Information and Change Management - Essay Example

What information would you like to receive?
Whenever an organization is going through a restructuring process change is inevitable. “The change management process is the sequence of steps or activities that a change management team or project leader would follow to apply change management to a project or change” (Change-management, 2011). As an employee of a company undergoing restructuring, I would like to receive information regarding how the changes in the organization are going to affect my day-to-day activities as an employee of the company. I would also like to receive reassurances to ensure the company offers the employees job security. Often during restructuring the executive managerial staff decides to downsize and cut jobs. It is important for the company to provide its employees with the company’s new mission and vision to ensure the firm’s goals are aligned with the expectations of the employees. If any new managers are going to be hired as an employee I would like to know what changes are going to occur among the managerial staff. Leadership is important and the employees follow leaders that earn their trust and respect through their actions and accomplishments.
From whom would you like to get this information? Why?
I would prefer if the information came directly from the board of directors or from the executive managerial staff. The managers of a company are responsible for the well-being and performance of the employees. A restructuring plan is a major strategic decision that must be made by the people in charge of a corporation. I would rather get the information from a manager because getting the information from such a source ensures its validity. Managers typically know about these types of decisions months in advance. Once these types of changes occur the manager is supposed to become a facilitator of information in order to clarify the different questions and doubts the employees may have concerning the changes within the company. Sharing information with employees can be very rewarding because it can improve the relationship between the managerial staff and the floor employees.
What would be the best media for you to get this information, considering the range of media discussed in our reading?
The best media to get this information to the employees is the utilization of internal forms of communication such as memos, emails, or the use of the intranet. The reason this is the best option is because these forms of communication are reliable and they are official. The employees of a firm can trust communication that comes from the company directly. Effective memos clearly define their audience to ensure the proper stakeholder receives the information it needs (Colostate, 2012). One of the advantages of using internal forms of communication is that its use constitutes documentation of information by the company. Keeping a record of communication can prevent misinterpretation of data and information.
What would be the worst way of receiving this information? Why?
The worst way of receiving this information is through informal channels such as the press. The press often changes the story to make it more sensational. The purpose of the press is to create a story that the readers will like. Often the press does not care about the truth since their objective is to obtain the highest ratings possible. Four forms of press coverage are television, radio, the internet, and the written press. In 2011 the total U.S. communication and media spending reached $1.12 trillion and spending is projected to reach $1.41 trillion by the year 2015 (Plunkettresearchonline, 2012). It is not in a company’s best interest for employees to obtain information regarding corporate restructuring plans from the press because their information may be biased, inaccurate, and corrupted. Information that the employees obtain from the press can often cause panic among the employees. The press can also disrupt information in order to create controversy and chaos in an attempt to keep a story going.
As a manager of change, how might you use these insights to form a media communications strategy?
Change has become a common occurrence in the business environment of the 21st century. “Change is an important factor in the success of every business.” Managers have to evaluate different factors to determine if the change is needed to improve the operations of a company. One of the cons of change is that employees are often afraid of changes because they fear change will negatively affect them. Establishing a media communication strategy can help managers distribute information more effectively. Managers should get to know local writers that work for newspapers, magazines, and other forms of media. Creating good relations with the local press is an effective networking strategy. Another strategy that can help improve the media communication of an organization is by publishing a monthly company bulletin. Read More