Hamy Anthony Hai works as a CIO for a large technology firm, and in the following article, Mr. Hai explains change management – what the strategies are, what it does for staffing and technology, and how it affects businesses post-pandemic and beyond.
Between pandemics, inflation, and supply chain issues, the last two years have proven that unpredictable changes are more predictable than most managers could have imagined. With ever-changing circumstances, businesses have had to develop specialized change management strategies to quickly pivot and correct their staffing, management, and technology needs says Hamy Anthony Hai. From simple digital communication to complex digital adoption platforms, businesses are revolutionizing their approach to everyday operations.
With a greater emphasis on digital and cloud-based systems, change management has become a driving force behind the modernization of most business models. Hamy A. Hai explores some of the trends affecting change management and discuss how they are leading companies towards higher profits, better employee retainment, and improved efficiency.
Hamy A. Hai on Adjusting to the Digital-First Workplace
When future generations look back on the COVID-19 pandemic, they’ll view it as a turning point in the way businesses operate explains Hamy Anthony Hai. Gone are the days when employees had to sit at a desk in an office for nine hours at a time. Instead, the majority of businesses have incorporated remote work into their daily operations, creating a hybrid at-home/in-office business model.
Hamy A. Hai explains that change managers are now working to accommodate the digital-first workplace by implementing new systems and processes that enable employees to work from anywhere at any time. Additionally, change managers are developing communication plans that help employees stay connected and engaged while working remotely.
In some instances, this is as simple as requiring employees to download and learn to operate Zoom, whereas other businesses have developed their own remote video conferencing software to meet their company-specific needs explains Hamy Anthony Hai. Throughout this process, though, it’s up to change managers to guarantee that employees understand and implement the new guidelines.
Change Has Become a Part of Corporate Culture
These days, nothing stays the same for too long. Rather than fighting against the flow of progress, change managers are learning to embrace the rapidly advancing pace of technology while also adjusting for regular disruptions and barriers. Many managers like to throw around the buzzword “agility” but, as cliché as it may sound, this trend does require a certain amount of flexibility according to Hamy A. Hai.
In order to keep up with the competition, businesses must learn to continuously change and adapt their products, services, and processes. This means that change management must become a part of the corporate culture, rather than being seen as a necessary evil.
Hamy Anthony Hai explains one way to do this is by establishing a dedicated change management team whose sole purpose is to oversee the planning, implementation, and evaluation of changes. This team can help to ensure that changes are made efficiently and effectively, while also providing support to employees who may be struggling to adapt.
Another way to embed change management into the corporate culture is by making it a part of the performance review process. This sends a clear message to employees that their ability to adapt to change will be taken into consideration when their job performance is evaluated.
Employee Onboarding Has Become a Bulwark Against the Great Resignation
Hamy Anthony Hai explains that in the last year alone, the American economy has seen roughly 41 million employees resign in favor of better benefits, higher pay, and healthier work environments. With so many employees quitting, businesses have had to invest more time and resources into attracting and retaining top talent. One way to do this is by improving the employee onboarding process.
New employees are often overwhelmed by the amount of information they need to learn in order to be productive. Hamy A. Hai explains that this is especially true for employees who are joining a company during a time of change. To combat this, businesses are investing in digital adoption platforms that provide employees with a personalized learning experience.
These platforms offer employees the ability to learn at their own pace, in their own time, and on their own devices. Additionally, they allow businesses to track employee progress and ensure that everyone is on the same page. Digital adoption platforms are quickly becoming the new standard for employee onboarding, as they help to reduce turnover rates and improve employee engagement.
Hamy Anthony Hai says that although the exact effect of these changes is still under consideration, businesses are hopeful that by improving their onboarding systems, they will be able to offset the risks of an ongoing brain drain and retain top talent.
The Takeaway
The last few years have been a rollercoaster ride for businesses of all sizes. Yet, by restructuring their approach to change management and embracing ongoing trends toward digitalization, companies have been able to chart a steady course through these tumultuous times. And, although these trends were spurred on by so-called “unprecedented times,” they seem to be here to stay.
