Issue 2 2020

CORPORATE VISION / Issue 2 2020 9 , Jan20033 Tools for Managing Change at Work In any leadership role, it is imperative to ensure that a team is united in its pursuit of a common goal. Effectivelymanaging a workforce that is increasingly digital, remote, and widespread can be challenging for business leaders of today. Enter the Change Shop™ - 2020’s Most PromisingWorkforceManagement & Analytics Platform. We spoke with visionary founder and CEO Robert E. Smith, Ph.D. to learnmore about this exciting newfirmand how it will become the standard for tracking organizational transformations. As workforces have become increasingly diverse and far- flung, the need for a workplace change management platform has increased. In 2018, Smith and his team launched the Change Shop™, an integrated platform of six change measurement and management tools that transform the way leaders support their teams. The award-winning, mobile-enabled platform includes assessments, benchmarks, and change tracking tools that have all been designed to capture critical team member feedback about planned or ongoing workplace changes. It is a platform that the corporate world has been needing, enabling leaders to effectively manage workplace change from anywhere in the world using people insights. Corporate Vision was fortunate enough to speak with Dr Smith recently, to understand exactly how the Change Shop™ will be such a revolutionary tool for so many businesses in operation today. As part of the interview, Dr Smith took the time to explain why he thinks it is a winning strategy. CV: Thank you for speaking with us, Dr Smith. Firstly, why create a platform with a focus on using technology to do something that most typically think of as a “people” activity? RS: As the workforce becomes more digital and remote, the tools leaders use to support their teams must also change. In the past, a simple face-to-face team meeting may have been adequate, but in an era where an increasing number of people in the workforce are remote or located in different geographies, it becomes more of a challenge. Not only to figure out ways to get people moving in the same direction, but also figuring out what will keep them motivated during transition periods. As I thought about what next- gen change management would look like, I knew it would have to be versatile, easy-to-use, and provide people-based analytics in a way that would allow a leader to track and manage change end-to-end. There is already a cadre of leaders responsible for ensuring change and transformative initiatives are successful, but if I could develop easy-to-use tools to help them along the way, then all the better. That is exactly what the Change Shop™ does; helps these smart, ambitious, and thoughtful change leaders understand the importance of getting things done. CV: The Change Shop™, which you have said is going to be a template in the emerging Change Tech industry, doesn’t look like a typical change management platform? Why? RS: Our approach brings together three core elements, including ease-of-use, a proven framework and methodology (the 2IsC™ framework), and organizational change benchmarking. No other change platform does all three, and we think that brings tremendous value to our client base. CV:You are currently funding the Change Shop™ out of your own pocket. Where is the future cash flow coming from? RS: We are really big on organic growth. We believe this platform to be very viable, particularly as the HR, talent, change management markets and the non-profit sector have begun to respond positively. Our client base has tripled over 2019, and roughly half of new subscribers are non-US clients. With constant and ongoing enhancements and client-led innovations, I believe the platform will be self- sustaining by the end of 2020, which is incredibly exciting! CV:What has been one of the more surprising reactions you have received whilst telling people about the Change Shop™? RS: One of the most surprising, and best, reactions came when I was providing a demo to a client whose organization was leveraging materials from one of our competitors. He was surprised by how easy our tools were to use, and how accessible our change methodology is. The concept of effective change management shouldn’t be hard or complex, but the work of leading change certainly can be, and often is. This particular client is now very happy with our service, and it is rewarding to receive that reaction as a validation of the work we have put into building this set of tools. Ultimately, Dr Smith’s vision and desire to see leaders effectively manage teams has manifested itself into one of the most innovative platforms in the world today. As leaders require new technology to help navigate change for workforces spread across the globe, there is little reason to utilise any other tools than those offered by the Change Shop™ to manage workplace change. Contact: Robert Smith Website: www.thechangeshop.com