Question

How would you react to the typical “this is how we do things here” response to change? How can you help the employees make their transition from the unawareness stage to the action stage (stages in the acceptance of individual transition)? Specially thanks to the change curve we can predict people’s emotions and reactions to change. in reference with ringtone: exploring the rise and fall of nokia in mobile phones

Answer 1

The typical thinking " his is how we do things here” is seen in any organization is an alarming signal. This means the employees feel they have reached the maximum potential and that there can nothing be done greater than this, i.e. there is nothing more advanced or more better than the present product. This indicates the employees have become over-confident and feel that they have reached the top of innovation.

This attitude needs to be changed. However, this is not an over-night change. There has to be a systematic fashion to change the state of minds. Firstly, bring about a cultural change in the organization. Define or redefine values and goals. Then motivate employees to think creatively, think beyond horizon and innovate. Gather and present data from the world which would prove the need to change. Provide facility to employees such that they can group and develop new ideas and break-through the traditional barriers.

We must learn from the experience of Nokia. Nokia was on the peak. It was almost unbeatable and was earning profits and market share more than any other company. Just then, Samsung introduced Android based cellphones. The entire purpose of cellphone changed from being a simple calling and messaging device to a internetbased, mini-computer with the ability to access websites and several applications online. The android phones were a game-changer. Nokia failed to see this coming. It failed to innovate and focus on more technically advanced phones. Gradually, sales decreased, market share reduced, profits turned into losses and it was soon replaced by Samsung who utilized the new technology to provide higher technological phones to their customers - satisfying their said as well as unsaid wants.