Organizational Change - Four Key Management Strategies For Leaders

Every leader faces the need for change. Determining the need for change is based on numerous internal and external factors. Once a leader has determined that change is necessary, he or she must be diligent in managing the change process. How a team is guided through the change process ultimately determines its success or failure. Thriving organizations have leaders who know how to manage the change process.

The following steps are essential components to successfully manage the change process:

Step 1: Set up an accountability system that clearly outlines who is responsible for each important aspect of the change process.

Organizational Change - Four Key Management Strategies For Leaders

Once a leader has determined that a significant organizational change is necessary, a change leader should be identified. The change leader is responsible for overseeing each aspect of the change cycle including planning, implementing, monitoring, and transitioning into routine business. The change leader must be empowered by senior leadership in order to succeed. A change leader must be able to direct resources and staff from all levels of an organization to effectively drive organizational change. For large initiatives, a change leader will need to assign responsible parties for each major action area. In addition, each individual action item should have a responsible party. Accountability is necessary to ensure that the change process is focused and driven. It is also key to include representatives from a variety of levels and job functions in change planning and implementation. It is impossible for a leader to predict the impact that changes will have on every level and facet of an organization. By including a variety of staff, a leader is able to obtain a clearer picture of how the organization will be affected and will be able to achieve the greatest degree of success while avoiding or minimizing any negative impact.
Step 2: Effectively communicate with the change team and others impacted by the change.

The flow of information in an organization is its life force. To maintain and improve the strength of the organization, information must be shared upward, laterally, and downward. Regular communication is vital to a successful change process. The following must be clearly communicated to staff:

Why the change is necessary for the organization? Ideally this will include an overview of external and internal factors driving the change and the benefits to the organization. Who will be responsible for the change process? This includes identifying the change leader as well as the key team members responsible for major action areas. What mechanisms will be used to implement the change? This involves a description of the work plan and group processes that will be used to design, implement, and monitor the change process. Where staff assistance is needed to facilitate the change process? This includes clearly outlining how job duties will be affected and what is expected of staff during the change process. How the organization is progressing toward the desired change objective(s). This communication should occur at a regular frequency throughout the change process. It is important for the above information to be communicated in a timely and understandable manner to all staff impacted by the change. In addition, it is recommended that multiple forms of communication be used, including verbal (e.g., conference calls, voice mail) and written (e.g., e-mails, memos). Written information, such as phone lists and process flow charts, are more critical for staff that will need to frequently reference the information during the change process.

Step 3: Support the team in the challenges related to the process. Implement a mechanism to quickly problem solve barriers and answer questions related to the change process.

Successful change is dependent on staff understanding, investment, and focus. A team needs to be supported through each aspect of the change process. The following table suggests areas and examples of appropriate staff support:

Tools needed to get the job done: · Providing staff with revised policies and procedures and detailed written instructions regarding the change. Information needed to proceed with change initiative: · Set up daily meetings or an electronic site (via intranet and/or e-mail) where staff can ask questions and obtain assistance with issues. Staff training related to the change: · Providing staff with training on new policies and procedures, changes in their job function, how to communicate the change internally and externally, etc. Timely response for urgent issues:· Set up a quick response system for immediate issues such as a telephone tree with cell phone and pager numbers by area of issue.
Step 4: Acknowledge employee and organizational successes.

It is very important to acknowledge employee and organizational successes during the change process. This allows employees to know that their efforts are making a difference. People want to know that there is a meaningful purpose and a productive outcome resulting from their investment of time and energy.

Leaders can easily make the mistake of focusing on what is left to do and not taking enough time to celebrate the gains that have been made. While understandable, this mistake can lead to a loss of staff investment in the change process. If staff begin to think that an objective is unachievable, or that the organization will never be satisfied, it can lead to a reduced intensity of effort and even loss of employees.

Below are a few examples to acknowledge accomplishments along the road to successful change:

Thank you notes to staff for their investment and hard work related to the change initiative. Celebrations involving food, such as a cake with an applicable message, being brought into a staff meeting. Certificates of achievement for noteworthy staff accomplishments. Small gifts such as pens, candy, or gift certificates for special contributions. Leaders reporting on successes during meetings or in written communication. Staff will appreciate knowing that their contributions are recognized by leadership. They will also know that their time and effort is positively contributing to the organizational achievement of stated change objectives.

