How to Handle the Most Common Workforce Transformation Roadblocks

Covid19 has significantly accelerated the rate of change we have seen in the business world over the last year. Organizations in every industry have adopted new software, technology and changed their day-to-day processes to better meet the needs of their customers. Along with these shifts, we have also seen many organizations struggle to successfully achieve a complete transformation. Their efforts are often met with resistance and frustration.

Human capital management is a critical component that influences whether or not significant changes and transitions will be accepted. Business leaders are now focusing their attention on developing business strategies that help facilitate these changes and reduce resistance. To help you better navigate these changes, we have shared the most common roadblocks and the best ways you prevent them.

Common Roadblocks and Solutions

Poor Communication

One of the top mistakes organizations frequently make while going through a major transition is providing unclear communication regarding the changes that will occur. Failure to communicate a clear plan and expectations can significantly increase resistance to change.

You can resolve this problem efficiently by providing clear communication. This is often done strategically with an awareness campaign. An effective awareness campaign highlights when and how these changes will take place.

It will also highlight the benefits of the changes that are being made. Explain to employees how these changes will help them solve problems and help move them towards reaching goals.

Approaching Training as a Single Event

Providing training is a great first step in implementing transformation initiatives. Unfortunately, a single training session is rarely enough to truly facilitate enterprise-wide transformations. Developing a long-term training plan to create organization-wide change is needed for success.

Learners often have different levels of skills and learning preferences. Workforce transformation plans and human capital transformation go hand in hand. Employees must learn new skills and fully adopt changes for the transformation to be successful. Incorporating a blended training program with several different modalities, resources, and opportunities for learners will help your organizations successfully facilitate change.

Not Providing Enough Resources

Learning does not end outside the classroom. In fact, a lack of resources and reference materials can lead to low levels of knowledge retention. Learning takes place over time. It is a continuous process. If learners do not have resources and materials to help reinforce what they have learned, they are likely to forget a great deal of information, slowing the process.

Integrating reference materials and resources into your courses and in working environments can significantly improve training effectiveness. Tools such as EPSS programs, refresher videos, and PDFs can help learners retain their knowledge. Working these support materials into the flow of work this way is one of the best ways you can increase knowledge retention and application.

Implementing Change to Transition Slowly

When introducing new software or other technology, a slow introduction is not always the most effective implementation method. In fact, it can cause some confusion.

Try launching the software adoption program with a small pilot group before the enterprise-wide introduction to work out problems ahead of time. Then implement the final program on schedule at every level. Provide the training to all employees to assist in the transition. Be sure to integrate the program into your onboarding process as well. This will prevent confusion, speed up the process and keep all employees on the same page.

Final Word

Transformational practices are helping modern organizations become more competitive in today's business environment. However, investing in new technology and implementing processes is not enough. To successfully make organization-wide changes that have a true impact on business, you need a strategic plan. Developing an employee training program to assist employees through the transformational process will help you speed up the learning process and increase adoption rates.

Learn more about workforce transformation in action and read the case study Driving Performance Excellence for Frontline Workers.

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