THE NEW PONY EXPRESS

Michael George

University Registrar

The University of Alabama

February 2012

CHANGE

• The changes keep coming. Through them, you can learn, grow and prosper. Look for the possibilities in every change. They’re there, and they’ll take you where you want to go.

• Ralph Marston

LANDSCAPE

• CHANGE DRIVERS– Demographics– Technological Projection– Budgetary Limitations

• NEW DIRECTION– Enhanced services– More efficient operators– Enhanced education

CHANGE DRIVERS

• The “Customer”

• The nature of information & information technology

IMPACTING TECHNOLOGY

• Microelectronics

• Large scale databases

• Telecommunications

TECHNOLOGICAL IMPLICATIONS

• Centralizing records & decentralizing access

• Minimizing copies & maximizing access

• De-emphasizing “push”, emphasizing “pull”

• Selectively disseminating information

• Storing information in natural formal & automating access

TECHNOLOGICAL IMPLICATIONS (CONT)

• Automating repetitive tasks

• Increased involvement with technology for workers & managers

• Increased demand for highly qualified technical personnel

RESISTORS TO CHANGE

• “The land of steady habits.”

• Paranoia - “Fear of Abuse”

• Institutional Arrogance

• Threat to job security

• Threat to power

• Money

LESSONS LEARNED

• Communicate! Communicate! Communicate!

• Success breeds success but don’t strive for perfection

• Know which battles to fight - know other’s agenda

• Cultivate a culture that change is positive

• Be consistent in your message of change

LESSONS LEARNED (CONT)

• Know your supporter

• Collaborate! -- Build a grassroots up base of support.

• Facilitate feedback

• Optimize publicity -- the newspaper, the web, bills, e-mails, posters, bookmarks, magnets, pens, contests

• Survey your peers

LESSONS LEARNED (CONT)

• Have a vision– Challenge the process– Imagine the future– Articulate the future– Enlist others in the vision

EFFECTING CHANGE

• Decide/define the steps needed to implement• Decide/assign responsibility for each activity• Establish Milestones• Scan your environment/anticipate your obstacles• Strategize to defend against/deal with obstacles• Be celebrative