Restructures are an inevitable part of organizational life because of the needs to respond to changing external circumstances. Client needs develop, input costs change, technology poses opportunities and threats and regulatory environments change. All of this and more can generate restructuring activity.

Whilst restructures can breath new life into an organization, they are also fraught with risks:

• Key tasks and activities which were performed under the old structure can get “lost between the cracks’;
• Staff and middle management may become disengaged, disappointed and even angry;
• Customer service levels can deteriorate during (and even after) the change period;
• Sales can be impacted due to staff distraction and disempowerement.

So, effective restructures need to be carefully planned. To do so the programme of work must seek to address the following questions:

• How will the new processes operate under a different structure?
• Will the tasks that are done change in the restructured environment?
• How will staff be engaged and their concerns addressed?
• How will customer communication occur?
• What are the key risks to the business during and after transition?

Having an experienced partner during a restructure can save an enormous amount of post-implementation pain. The investment in both methods and experience can ensure you get your return without a significant deterioration in business performance.

The Bevington Group have the right experience and methods to ensure that your restructure works.