Driving Change – An Exclusive Interview With Lou Vanié On Change Management Strategies
- Brainz Magazine
- Feb 5, 2024
- 8 min read
Lou Vanié is a visionary force in the realm of Organizational Change Management and Development with over 10+ years of international experience spanning multinational corporations, governmental agencies in British Columbia, Canada, non-profit organizations and higher education institutions, across Canada, England, and Ivory Coast. Founder of LSV Coaching, Lou is dedicated to empowering individuals and organizations through tailored services in career development and change management. Her methodology, rooted in facilitation, coaching, and training, serves as a catalyst for transformative growth and sustainable change.
Lou Vanié, Change Management Expert
Introduce yourself! Please tell us about you and your life, so we can get to know you better.
Hello, I'm Lou Vanié, Change Management Expert with a diverse background spanning continents and industries. Originally from Ivory Coast, I laid the foundation of my education there, progressing from primary to high school. However, my quest for knowledge took me to Canada, where I pursued my university education.
For seven enriching years, Montreal became my home, where I delved into the corporate world, contributing my expertise to renowned multinational companies such as Asystem Canada, Atlas Copco Canada, and Energizer Canada. Following this chapter, I embarked on a new journey in Victoria, British Columbia for another 7 years, where I immersed myself in the realms of non-profit organizations, focusing on mental health and rehabilitation services. I also had the privilege of serving the public through roles in the Ministry of Children and Family Development and BC Employment Service Agency within the Province of British Columbia government.
My pursuit of excellence led me to the prestigious Chevening Scholarship program, a transformative experience funded by the UK Government and the Commonwealth. This opportunity granted me a year in England, where I honed my skills further while studying and working for the esteemed University of Manchester.
Now, after living abroad for 15 years, I find myself back in Ivory Coast, my homeland, where I am dedicated to establishing my practice in Change Management. Through coaching, training, and facilitation, I am committed to driving positive transformation within organizations, leveraging my wealth of experience and diverse insights gained from my global journey.
Could you provide a brief overview of LSV Coaching and its core mission? What inspired the establishment of your business?
LSV Coaching is a coaching and consultancy firm committed to unlocking the potential of individuals and organizations through tailored services in career development and change management. Our mission is rooted in facilitating transformative growth and sustainable change, guided by a methodology blending coaching, facilitation, and training.
The inspiration behind LSV Coaching emerged from my personal journey of career exploration and growth. At various points in my own career, I encountered challenges and felt the frustration of being stuck, prompting me to channel my experiences into a solution for others facing similar obstacles. This journey has been one of profound personal transformation, marked by resilience and fortitude in the face of change.
My background in Human Resources management further fueled my dedication to facilitating organizational change and adaptation. Having navigated the complexities of business transformation firsthand, I am intimately familiar with the imperative of effective change management in fostering resilience and sustainability.
At LSV Coaching, we recognize the pivotal role of change management in driving personal and organizational success. Our comprehensive suite of services encompasses tailored solutions designed to guide businesses and individuals through tumultuous times, emerging stronger and more resilient in the face of adversity.
Can you tell us more about Change management? What is it and who can benefit from it?
Change management is a structured approach to transitioning individuals, teams, and organizations from their current state to a desired future state effectively. It involves understanding the need for change, communicating the rationale behind it, and implementing strategies to manage resistance and ensure successful adoption.
At its core, change management acknowledges that change is inevitable in any organization due to factors such as market dynamics, technological advancements, and shifts in consumer preferences. Therefore, it seeks to minimize disruption and maximize the benefits associated with change.
Organizations of all sizes and industries can benefit from implementing change management practices. Whether undergoing a merger, implementing new technology, restructuring operations, or adapting to market trends, change management provides a framework for managing the transition smoothly.
Moreover, individuals within organizations also benefit from change management. It helps employees understand why change is necessary, alleviates fears and uncertainties, and provides support throughout the transition process. By empowering individuals to embrace change and adapt to new ways of working, change management fosters a culture of resilience and innovation within the organization.
Ultimately, the goal of change management is to enable organizations and individuals to thrive in an ever-evolving business environment by effectively navigating and leveraging change as a catalyst for growth and success.
Can you give an example of change management strategy and how it applies to an organization?
Let's consider an example of a change management strategy applied to an organization undergoing a digital transformation:
A mid-sized manufacturing company decides to undergo a digital transformation initiative to streamline its operations, improve efficiency, and stay competitive in the market. This transformation involves implementing new technology systems, digitizing manual processes, and upskilling employees to adapt to the digital tools.
The steps to the change management strategy would consist of:
1. Creating awareness and building buy-in: The organization begins by communicating the vision for digital transformation to all stakeholders, including employees, managers, and executives. This involves highlighting the benefits of the initiative, such as increased productivity, improved decision-making, and enhanced customer experience. Town hall meetings, newsletters, and interactive workshops are used to engage employees and generate buy-in for the changes.
