1. Becoming A Change Agent Diane Weklar The Weklar Consulting Group

2. © The Weklar Consulting Group 2004 Becoming A Change Agent We all see problems We all see problems At work, in organizations, thru societyAt work, in organizations, thru society We all know there is a better way We all know there is a better way At issue At issue We don’t know how to change itWe don’t know how to change it

3. © The Weklar Consulting Group 2004 Becoming A Change Agent Each one of us can become a change-agent Each one of us can become a change-agent The process is the same The process is the same No matter the size of the problemNo matter the size of the problem A unit at work A unit at work Affecting the whole community Affecting the whole community Changing the world Changing the world

4. © The Weklar Consulting Group 2004 Becoming A Change Agent The Process for “Making Change” The Process for “Making Change” Is simple—though not easyIs simple—though not easy Requires “strategy execution”Requires “strategy execution” The number one requirement to be successful The number one requirement to be successful Quality of Strategy usually ranks 2 ndQuality of Strategy usually ranks 2 nd Resources rank 3rdResources rank 3rd

5. © The Weklar Consulting Group 2004 Becoming A Change Agent The Process for “Making Change” Identifying the issueIdentifying the issue Pinpointing the actual problemPinpointing the actual problem Determining what can be doneDetermining what can be done Establishing the teamEstablishing the team Creating the action planCreating the action plan Monitoring accountabilityMonitoring accountability Making an impactMaking an impact

6. © The Weklar Consulting Group 2004 Becoming A Change Agent Dealing with Impediments Overcoming the preconceived notion of “it can’t be done” Is the largest issue to overcome Both for yourself and others Learn to bypass NOs!Learn to bypass NOs!

7. © The Weklar Consulting Group 2004 Becoming A Change Agent Vision and Perseverance are Key Vision and Perseverance are Key FocusFocus What are you really trying to accomplish What are you really trying to accomplish CompetenceCompetence You need to have/get the skills to get it done You need to have/get the skills to get it done PassionPassion The mystery glue that holds it together The mystery glue that holds it together Provides the extra drive to make it real Provides the extra drive to make it real

8. © The Weklar Consulting Group 2004 Becoming A Change Agent Identifying the Issues My electricity bills are too high!My electricity bills are too high! I thought deregulation would lower my bills I thought deregulation would lower my bills Why do I have to try on tons of clothes to find something that actually fits?Why do I have to try on tons of clothes to find something that actually fits? The internet was supposed to make my life easierThe internet was supposed to make my life easier But I’m inundated with spam and I am terrified of online identity theft But I’m inundated with spam and I am terrified of online identity theft

9. © The Weklar Consulting Group 2004 Becoming A Change Agent Pinpointing the Problem (research) Electricity Electricity ERCOT & the PUC do not include consumers when planning changesERCOT & the PUC do not include consumers when planning changes Clothes Sizing Clothes Sizing Each clothes line has its own sizing with major return problems (up to 40% online)Each clothes line has its own sizing with major return problems (up to 40% online) Internet Internet Does not deal with privacy issuesDoes not deal with privacy issues Difference between security & privacyDifference between security & privacy

10. © The Weklar Consulting Group 2004 Becoming A Change Agent Determining What Can Be Done Lower Electricity Bills Lower Electricity Bills Get consumers involved with ERCOT & PUC actionsGet consumers involved with ERCOT & PUC actions Clothes That Fit Clothes That Fit Develop standardization of fitDevelop standardization of fit Internet Internet Design a method of preserving personal information onlineDesign a method of preserving personal information online

11. © The Weklar Consulting Group 2004 Becoming A Change Agent Establishing The Team You cannot do it Alone You cannot do it Alone Determine the strengths and functions that you need to take the next stepDetermine the strengths and functions that you need to take the next step That complements what you bring to the table That complements what you bring to the table

12. © The Weklar Consulting Group 2004 Becoming A Change Agent Establishing The Team Electricity Electricity DFW Electric Consumer CoalitionDFW Electric Consumer Coalition Clothing Clothing FitLogicFitLogic Internet Internet Privacy, Inc.Privacy, Inc.

13. © The Weklar Consulting Group 2004 Becoming A Change Agent Team Leadership Team Leadership Every team must have a leaderEvery team must have a leader Set the Vision Set the Vision Maintain the Vision Maintain the Vision Be the Motivator Be the Motivator Understand how the ripples of change will affect Understand how the ripples of change will affect The TeamThe Team The environment the team is changingThe environment the team is changing

14. © The Weklar Consulting Group 2004 Becoming A Change Agent Creating the Action Plan DFW Electric Consumer Coalition DFW Electric Consumer Coalition Organize electric consumersOrganize electric consumers Governments, corporations, trade groups Governments, corporations, trade groups FitLogic FitLogic Develop a standardized fit system by age, ethnicity, and product preferencesDevelop a standardized fit system by age, ethnicity, and product preferences Privacy, Inc. Privacy, Inc. Develop virtual email and credit card ability to preserve personal information onlineDevelop virtual email and credit card ability to preserve personal information online Educate public re: differences of security and privacyEducate public re: differences of security and privacy

15. © The Weklar Consulting Group 2004 Becoming A Change Agent Monitoring Accountability Monitoring Accountability Effective Strategy Execution RequiresEffective Strategy Execution Requires Strong Project Management Strong Project Management Assigning responsibility for each activity Assigning responsibility for each activity Timelines need to be establishedTimelines need to be established Good Communication among and between all team members Good Communication among and between all team members Ability to be flexible and “refine” programs when issues become apparent Ability to be flexible and “refine” programs when issues become apparent Continually motivate and focus on Mission Continually motivate and focus on Mission

16. © The Weklar Consulting Group 2004 Becoming A Change Agent Making An Impact Educate, Educate, Educate Educate, Educate, Educate Use all vehicles (networks,media)Use all vehicles (networks,media) Overcoming Objections Overcoming Objections Yes—It can be done!Yes—It can be done! Getting People Involved Getting People Involved You cannot do it aloneYou cannot do it alone

17. © The Weklar Consulting Group 2004 Becoming A Change Agent Making an Impact Making an Impact Understand that change takes timeUnderstand that change takes time More time than you ever imagine More time than you ever imagine You have to share your visionYou have to share your vision Over and Over and Over again Over and Over and Over again The full Team is your “sales force”The full Team is your “sales force” Encourage and motivate the team to take ownership of Mission Encourage and motivate the team to take ownership of Mission

18. © The Weklar Consulting Group 2004 Becoming A Change Agent What You Can Do Today Find your passion Find your passion What problem would you like resolvedWhat problem would you like resolved Find an organization that deals with that issue Find an organization that deals with that issue Volunteer and learn all you canVolunteer and learn all you can Cultivate that “CAN DO” attitude Cultivate that “CAN DO” attitude

19. © The Weklar Consulting Group 2004 Becoming A Change Agent All Change Starts With One Person Make the Next Change come from YOU

20. © The Weklar Consulting Group 2004 Becoming A Change Agent You Don’t Have to be Great To Get Started But You Have to Get Started To Be Great

21. © The Weklar Consulting Group 2004 Becoming A Change Agent Diane Weklar President The Weklar Consulting Group 280 W. Renner Road Suite 3926 Richardson, TX 75080 972.235.3846dweklar@sbcglobal.net