Dealing with the resistance of employees to change can be a costly and challenging process in today’s fast-paced business environment. In addition to adopting new working practices and shared workspace configurations, it can also be hard to manage to implement other changes. The benefits of adopting agile workplaces are numerous, and they can help companies attract and retain talent, improve employee experience, and boost productivity.
Unfortunately, many employees are not aware of the advantages of agile workplaces until they are already in place. This can lead to lower productivity and the loss of talent, which can sabotage the project’s success. Having the proper change management program can help prevent these types of problems from happening in the first place.
Utilize Influential Team Members
According to a study, employees are more likely to resist a new initiative if they are worried about its social impact. For instance, if an employee gives up their desk, they might not be able to sit with their colleagues or friends. One company was able to improve the success of its agile workplace initiative by identifying areas where the company could make changes. As part of its intelligent environments program, the company recruited space champions, individuals from each team affected by the new shared workspace configuration. These individuals worked together to develop a strategy that worked for everyone.
Anticipate Challenges
Once the goals have been established, the next step is identifying possible obstacles preventing the project from moving forward. According to Forbes, one of the best ways to avoid this is by looking for hidden resistance. Employee leaders were also tasked with gathering information about the various concerns of their teams to help the project team identify potential issues and develop a strategy to address them.
Make a Plan
The initial steps in implementing a new workplace can be slow, and employees can get used to the new environment. However, this method can be very challenging for workers as they have to make the transition to a new workplace.
Fix Technology Challenges
One of the most important factors employers should consider when implementing agile working methods is the technology issues affecting their employees’ mobility. For instance, will people use laptops or desktop workstations with docking stations? Having the proper telephone capabilities will allow employees to move around the office quickly. One of the most effective ways to better understand office usage is by implementing a utilization tracking system.