Organizational Change - Four Key Management Strategies For Leaders
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Zohreh Piurek is the senior vice president of Piurek & Associates and a specialty consultant. She specializes in strategic planning, project management and leadership development. Piurek & Associates is a values-based firm specializing in the delivery of management consulting services to health and human service organizations. Zohreh can be contacted through Piurek & Associates' website at: http://www.piurek.com

How To Open a Speech or Presentation

At a recent corporate storytelling workshop for Microsoft, I was asked a question that I hear frequently: "How do I open my speech?" Several others in the room agreed that the first two or three minutes of a speech are often the most awkward.

Is it that way for you, as well? Do you have a hard time getting started, but once you get going, you're all right? If so - welcome to the club.

In this article, I'm going to share what has worked for me and helped me build a lucrative speaking business. I'll also share the results of my research into what transforms a good speech into a Dynamite Speech.

How To Open a Speech or Presentation

I used to have a lot of anxiety before I gave a speech. I knew most of what I was going to say - not word for word - but in general. I knew what stories I was going to tell and what quotes I was going to use, and the overall sequence of things. What freaked me out was what I was going to say first.

I knew that telling a joke was out of the question because I can't remember jokes. Plus, any rule that is supposed to work for everyone - such as "always open with a joke" - is obviously a stupid rule! If there is one thing that I've learned from my own experience as well as from other speakers, it's that there is no ONE single way that works for everyone.

One day I was at the theater, sitting in the audience waiting for the curtain to go, and I had a revelation. I remembered all of the plays I had acted in and how the first line of each play was specifically chosen to set the stage for everything that came after it.

That got me thinking about the most powerful speeches I'd ever heard. They all started out with something meaningful. They didn't start with the speaker thanking anybody or talking about how wonderful it was to be in Buffalo, New York in January (because it's cold as heck). The first words out of their mouths were meaningful. They said something provocative or asked a provocative question.

I also realized that while I'd seen people start out with loud rock or disco music as they ran up the aisle from the back, for me, the most powerful openings were simple and direct.

Here are a few options for opening your speech, taken from my Dynamite Speech System.

Opening #1 - The Provocative Statement or Question Opening

Walk out to the center of the stage or room. Stand still and get centered. Let the silence sit there for a few seconds to build anticipation. Then, make a provocative statement such as: If you want your content to stick, emotion is the fast lane to the brain.

Another option is to ask a provocative question such as: When you give a speech, do you talk too much?

Notice how each of those statements is a bit contrarian. I love to combine two elements that are logical opposites. They make you think. The idea that you will get content to stick to the brain with emotion is illogical. The idea that you can talk too much while giving a speech is provocative.

What can you ask or say as your opening that will set up one of the main points of your speech? After you say it, pause. Let the statement or question hang there in space. Then move on.

Opening #2 - The Quote Opening

Find a provocative quote that seamlessly introduces your main point or premise.

Opening #3 - The Story Opening

Start by telling a story. Stories are an immediate attention grabber and activate your listeners' imagination. Make sure you choose the right story to open with. It can't be too dramatic or hilarious. Your Crucible and Imbroglio stories need to go in the middle of your speech. Choose a story that makes one of your main or the main point of your speech. You may begin the story up front, take it through to Step 4 - Encounter the Obstacle, and then stop. You can then close your speech with the resolution of the story, beginning with Step 5 - Overcome the Obstacle. Another option is to tell the entire story, make the point and then move on.

Opening #4 - The Rapport Builder Opening

If you've done your homework and used a pre-program questionnaire to discover the issues your audience is facing, you can open with a few statements that let them know that you understand their pain. Three or four sentences that address their current situation are all that you need to create a bond and let them know you're not going to give a generic rah-rah speech. Perhaps you can mention the name of someone in the audience who you spoke to on the phone before the meeting or conference. Then, give a speech that customizes your concepts and solutions to their needs and issues.

The main thing I want you to consider for your opening is to start strong. Know exactly what you're going to say. Don't waste time with chitchat about the weather or the city you're in. Get right to it. Surprise them. Shock them. Make them think.