2. Identifying and sddressing resistance: Change management teams actively identify potential sources of resistance within the organization, such as employees who may be resistant to learning new technology or fear job displacement. Strategies are developed to address these concerns, including providing training and support programs, offering incentives for participation, and creating forums for open dialogue to address questions and apprehensions.
3. Empowering employees through training and support: Recognizing that successful digital transformation requires a skilled workforce, the organization invests in comprehensive training programs to equip employees with the knowledge and skills needed to leverage the new technology effectively. This training is tailored to different roles within the organization and includes hands-on workshops, online courses, and peer-to-peer learning opportunities. Additionally, dedicated support resources, such as help desks and online forums, are established to assist employees with troubleshooting and ongoing support.
4. Iterative implementation and feedback loop: The organization adopts an iterative approach to implementing the digital transformation, allowing for continuous feedback and refinement based on user experiences and insights. Regular check-ins, surveys, and focus groups are conducted to gather feedback from employees regarding their experiences with the new technology and processes. This feedback is used to make adjustments, address pain points, and ensure that the transformation aligns with the needs and priorities of the organization.
5. Celebrating successes and recognizing achievements: Throughout the implementation process, the organization celebrates milestones and achievements to acknowledge the hard work and dedication of employees. This may include recognition programs, team celebrations, and showcasing success stories to inspire and motivate others. By celebrating successes, the organization reinforces a culture of innovation, collaboration, and resilience, setting the stage for continued growth and adaptation in the digital age.
Through effective change management strategies, the organization successfully navigates its digital transformation, achieving improved operational efficiency, increased employee engagement, and enhanced competitiveness in the market. Employees feel empowered and supported throughout the process, leading to higher levels of adoption and sustained success in the digital era.
What does your change management service entail?
Our change management services focus on assisting businesses in establishing suitable change management strategies as an integral part of their projects. This encompasses several key components:
1. Setting up change management committee: We assist in forming a dedicated change management committee within the organization, comprising key stakeholders and decision-makers. This committee plays a vital role in driving the change initiative forward, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and facilitating communication across departments.
2. Deploying effective change strategy: We work closely with the change management committee to develop and deploy a robust change management strategy tailored to the specific needs and objectives of the project. This strategy encompasses various elements such as communication plans, stakeholder engagement strategies, training programs, and resistance management approaches.
3. Supporting managers through action learning sessions: We offer support to managers involved in the change process through structured sessions of Action Learning. These sessions provide a platform for managers to collaboratively identify and address the main challenges or resistance points encountered during the change initiative. By leveraging collective insights and experiences, managers can develop practical solutions and action plans to overcome obstacles and drive successful implementation.
Overall, our approach to change management is holistic and proactive, aiming to empower businesses with the tools, strategies, and support needed to navigate change effectively and achieve their desired outcomes.
You mentioned Action Learning sessions. Could you explain what they entail and how they benefit managers in the change management process?
Action Learning sets were developed by Reg Revans, a former Professor of the University of Manchester. In our practice, we typically assemble a group of 8 managers for these sessions. Each manager presents a problem they're facing, and the other 7 participants ask open-ended questions aimed at uncovering actionable solutions. We conduct these sessions in two parts: the first session focuses on identifying potential actions, while the second session serves as a follow-up to review progress on the actions identified previously. This approach fosters collaborative problem-solving, encourages diverse perspectives, and empowers managers to implement effective solutions to the challenges they encounter in the change management process.
Tell us more about your life philosophy and some of the principles you live by?
My life philosophy revolves around resilience, faith, action, and kindness. These principles form the cornerstone of my approach to navigating life's challenges and pursuing personal and professional growth.
Resilience is the ability to bounce back from adversity, to adapt and thrive in the face of change or setbacks. I believe in the power of resilience to overcome obstacles, learn from failures, and emerge stronger and more determined than before. It's about facing challenges head-on, embracing discomfort as an opportunity for growth, and maintaining a positive mindset even in difficult times.
Faith plays a significant role in my life, providing me with a sense of purpose, hope, and guidance. Whether it's faith in oneself, in others, or in a higher power, I have faith in God. It's a source of strength that sustains me through life's uncertainties and inspires me to keep moving forward with courage and conviction.
Action is the catalyst for change and progress. I believe in the power of taking initiative, setting goals, and consistently taking steps towards achieving them. Action transforms dreams into reality, turns challenges into opportunities, and empowers me to make a positive impact in the world around me.
Kindness is about treating others with respect, understanding, and empathy, and striving to make a difference, no matter how small, in the lives of those around me.
I believe in the importance of empathy, compassion, and generosity towards others, regardless of their background or circumstances. Kindness has the power to uplift spirits, forge connections, and create ripple effects of positivity and goodwill in the world.
In essence, my life philosophy is grounded in the belief that resilience, faith, action, and kindness are not only guiding principles but also transformative forces that enable me to navigate life's complexities with courage, purpose, and integrity. They shape my decisions, actions, and interactions, guiding me towards a life filled with meaning, fulfillment, and positive impact.
Thank you for your time Lou. How can our readers connect with you and your services?
