Adaptability means survival, much like it does in nature. For a business to be adaptable, its workforce must concomitantly be able to adapt to change in the marketplace and customer demand. A company is only as strong as the ability of all its employees to meet its customers' expectations. This is particularly so when a company needs to make changes to its operations in order to accommodate a changing market.
Change creates worker stress for a number of reasons. It could for example create insecurity, as workers are not sure whether their jobs will survive the change, particularly in the current economic climate. Indeed, the economic climate has forced many companies to downsize, and any type of change may be construed as an attempt to follow suit. Secondly, change automatically creates uncertainty, as human beings tend to react badly to any removal from their "comfort" zone....
In order to ensure employee adaptability, the most important thing that companies can do is to keep communication channels open.
Employees should feel that they are both important and informed at all times. Management needs to communicate to employees that they are valued for the various types of work that they do. They should also be informed regarding the change and the reasons for change occurring in the company. In this way, employees are assured of both their value and the security of their jobs.
Employees can also be included in the necessary changes by soliciting suggestions on how to adapt to the changing economic environment. This will further provide employees with a sense of security, value and proactive choice with regard to their employment situation. Ultimately, both productivity and adaptability are improved to the benefit of the company.
