Walmart is one of the stores that have set a high standard in the retail sector in the United States of America. For that reason, the management has been on the forefront in employing strategies that result in high employee performance by minimizing resistance in communication. Communication is one of the critical factors that are pivotal to the success of any business, and when it is not considered, the enterprise suffers massive losses. This paper takes a closer look at how resistance to communication can be handled in Walmart and the best communication strategy that the business can adapt to propel it to unfathomable levels of success.
It is evident that change is inevitable in an organization and that at one time, all employees will have to conform to change. However, it is quite unfortunate that it is the very employees that resist organizational change and curtail any step that is geared towards it. A plethora of reasons abound as to why employees resist change, but the obvious one is due to inadequate response to change by management (Paycor, 2016) .
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Every single company worth its salt leaves its top management with the sole responsibility of making a change in the company. Despite that reason, many challenges still arise later on in the company due to the management’s fault to make decisions that will effect change. Managers who only play the role of being managers in organizations rob the organization of its success since they do not have the prerequisite skills required to implement change. Their lack of mastery of the knowledge and skills often translates to poor communication in the organization between the general employee and the C-suite.
Reasons to Change
Indeed, the management of a company should understand that employees will always try to resist change in spite of the circumstances. More often than not, they will not respond to the implemented changes with the swiftness, glee, and happiness that is expected by the management. Human beings have always preferred to maintain the status quo since time immemorial. Unfortunately, most of them have done this by resisting change. Often, individuals prefer stability, comfort and a predictable routine in both their professional and personal lives. They would not want a scenario whereby management disrupts their everyday lives in the name of introducing organizational change (Ferreira, Cardoso & Braun, 2018). Employes in any organization should brace themselves for change at any time since it is inevitable. A majority of the companies have made it their top priority to undertake reforms in the contemporary business environment. As a result, employees who do not conform to imminent changes might end up being rendered redundant.
Causes of Resistance
All employees should be informed of change that might take place in any organization even if they are generally made at the C-level. Companies that exclude its employees in making significant decisions regarding organizational changes might end up with serious ramifications. The aftermath would be detrimental to the success of an organization. Oppositions from employees is indeed a significant setback that needs to be handled with utmost urgency. Some of the causes of resistance to changes in Walmart are elaborated in the discourse below.
Job Loss
Employees resist changes in their workplaces in case one of them losses a job. It may be as a result of the sacking of one of their colleagues. Such resistance usually takes place as a show of unity among the employees. Every organization experiences small changes from time to time. Some of these changes are generally due to the need for increased revenues, more efficiency and the need for improving employees’ pace at work. All these needs eventually necessitate an organization to bring about changes. Unfortunately, some of these changes result in the loss of one or many jobs, making it the leading causal agent of job loss.
Poor Engagement and Communication
Most people do not understand that effective communication solves all professional ills. On the flipside, inadequate or lack of it also leads to problems. Therefore, the manner in which changes are introduced to employees determines the way in which they will respond. For instance, if the management at Walmart wants its employees to embrace change, it should take into consideration the method in which they introduce the changes, the results that the changes would bring and finally the things that need to be changed in an organization (Lawrence, 2018) . If the human resource department considers all these factors, then resistance from staff would be very minimal. A backlash should be expected when employees are not consulted since they would feel like the organization has used them.
Fear of the Unknown
It is very likely for employees to feel dejected and oppose any slight change in a company when they have deep-seated fears. Such is usually the case when they work in an organization that continually experiences constant bouts of uncertainty. Employees subjected to such a work environment will always be surprised if the subject of change is brought up in an organization. The situation will be worsened because of the sudden and unexpected communication found them off-guard.
Plan for Minimizing Resistance at Walmart
Overcome Opposition
It has been proven time and again that there will always be opposition to change in any organization despite the manner in which it is effected. Walmart should still expect resistance, however slight, in their entity any time they introduce changes. Therefore, organizations should take it upon themselves to carefully and extensively engage those who oppose change. Doing so will enable them to employ the right strategies for resisting the resistance by addressing their concerns. The human resource department will be able to breathe a sigh of relief when they consult with their staff in the process of bringing changes. They will be assured of less or no upheaval from their employees since the latter will feel cared for and valued by the organization.
The management should make it their priority to communicate when they are conveying information to staff members. Both the general employees and the C-suite should continuously communicate and discuss pertinent issues facing the organization. Some of the matters they can consider are the organizations' plans as well as the day to day operations of the business (Rupert, 2017) . Regarding the above disclosure, Walmart’s management should always ensure that they are straightforth and truthful when they communicate future changes to their employees especially if they are significant. Another communication strategy that Walmart can utilize in its quest to minimize resistance is to use company-wide emails and intranets. It is a strategy that gives employees a chance to stay informed by asking burning questions.
In so doing, they should not forget to give a valid reason as to why they are making the changes. This will give the staff an opportune opportunity to be part of the change. Employees will forthwith be able to notice the benefits they will accrue by being part of the difference. They will no longer have a narrow view of the events that will come into play after the changes are affected. Indeed, companies are carrying out improvements and innovation by the day whereby they infuse new ways of conducting business. All these changes are geared towards improving the image of the company and streamlining its day to day operations. The various methods of enhancing an office setting will automatically affect the employees’ view of the way in which they look at change.
Engage Employees Effectively
Another way that human resource management at Walmart can minimize possible resistance is by listening to the members of staff and then responding to their feedback within the right timeframe. Indeed, the members of a team are the ones who ensure that clients' needs are met hence retaining them. Therefore, the need to keep employees in the loop cannot be underestimated. In the process of ensuring that they do not resist communication, management can act by asking them probing questions: what they can do to make them feel better, whether the change is working or whether the implemented changes are working. Walmart management should take measures that will ensure the utilization and reading of feedback if they expect to see any reasonable difference in the organization (PROSCI, 2018) .
Recommendation
One strategy that can be used by Walmart is implementing change in various stages. Organizations should understand that evolution cannot take place immediately. It is a gradual process that can take an extended period especially if the right measures are not accepted. For instance, Walmart can start by taking the appropriate action on the change then make plans that will manage the transition. Lastly, they will need to support the proposed amendment and ensure it goes on well as was planned.
Conclusion
Walmart is one company that has undergone tremendous changes since Sam Walton established it. They have had to make changes to keep up with the stiff competition. Slight changes like switching a human resource team can have multiple ripple effects. Indeed, not only does evolution need to be handled expertly but also responsibly because if done incorrectly, a company can suffer great loss; such failure may render the mission and vision of the company a pipe dream.
References
Aristides Isidoro Ferreira, C. C. (2018). The mediating effects of ego-resilience in the relationship between organizational support and resistance to change. Baltic Journal of Management , 53-62.
Lawrence, P. (2018). How to Deal With Resistance to Change. Harvard Business School Publishing , 78-96.
Paycor. (2016). Overcoming Employee Resistance to Change in the Workplace. Paycor , 12-23.
PROSCI. (2018). FIVE TIPS FOR MANAGING RESISTANCE. PROSCI , 121-134.
Rupert, J. V. (2017). Change agent's contribution to recipients' resistance to change: A two-sided story. European Management Journal , 21-28.
