Communication of organizational purpose — continually ensure that all employees are aware of the company's vision, goals & direction (as these evolve from top management), as well as changes in product focus, target markets, business finances, and organizational operations

Coordination of change/improvement efforts throughout the organization — help people from across the company focus on inspiring business & professional opportunities that lay on the horizon, and make sure they are rowing together in the same direction to get there

Consideration — show your understanding that change can be stressful and scary (for change can permeate into peoples lives such that even small shifts in company activity may be perceived as overwhelming)

Commitment by management and all areas of the organization — ensure that people are work together diligently during times of organizational uncertainty with a sense of maintaining trust and goodwill

Capabilities of individuals, departments and divisions — both a) make these well known throughout the organization such that knowledge & resources can be shared across the business, and b) help continue to build the right business, management and employee competencies for the long haul

Connections — help install new organizational pathways for communication or interaction that assists the company adapt to changing customer needs and business conditions

Community interests — both a) show that people's collective self-interests can be best served by focusing on the business' future; and b) reinforce desired attitudes and behaviors through every organizational practice (i.e., education/training, hiring/orientation performance management, recognition and reward, work environment, business & organizational planning, etc.) 

Note: Two organizational forums that can help you more quickly and successfully pilot change efforts within your business are:

1. the "three-level meeting" where 3 levels of the organization meet simultaneously to address issues of change within a "vertical slice" of the business.
2. the "cross-functional meeting" where representatives from across the organization meet to address change issues that permeate across the whole organization.

Harvy Simkovits, CMC, President of Business Wisdom, works with owner managed companies to help them grow, prosper and continue on by offering innovative approaches to business development, company management, organization leadership and learning, and management education. He can be reached at 781-862-3983 or .