John Kennedy said, “Change is the law of life. And those who look only to the past or present are certain to miss the future.”
On my first trip to New York City in 1981, I said I would never return because I wasn’t so fond of The City; then I married a New Yorker and moved to Staten Island. The first time that I tried to use a Microsoft mouse when Windows was introduced, I said I could type using the keyboard (thank you very much) and didn’t need the mouse; then I started teaching Windows as a technology trainer. I shrugged off my high school algebra C because I didn’t think I needed numbers; then, I envied my kid’s knowledge of math. Our world, our environment, and our jobs change daily, whether we like it or not. But, how much does it cost us to change?
In the last two years, I have had four clients ask, “What is the cost of change if I do what you recommend?” A thoughtful question that many organizations fail to ask, and may get blind sighted as they head into implementation. Even though only four asked, I always help inform all of my clients! ;-) To get to the cost / benefit analysis development stage, I start our journey by brainstorming with my clients on everything that needs to change: the resources, processes, and technology. Organizations are making big changes such as moving toward a new global travel management company, changing meeting management suppliers, switching meeting management technologies, etc. and this brainstorming exercise will help you prepare for that change.
Together with your stakeholders, answer these questions:
- Who is affected?
- What is affected?
- Why is it (or are they) affected?
- How is it (or are they) affected?
- When is it (or are they) affected?
- How many are affected?
- How long is it (or are they) affected?
- How much money, time, quality and morale are impacted?
Then, rate the above answers as Favorable, Neutral, or Unfavorable to an organization in the following categories:
- Cost
- Effort/Time
- Quality
- Morale
Document all of the benefits and risks of moving toward the change. Then, the answers are plotted on a chart, the intangibles are duly noted, the costs are calculated, and the cost/benefit analysis is created. Attached is a sample brainstorming document for you in Excel and my high level change management matrix. Note that more detail on both of these items will be in an upcoming book. Good luck and if you need help, please call!
Download Typepad - What is the cost of change
Download SCG Change Management Matrix
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Debi Scholar, GLP, CMM, CMP, CTE, CTT, Six Sigma Green Belt
• Author, Strategic Meetings Management: The Strategy Quick Reference Guide (2011)
• Meetings Management Mover and Shaker as selected by Corporate and Incentive Travel Magazine (2010)
• Top 20 Changemaker who influenced the meetings management industry by Corporate Meetings and Incentives (2008)
• Best Meeting Practitioner as selected by Business Travel News (2007)
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Debi@DebiScholar.com
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Debi has the following designations:
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• Meeting Professionals International Certificate in Meetings Management (CMM)
• Convention Industry Council Certified Meeting Professional (CMP)
• NBTA Corporate Travel Expert (CTE)
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