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Managers need to receive some training so that they become better equipped to address the needs of the survivors. Managers and leaders need to be able to clearly explain the situation to their employees and keep them motivated. The employees who remain are clearly important to the success of a downsizing effort, and therefore, should be taken care of. By that I mean they need to understand management’s new vision. They need to understand why they are going in a new direction with regards to financial goals and its competitive environment. Just because management understands and is geared up for the new challenges, doesn’t mean that employees are.
When they are, they continue to have faith in their employer even when the economy is down. They just want to be aware of what is going on and understand the problem. In some cases, they may even be able to help management effectively address the problem. In any case, being informed will make employees feel like management cares about its workforce. Surviving employees shouldn’t feel like they are being overlooked while the people being let go are getting all the attention. This is when the survivors decide to be SOBBOs or HOBBOs, so it’s up to management to push them in the right direction.
It is also important for managers at this time to actively attempt to identify and reduce redundant tasks so that energy can be devoted to the tasks that are truly significant. If need be, job training should be provided so that the survivors are better equipped to deal with their increased workload. Although they are fortunate to still have their job, that is not enough, extra steps need to be taken to make them feel secure again.
Once the downsizing has taken place, and who is there is staying, managers can’t fall into the trap of feeling that it is now time to “get back to business as usual.” Ample time needs to be given to get used to the new environment that has been created for the organization. It also provides an opportunity for management to make employees aware of the new opportunities available and to ensure them that this was a change for the better.
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