I also don't believe that it's necessary or effective to thank the meeting planner up front. If you're going to do that at all, do it at the end.

What has worked for me is to memorize the first three or four sentences of my speech and to use the same opening over and over. Knowing exactly what I'm going to say and precisely how I'm going to deliver those lines, gives me confidence.

It helps that the words I say are part of my branding. If you've ever heard me speak, you know that there are a number of power phrases - provocative statements if you will - that are consistent from speech to speech and audience to audience. I don't make up something new every time and I don't mess with what works.

If you've been asked to deliver a sixty-minute keynote speech, every minute counts. The first sixty seconds is critical to how your audience perceives you. My advice is to write and memorize your opening. Deliver it the same way time after time. Tweak it when necessary until you have it down to the precise statement that creates the effect you're looking for.

Open strong and close with confidence.

How To Open a Speech or Presentation
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Doug Stevenson, president of Story Theater International, is the creator of The Story Theater Method and the author of the book, Never Be Boring Again. He provides keynotes speeches, corporate training and individual speech and story coaching.

His 10 CD - How to Write and Deliver a Dynamite Speech audio learning system, is a workshop in a box. It contains an 80-page follow along workbook. Learn more at: Dynamite Speech Home Study Course

Some of his clients include: Microsoft, Hewlett Packard, Century 21, Volkswagen, Oracle, The Department of Defense, GlaxoSmithKline, The American Medical Association, The Irish Management Institute, Amgen, The Denmark Ministry of Finance, UPS, The Internal Revenue Service, The National Education Association and many more.

Doug can be reached at 1-800-573-6196 or 1-719-573-6195 or at: http://www.storytheater.net

Subscribe to his RSS feed on his blog at http://www.dougstevenson.com

Conference Phone - More Multifunctional Than Ever

You may be think that you know everything there is to know about a conference phone, but they are an ever evolving technology. What was a top of the line phone system yesterday is obsolete today. Today, they go way beyond simply making conference calls. There are many types, functions and styles to chose from. What what choices are available will save you from purchasing a phone that contains unneeded bells and whistles or not enough functions to serve your needs.

A conference phone is totally different from a conference call although is is very easy to confuse the two. A conference call can be made from that type of phone, but it is only one of many functions available. A conference call can actually be made from a standard telephone using three way calling or another third party service. Technology has even allowed the standard computer to be used as a another way to utilize this function.

One of the most popular venues that the conference phone appears in is an office setting. This is because they provide a streamlined system of communication both inside and outside the office. A supervisor may use this phone system to connect to several employees at once to relay instructions or messages. The initiator of the call does not need to be in the same location as the other callers.. Information can be relayed immediately with no question of whether or not it was received.

Conference Phone - More Multifunctional Than Ever

Home and personal settings can also benefit from the use of a conference phone. Busy families can use the long distance speaker range to communicate without having to juggle a phone. Social calls such as party lines utilize conference calling capabilities to communicate with multiple peers. Even business persons can do much of their networking and participate in meetings by using a conference phone system at home.

Other standard functions of a multi line phone system include call waiting, caller ID and call log. Some allow the use of hands-free headsets and even a touchscreen. Just like the standard phone, many of the features can make life easier for the user, but they can also be unnecessary depending on lifestyle. The more high tech functions contained is usually an indicator of a higher price.

The conference phone is manufactured by a number of companies which offer a range of products that offer basic functions to technologically advanced phone systems. If only basic functions are needed, chose the phone which has the least amount of unneeded functions. A larger company, however, might find the investment in a technologically advanced phone system to be more practical.

Having a firm understanding of the specifications and usage of multi line phone systems is imperative for choosing the correct one. If you only need to make basic phone calls to multiple parties, try to chose a product with a low price point. Otherwise, find a phone system which has all of the newest modifications that will fulfill business or personal obligations. Using this information you will be able to successfully find the product best suited for your needs.

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Conference phone styles [http://conferencephonestyles.com/] vary just as much as other phones. Conference phones [http://conferencephonestyles.com/conference-phone-streamline-multiple-home-or-office-phone-lines.html] allow you to streamline multiple home or office phone lines.

