Question

Chapter 12 discussed the concept of implementing strategy and presented some techniques on how to successfully accomplish change. Regardless of the type of change being implemented, making a change is difficult.

For this Discussion Thread, you are to present your thoughts on why implementing change is a difficult process and provide an example of a company that implemented a change (either a process, product, service, etc.) that was either successful or a disaster.

Answer 1

Implementing a change requires relentless efforts in terms of resources, people, and their thoughts in the process. Changes fail mostly because of the lack of diligence and understanding of what is expected as a result. Successful change requires a multi-level approach to prevail – a commitment by the top management, full ownership by the workforce, and continual support for and by the middle management.

All the involved people need to forget what they had been doing in the past and think about what can be changed to achieve the desired result. In some cases, people don't even know what is the desired result as they are thinking about a new product or a service. The major challenge is to 'sell' the change to the workforce and make sure they are on board to support the initiative. If a change is terminated in the middle of implementation, or put on hold indefinitely, it is very difficult to achieve employee interest for later change initiatives.

Coca-Cola is always on a war with Pepsi due to the similar products and in a race to increase market share. The 1980s is considered as a great Cola Wars due to the battle between Coca-Cola and Pepsi. In 1985, Coke announced a change in its secret formula for the flagship drink. The “New Coke,” as it became known, would have a sweeter taste, more similar to the Pepsi that consumers favored in blind taste tests. The change angered the coca-cola consumers who said that they are not able to buy the original coke. Coke fans actually raised a petition to the company to bring back the recipe. The company had to bow down to the wishes of its customers and brought back the original formula in less than 3 months under the brand name, 'Coca-Cola Classic'.