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Establish an Atmosphere of Open Communication
Open communication is important in every organization at all times, but it becomes even more critical during times of change. As you plan the changes you wish to make, consider developing a concurrent communication strategy to remind people what the changes are, what the expectations are, and the progress you are or are not making in your change efforts.

In a changing environment, people lose their motivation if they are not involved, and kept informed about what is going on around them. Keep in mind that numerous surveys have revealed that many employees feel undervalued, and the less they are informed, the more likely it will have a negative impact on their performance. Your silence may be misinterpreted. With open communication you help build trust between yourself and your people. Com-municate what you know and, as uncomfortable as it sounds, communicate what you don't know. Failing to address the difficult questions--questions people may already be asking each other and their peers--does not make the issues go away. For example, if you are not sure you will be able to retain every employee say so. They will respect you for your honesty.

Introduce Change Gradually Whenever Possible
Too much change at once can create chaos for yourself and your organization. You may feel your people are ready to respond to change, but they may not be able to absorb the changes as quickly as you like. It takes time to assimilate new information, learn new CRM systems and procedures, or change cultures. Give your people time to understand the changes before introducing more. Many executives and managers agree with this strategy. However, others have stated they prefer a single big macro change rather than several small ones. They feel if everyone learns the game plan all at once, then it's over and they can get on with it. They contend that disruption continues during the change process whether it is a big one or small ones dragged out over time. You know your people, so think about what would be best for them.

Be sure to keep this in mind: You may be committed to the decisions for change, but others may not have had time to accept the changes let alone understand them. You will have to make sure they understand what your needs and expectations are and help introduce it incrementally if possible. Just remember it's important to move at a pace that will ensure you meet your business goals and maintain customer care while giving your people the opportunity to process the changes for themselves.

Ask for Accountability
Ask your people to be accountable to each other for maintaining high morale. By placing an equal value on teamwork, professional behavior, performance, and accountability, you will be able to provide better service to both customers and internally. Even if change is difficult and may need to be introduced incrementally, people still need to be held responsible for making the required changes.

Be in Tune to Difficulties Some May Be Experiencing
Recognize that most people fear change but it affects each one differently. Some will be more adaptable than others will. While, some people enjoy being stretched beyond their present comfort zone, others may be completely insecure. You need to let them know you understand the challenges they are facing and your job as a leader is to help them through it. Be sure to provide adequate training in new products or procedures. Keep your door open so people can come in to discuss any apprehension. You want to provide a comfortable environment where people can air their concerns. It's normal for people to resist change, so the more patience you show the sooner they will adapt.

Encourage Acceptance and Focus on Positive Opportunities
When people complain about a new system, process, or procedure, you need to acknowledge the difficulty and explain that once they are comfortable with it, their work will become easier.

Communicate to your people they have a choice. They can be either an advocate or a resistor to change, but if everyone does their part, together, you can get through it, and that in the long run, it can be better for all concerned. Help them to see that negativity will only hold everyone back and customer service will be affected. Encourage support, and make them feel a sense of excitement about themselves and your company. If rewards are in the picture, you will see an increase in their level of enthusiasm.

Ask for their input. Give Feedback. Take Action!
Employee involvement is the key to creating high performance through change. Ask your people for their ideas on how you can support each other. This is especially important for those involved in customer care. Many companies are guilty of underutilizing the ideas and suggestions of their front-line and customer service people when going through change, and do not take full advantage of their knowledge and experience. If employees are not involved, they won't feel they are a part of the change; they'll feel more like victims of change.