In our last post, we began to discuss the many ways you can begin to build a culture of continuous improvement at your company in 2017. As we mentioned before, defining what you want from your employees in the future and building a framework to accomplish it should be your first step. However, once you have your plan devised, it’s time to begin putting it to action.

Getting Your Employees Onboard

The next step to making this happen is to build awareness and desire in your employees. While you as the owner, may be all for creating a culture of continuous improvement, your employees may not even be sure what continuous improvement is. Giving them information about how you plan to move forward in order to create this culture. This will slowly become a change in attitude in your office that will allow for you to begin making small changes to render you the type of work environment you desire. However, this will also require that you too continue to seek new processes, be more efficient and more than anything, trust your employees to help you reach your goal of having a successful business. Whatever you do, don’t put all of the work in one place, whether that place be on yourself or solely on your employees.

When you hear negativity…

With change always comes a handful of people who aren’t going to be happy about. People are creatures of habit and when we have to do things that are out of our normal routine, we often try to fight it. When you hear or sense negativity regarding the changes that are soon to be made, be sure to continue to communicate effectively with your employees. Reassure them that the changes are being made with their interest and the interest of the company as a whole in mind. Once you thoroughly explain why changes are occurring, you will likely notice a shift in attitude and in the desire of your employees to make these changes that are directly aligned with the mission of your company. It may take some time, but it will pay off in the long run.

part2-side-page-content-image-12-20-16Time to Create New Habits

There will undoubtedly be those employees who are self-starters. These are the people who will jump in head first once you begin announcing the changes that will take place in your business. Be prepared for questions like “What’s next?”. These people want to be the champions of the new culture, so let them be. After all, the more people you have on board, the better. Those who take the lead will also help you to decide who will be jump starting new processes and tackling new projects for you in the future.

For the others, give them some time to adjust. Give your employees a timeline that will tell them what they expect and when throughout the next year. Show them how they will be given the tools to improve as well as how they will be using those tools to help the company reach its fullest potential.

The Professional Development Center Can Help

If you would like to be sure you are executing your plan as well as you possible can, the Professional Development Center at Glendale Community College in Montrose can help you. We offer many classes on continuous improvement, as well as courses on leadership and more. Take a look at our online course catalog today. You can create a stronger, better business in 2017, all you have to do is make the decision to do so. Contact us today for more information regarding our classes and when you can enroll.