Joni Podolsky JoniPoPacBell'Net Nonprofit Technology Conference March 26, 2004

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Joni PodolskyJoniPo_at_PacBell.NetNonprofit
Technology ConferenceMarch 26, 2004

• Transition Technology
• How to Help Your Organization Successfully Adopt
  New Technology

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Todays Purpose

• To address organizational transitionthe human
  aspects of implementing technology projects.

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Overview

• PresentationOverview of Transition Management
• PanelExamples of real organizations that have
  instituted technology change
• Audience DiscussionDifferent approaches to
  addressing the human side of technology change
• QA

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What is Transition Management?

• The process with which you help people embrace
  change.

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Change vs. Transition

• Change
• Is external.
• Is situational.
• Occurs at a single point in time.
• Transition
• Is an internal, psychological process.
• Happens over time.
• Occurs at different rates for each individual.

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Transition is Like Being on a Trapeze

• Some people will embrace change easily and
  immediately swing to the other side.
• Some will be afraid to let go of the platform.
• Some will watch from down below.
• Some will dangle in the middle with no momentum
  swinging them either way.

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Why is Transition Management Important?

• Although implementing new technology will create
  changes, it cannot create transition.
• The objectives of your new technology project can
  only be achieved when a critical mass of people
  complete their individual transitions.

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How Do You Manage Transition?

• Develop a technology plan.
• Include on your planning team those most effected
  by the change as well as those most resistant to
  it.
• Acknowledge that something is ending in order for
  something new to begin. Honor the past.
• Help others understand why the change needs to
  occur.
• Acknowledge the groups and individuals who are
  going to be affected and have to go through a
  transition as a result of the change.

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How Do You Manage Transition?

• Communicate, communicate, communicate!!
• Define the need for change.
• Describe the vision for the future.
• Share research data.
• Create a sense of urgency.
• Supply regular progress reports.
• Describe the impact the change will have on
  existing services.
• Acknowledge the impact the change will have on
  individuals.

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Panel

• Steven Birnbaum, COO, Jacobson Consulting
  Applications, Inc.
• Bill Hulterstrom, President, United Way of Utah
  County
• Carolyn Sevos, President, IntraCommunities, Inc.

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Audience Discussion

• Why do people resist new technology?
• What are your experiences in overcoming this
  resistance?

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Additional Resources

• Wired for Good Strategic Technology Planning
  for Nonprofits, by Joni Podolsky (Jossey-Bass
  2003)
• Available through normal book retailers.

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Additional Resources

• Bridges, William. Managing Transitions Making
  the Most of Change. Cambridge, Mass Perseus
  Books, 1991.
• Bridges, William. Surviving Corporate
  Transition Rational Management in a World of
  Mergers, Layoffs, Start-Ups, Takeovers,
  Divestitures, Deregulation, and New Technology.
  Doubleday, 1988.
• Conner, Daryl R. Managing at the Speed of
  Change How Resilient Managers Succeed Where
  Others Fail. Villard Books, 1993.
• Beckhard, Richard and Pritchard, Wendy. Changing
  the Essence The Art of Creating and Leading
  Fundamental Change in Organizations.
  Jossey-Bass, 1992.
• Johnson, Spencer, M.D. Who Moved My Cheese? New
  York G.P. Putnams Sons, 1998.