While system integrators manage the technology side of a digital transformation, a change management consultant like us focuses on the people side. These specially trained experts use tailored, vision-centered strategies to guide your company through a technology change journey. A qualified consultant is highly skilled in developing and nurturing collaborative partnerships and values openness and communication as the bedrock of any change strategy.
So, how do you know whether these experts are right for your company’s rollout? This article will highlight ten tell-tale signs that you could benefit from a consultant and outline the specific services they can provide to ease your journey.
What is change management consulting?
Change management consulting manages the people side of a change, while system integrators handle the technology. A consultant builds the engagement, communications, and training that help employees accept and keep using what changes. The work runs from planning through support after go-live, so adoption holds long after the rollout ends.
When does a company need a change management consultant?
A company needs a consultant when a large rollout is coming and the people side is at risk. Common signs include no in-house change team, weak buy-in from leadership to end users, and no plan to support users after go-live. More than one sign on the list is a strong cue to bring in outside support.
- Your company is planning a large-scale software rollout
- Your objective is to realize the full value of your technology investment
- You’re concerned that employees might not use the new technology efficiently
- You don’t have a full-scale in-house change management team
- There’s not enough buy-in or commitment across all levels, from leadership to end-users
- You’re unsure how to effectively train employees on how to use the new software
- Launching new technology is stressful or feels burdensome for you
- You don’t have the resources to provide support users after the go-live date
- Staying on the scheduled timeline is extremely important to you
- You want the technology rollout experience to be positive for everyone
How many of these statements ring true for you and your company? If it’s more than one, continue reading the next section to discover the specific tools and services a change management consultant can use to make your technology rollout a success.
What does a change management consultant do?
A consultant guides the company through every step of the change and tailors the approach to its culture. The work builds awareness and acceptance, wins over teams with collaborative strategies, and helps everyone see their role in the bigger picture. Custom training strategies then turn that acceptance into lasting software adoption.
When you’re working with a consultant like ours, seasoned experts will walk you through every step of the change journey, uniquely tailoring their approach to meet your company’s needs.
Connecting your team to new technologies starts with change management. This service helps foster awareness, acceptance, and software adoption as consultants seamlessly blend into your company culture.
Change Management Tools and Services From a Consultant Might Include:
- Tailored and collaborative strategies to win over your team
- A game plan to promote greater team involvement and ownership
- A framework that helps everyone see their role in the big picture
- Custom training strategies that encourage engagement and action
Can a change management consultant also run training?
Some can, and the combination matters. Not every consultant offers both change management and learning and development. Intellezy combines them. One team covers instructional design, eLearning development, and support after go-live. Training is then planned as part of the change itself rather than as a separate project that starts later.
Not every consultant can provide both L&D and change management services. However, combining them as we do gives you access to all the tools you need to maximize your success.
Learning and development tools and services from a change management consultant might include:
- Results-focused instructional design and program planning
- Engaging and informative eLearning development
- Creative job aides and FAQs to improve concept recall
- Assessment tools to measure progress
- Accessible post-go-live support
What is staff augmentation in change management?
If your change management consultant provides staff augmentation, you can use that service to help you augment a small team or integrate temporary staff, helping you meet your goals faster. This option is especially beneficial for companies who don’t want the financial burden of hiring FTEs.
Staff augmentation services from a change management consultant let you outsource highly trained change management support staff, managers, and leaders, depending on the skillset you need.
What are the benefits of a change management consultant?
A consultant raises buy-in at every level, from leadership to end users, and spreads commitment to the change across the company. It also eases the burden of a rollout, reduces risks to progress, and keeps support going after go-live. The result is higher long-term adoption and a stronger return on the technology investment.
Successfully navigating a large-scale technology rollout can be much easier with experts to guide the way. The following are a few of the benefits of a change management consultant:
- Achieve greater buy-in at all levels, from leadership to end-users
- Seed company-wide commitment to the change
- Alleviate the burden and stress of a technology rollout
- Mitigate risks that could deter progress and success
- Receive continuous support long after the go-live date
- Promote higher long-term user adoption rates
- Increase the ROI of your technology investment
As seasoned change management consultants, we’re on a mission to create cultures where employees can continually embrace technology faster, better, and together. If you want a partner that’s as committed to your success as you are, contact Intellezy today to learn more about our training.