Workplace Strategy and Benchmarking Insights – Case Study – Montgomery College
Montgomery College embarked on a significant workplace transformation initiative involving the relocation of its Central Services. When the college approached us, the transition was well underway, with Move Phases One and Two successfully completed. However, as is common with major organizational changes, some resistance to new work behaviors and the evolving environment began to surface among staff.
Anticipating these challenges, the college sought to proactively address potential long-term reluctance and resistance during the upcoming Phase Three of the move. To ensure the initiative’s continued success, Montgomery College enlisted the expertise of Stegmeier Consulting Group to provide tailored workplace strategy support through benchmarking and transition planning.
Challenges
- Resistance among staff to adopt new work behaviors associated with the transition.
- Maintaining momentum and enthusiasm for the workplace transformation during the third phase of the move.
- Ensuring alignment with industry-standard best practices for change management in similar relocation projects.
- Limited time and resources for in-person support.
Our Approach
Stegmeier Consulting Group provided Montgomery College with expert guidance tailored to their specific challenges through a combination of benchmarking and strategic workplace strategies. This approach allowed the college to efficiently address the complexities of its workplace transformation while staying within resource constraints. Key components of the engagement included:
1. Benchmarking Analysis
Stegmeier Consulting Group conducted a comprehensive review of Montgomery College’s change management processes and compared them against best practices employed by organizations in similar situations. This benchmarking analysis served two key purposes:
- Validation of Success: By identifying areas where Montgomery College’s efforts aligned with industry standards, the analysis reinforced confidence among the leadership team.
- Targeted Improvement Opportunities: The process also highlighted areas where adjustments could further refine the approach, ensuring a more effective transition and greater employee buy-in.
For example, the analysis revealed that while communication strategies were robust, there were opportunities to increase engagement through more interactive staff sessions and consistent follow-ups from leadership.
2. Strategic Workplace Planning
Stegmeier Consulting Group provided practical recommendations to enhance the college’s workplace strategy during critical moments of the transition. These strategies were designed to address specific challenges and deliver actionable solutions, including:
- Addressing Workforce Resistance: Techniques to overcome staff reluctance, such as promoting the benefits of the move through storytelling and tangible examples of success in similar transformations.
- Refining Communication Channels: Emphasizing the importance of transparent, two-way communication to ensure employees felt heard and included in the process.
- Sustaining Engagement: Celebrating milestones and creating opportunities for employees to actively contribute to shaping the new work environment.
These strategies empowered Montgomery College’s transformation team to address challenges proactively and confidently.
3. Change Management Resources
To complement the workplace strategy planning, Stegmeier Consulting Group developed a Change Management Comparison document. This resource offered a side-by-side view of Montgomery College’s practices against those of peer organizations. Key elements of the document included:
- Successful Strategies Identified: Examples of effective change management approaches implemented by other organizations, providing actionable insights for Montgomery College to emulate.
- Opportunities for Customization: Specific recommendations to adapt proven strategies to the unique culture and needs of Montgomery College’s workforce.
The document became a vital reference for the college’s leadership, ensuring they had a clear roadmap for managing the transition effectively.
Outcomes
The engagement yielded tangible and measurable results that positioned Montgomery College for success during the final phase of its workplace transformation.
1. Validation of Best Practices
The benchmarking analysis confirmed that Montgomery College was already employing many of the strategies seen in successful workplace transformations. For example:
- Leadership had implemented clear communication protocols to keep staff informed and aligned with the project goals.
- The change management team had established robust feedback mechanisms to gather employee input and address concerns.
This validation reassured the leadership team that their approach was on the right track, bolstering confidence as they prepared for Move Phase Three.
2. Actionable Insights
The workplace strategies and Change Management Comparison document provided Montgomery College with practical recommendations to enhance their efforts further. These included:
- Strengthening Managerial Engagement: Encouraging mid-level managers to act as change ambassadors, ensuring consistent messaging and support for employees.
- Building Momentum Through Quick Wins: Identifying and celebrating small successes to maintain enthusiasm and demonstrate progress.
- Reinforcing the Vision: Ensuring all communication tied back to the broader goals of the workplace transformation, helping staff see the bigger picture and long-term benefits.
These insights equipped the workplace transformation team with tools to anticipate and mitigate resistance, ensuring the project stayed on schedule and aligned with objectives.
3. Enhanced Preparedness
Through tailored resources and strategic workplace planning, Montgomery College’s transformation team gained the knowledge and skills needed to address potential challenges during Phase Three. Specific areas of improved preparedness included:
- Managing Resistance: Proactive strategies to handle employee reluctance, such as providing additional training and resources for those struggling to adapt.
- Sustaining Engagement: Creating a structured plan to maintain communication and enthusiasm throughout the transition.
This enhanced preparedness ensured a smoother implementation of the final phase, minimizing disruptions and fostering a positive experience for staff.
4. Efficient Use of Resources
By leveraging tailored workplace strategies and remote expertise, Montgomery College accessed high-quality guidance precisely when needed. This flexibility allowed the transformation team to address emerging challenges while ensuring timely solutions and maintaining momentum.
Stegmeier Consulting Group’s workplace strategy support proved to be a valuable resource for Montgomery College during a critical phase of its workplace transformation. By providing tailored, expert guidance, Stegmeier Consulting Group enabled the institution to successfully navigate challenges, validate its workplace strategies, and prepare for the final phase of its move with confidence.
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