. Uncertainty fuels the rumour mill. Be honest and if you cannot tell people when things are going to happen then give them a date on which you will tell them.

AUTONOMY

Involve people in planning their futures as much as you possibly can. After all they know more about how the organisation works than you do.

RELATEDNESS

Make sure people are not left out of the communication and decision-making process. The more people feel they are in the loop the more supportive they will be.

FAIRNESS

Be as fair as you can and if you cannot then explain why.

4. Be ruthless

The worst reorganisations are those that go slowly. If you must cut jobs cut hard and cut once. Be kind, be fair but be fast. Yes, you will make some mistakes but getting through change quickly allows organisations to move on.

5. Over communicate

You can never communicate enough, ever. Getting communication right will mean that it feels to you as though you are saying the same thing over and over again. You will be, and people will appreciate it.

6. Focus on the future

Reorganisations that involve change and redundancy tend to focus managers and HR departments on those who are going, rather than those who are staying.   Be fair to those who are leaving but focus on the future and make sure that those who are staying are inspired by the future strategy.

Pat Chapman-Pincher 

Pat has spent most of her career founding and growing leading edge technology companies all around the world.   Pat believes that thoughtful and inspiring leadership is critical to the future growth of the world economy and now uses her skills and experience to help leaders and teams at all levels reach their full potential and to help companies succeed in a world where technology is transforming the way we do business. 

Pat is a Founder of www.defyexpectations.co.uk