TV Tuner For Laptop Computer - How to Watch Satellite TV on Your Laptop?

Have you ever wanted to catch your latest shows right on your laptop? The truth of the matter is that more and more people are looking into installing a TV tuner onto their laptops and enjoying all their favorite programming as it gets downloaded onto their machine. If you want to reduce the amount of hardware that you have around the house or apartment, you'll find that you can turn your laptop into an excellent home entertainment system, so if you feel that this technological innovation is something that you would enjoy, there is some information that you should be aware of. Choosing the right TV tuners for laptop computers can make all the difference.

The first thing that you need to know is that your computer is capable of operating just like a television, as long as it has some equipment that will allow it to do so. Find out if your computer has a TV tuner in it. In many new models, this is something that you can find, but if you have a slightly older or more stripped down model, you will need to go find yourself an external TV tuner. An external tuner will connect to your computer using a USB cord it will use an adapter plug to hook your laptop up to the cable outlet in your apartment. See what the right TV tuner for notebook computer will do for you.

If you are going to go hunting for an external TV tuner adapter, which is also known as TV tuner card, you will find that you can find them easily at any basic electronics store. When you have a selection in front of them, make sure that you are looking for the number of channels that it will support as well as the frame rate that it will support. You will also find that you are going to need to make sure that it will sync up with the sound card that it provides, and finally, always make sure that the adaptor will fit what you have at home. This is all fairly basic, but don't decline the help of the store employees if you want clarification on a few things. Finding the right TV tuners for laptop computers is something that you need to make sure that you get right the first time.

TV Tuner For Laptop Computer - How to Watch Satellite TV on Your Laptop?

When you are looking to turn your laptop into a place where you can watch TV, you'll find that for the most part, you are going to want a PCMCIA based TV tuner. These tuners are much more portable than those meant for desktop PCs, but you'll also find that they tend to have fewer outlets and fewer features. A USB-based TV tuner is actually quite easy to use and easy to install, but keep in mind that if you have an older computer that it might not be able to process the heavy data flow.

Remember that finding the right TV tuner for notebook computer use is something that you are going to need to consider. This means that you can enjoy hours of entertainment, all without logging out or missing your AIM Chat, simply by finding the right TV tuners for laptop computers. 

TV Tuner For Laptop Computer - How to Watch Satellite TV on Your Laptop?
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Download Satellite TV For PC Software Today!

"Start Watching Satellite TV Instantly" Visit www.PcSatelliteTVSoftware.com now! 

Vidhya Perumal is the author of this article. This article can be used for reprint on your website provided the links are intact.

Direct TV Review - Is Direct TV Worth It?

How long have you been sitting on the fence about satellite TV? Do you have any idea what an awesome TV viewing experience you're missing out on if you're still stuck with the limitations of cable? When I decided to go with a satellite TV system, I did it because I wanted a ton of channels. With Direct TV I got exactly that, and much, much more.

(By the way, if after you read this review you want to see what kind of deal you can get on Direct TV service, you have to scroll down to the bottom of this story and check out the sites I list there. These are the only sites I found where you can find the true up-to-the-second deals Direct TV is offering at the moment. More on that later.)

First of all, I'll tell you upfront that you'll pay a little more for Direct TV when compared to some of the other satellite TV providers. But that's comparing apples to oranges, because Direct TV has several benefits that aren't offered by their competition.

Direct TV Review - Is Direct TV Worth It?

For example, NFL Sunday Ticket is exclusive to Direct TV subscribers and a must-have if you're into football. Ever heard of interactive mix channels? Probably not. Only Direct TV lets you watch up to 8 live news, sports or kid shows on a single screen, all at the same time.

How would you like to get a sneak peek at new shows before they go on the air? Direct TV has an exclusive agreement with the FX channel that allows you to do that. And if music is what floats your boat, you'll be thrilled with the musical events on Direct TV that you won't see aired anywhere else.

HD programming is quite a buzzword these days. If you're not watching in high definition, you're missing out on the ultimate experience in TV viewing. Direct TV gives you 900 hours of HD programs every week, with plans to introduce more than 150 HD channels in the near future. Direct TV was the first to offer the History Channel in HD. I can only imagine how much the history buffs must love that.

