Change Ringing: Real Change Requires Continuous Learning! - Softcover

Bracken Ph.D., William

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1552123529 ISBN 13: 9781552123522

Publisher: Trafford Publishing, 2006

Synopsis

Change Ringing is full of thought-provoking messages that are useful for Change Leaders when implementing system-level changes

About this title

About the Author

William Bracken, Ph.D. is Vice President Technology and Operations of Mitsubishi Electric Detroit. Dr. Bracken has over 25 years of automotive industry experience that includes employment at Ford Motor Company (1973 to 1983), Kelsey Hayes (1983 to 1992) and Mitsubishi Electric (1992 to the present).

During his career, he has held numerous positions in Engineering and Quality involving transmissions, brakes, sensors and research and development.

He has authored numerous SAE papers and received several Quality Engineering Certifications as well as holds a patent. He holds degrees in Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor) and Business (Masters and Doctorate). Contact William at 734-455-6479 or email bbracken@meaa.mea.com

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

INTRODUCTION

Why Another Book Dealing with Change Management

Implementing change is a topic that has received considerable attention in the process during the past few years. My interest in the topic of change was intensified when I was assigned the task of implementing a total business quality system. During each phase of the project, I found that each article or book that I read provided some new information, or at the very least a variation on some previously acquired information that had not been considered.

The project resulted in the implementation of a new business quality system that required ongoing maintenance and refinements. Both the implementation and the continuation of the system have required changes in thinking, structure, assignments and workloads. These changes were implemented with great difficulty and have required continuous improvement accompanied by continuous difficulty.

My experience, reading and reflection taught me that a Change Leader must be prepared to guide organizational change by emphasizing personal growth for himself/herself and other members of the organization. The development of suitable reactions to the changes that influence both business and personal life requires that a leader thoughtfully explore multiple subjects and assimilate the information into a cohesive structure. Both business and personal development are mentioned because implementing change involves people and their capacity for change is influenced by their knowledge in their particular field of business and their personal opinions, beliefs, prejudices and conduct.

I found that personal and business development requires the review and analysis of available literature, particularly in those specific technological areas relevant to your career. However, I also discovered that the success of your career is not based solely on your technological powers, but rather is more dependant on your ability to understand and cope with the change of technology or business process and the influence on individuals.

The problem then is, not how to implement change but, "How do we as individuals understand people, cultures, business, and technology to develop a business structure to prepare for change?" Specifically, significant business operation changes required by new customer standards, requires leadership that is skilled in multiple disciplines. This is particularly true when an individual works in a bi-cultural environment, such as I do. Real change begins with ourselves.

I previously mentioned that I have been involved in implementing change during my career. My recent experience was the most comprehensive because I was required to lead a transformation of an organization. The transformation involved a change from a small organization, organized on an ad-hoc basis, to a structured, continuously improving organization, which is independently certified and is required to maintain certification as judged by independent auditors. I possessed adequate knowledge of the standards, quality tools, statistics and operations to initiate change; but I experience resistance to change that substantially slowed the transformation.

Edition details

• Publisher: Trafford Publishing
• Publication date: 2006
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1552123529
• ISBN 13: 9781552123522
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 190