You may be wondering how I know so much about Direct TV. I'd like to let you think that I'm just that smart, but the truth is I found those three websites I mentioned earlier (and that I list below) that have a mind-boggling amount of information. If you scroll down, you'll see the links. Having been to so many bogus sites with misinformation and outdated facts, it was a big relief to find a few that were so straightforward and up-to-the-minute with the latest and greatest that Direct TV has to offer.

But back to the review...

If you're into movies, Direct TV's got you covered there, too. Over 70 pay-per-view channels and more than 30 premium movie channels guarantee there's always a movie available whenever you're in the mood. The best part is you don't have to leave your living room. 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, movie watching is at your fingertips. Phone in your order, place it online, or use your remote. It just doesn't get any easier than that.

My in-laws recently moved to the U.S. from Greece. And thanks to Direct TV's international line-up, they're still able to watch their favorite shows from their homeland, in the language they're most familiar with. Direct TV offers programming from around the globe, more than 80 channels in Chinese, Arabic, Vietnamese, Polish, Russian, Greek, Italian and others. That doesn't include over 55 Spanish language channels.

I don't see how you could go wrong by choosing Direct TV, but hey, that's not my call. The decision is yours. Be sure to visit the links below to check out all the information you need to make that decision and, more importantly, to save some cash. You'll be glad you did.

Direct TV Review - Is Direct TV Worth It?
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There are really only three sites you need to know about if you want to make sure you get the best Direct TV deal. You should check out this Direct TV Review section on Hubpages; the Direct TV Review [http://digitaltvdojo.com/blog/2007/08/07/the-only-direct-tv-review-youll-ever-need/] entry on DigitalTVDojo's blog; and this Direct TV Review [http://www.squidoo.com/direct_tv_review] page on Squidoo.

Free Parent Teacher Conference Scheduling Software Offers a Practical Solution

Whether you are a parent or teacher (or both) scheduling parent teacher conferences in the 21st Century the "old-fashioned way" is not practical. As a parent, aren't you tired of the back-and-forth handouts? Circle the conference time and hope you get a spot that fits your schedule? As a teacher, do you have the time to send these handouts, emails and make phone calls to schedule (and re-schedule) conferences?

Do you find yourself surfing the Internet in search of tips for a better way? There is one Internet solution - a free online sign up tool and scheduler. Free parent teacher conference scheduling software offers a practical, modern answer that will solve so many of these types of problems for both parents and teachers.

Teachers, manage your parent conference schedule easily. A free parent-teacher conference scheduling tool is a powerful, web sign up tool that allows you to be in control of your own schedule. Simply register and launch a sign up calendar and invite parents to sign up with an email or a button on the class web page that you create. Everyone will have access to the same information. Print your schedule or simply view it online, anytime. Creating and sending handouts, making phone calls and sending individual emails would be a thing of the past, saving your valuable time.

Free Parent Teacher Conference Scheduling Software Offers a Practical Solution

Parents, the paper trail ends here. Think of it as another step towards green living! With a free parent teacher conference scheduler, you sign up online on a calendar (on your time) with a click of the mouse, choosing dates and times that work with your schedule. Making a change is no problem. The online scheduler is accessible at any time. Free parent-teacher conference scheduling software will send automated confirmation and reminder messages, helping everyone to keep their conference commitments.

Teachers, you don't need to wait for the school to purchase this type of software; it is available to you now. Online schedulers also help teachers and parents coordinate volunteers for all types of activities like classroom and library helpers, book fairs, school carnivals, field trips and virtually any type activity that you can imagine.

Using state-of-the-art, intuitive software, like the free parent teacher conference schedulers, makes parent conference time more relaxed and enjoyable. Conference time becomes hassle-free, and as hard working teachers and parents, you deserve that!

Free Parent Teacher Conference Scheduling Software Offers a Practical Solution
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Lori Krein is an artist, teacher and member of team VolunteerSpot. VolunteerSpot ( http://www.VolunteerSpot.com ) saves teachers and parents time and makes it easy to coordinate ANY group of people with free and easy online sign up sheets. Learn more about using VolunteerSpot for parent-teacher conference scheduling here: http://www.volunteerspot.com/ebooks/ParentTeacherConference.