Using Kotter's 8-Step Approach in an Organization

Abstract

“Change is the only thing in this world which is constant.” - Greek philosopher,

Heraclitus.

This perception about change is still the same as it was before more than 2,000 years, and we are living in a globe where the change is a common thing especially in the context of business. New initiatives in the field of businesses such as technological improvements, project-based working, and staying competent in the industry come up for driving ongoing changes to the manner we are required to do work. Whether there is a need to consider a minor change to one or two processes, or a complete system-wide transformation to an organization, it is usual to feel intimidated and inconvenient by the degree of the challenge. In an organization, for successfully reacting to the windows of prospect, growth; innovation; culture; technology; cost structure; and a new approach of change leadership along with the focus is needed (Choi, 2006). There are numerous theories for managing change in an organization and elaborates clearly that how the change could be implemented in any corporation. But, the one theory that will discuss here for this research paper is the Kotter's 8 step change model.

Keywords: transitioning, transformation, vision, corporate culture, coalition, communication.

Diagnosis for the need of Change in an Organization by Using Kotter's 8-Step Approach

Introduction

In the fast moving business environment of today's time is looking for the continuous pace of change as this is the only way to embrace the emerging market competitions welcomingly. Change is significant for a business organization as without change, businesses would probably lose their competitive perimeters and fail in meeting the needs or requirements of its loyal customers. The organization which has been chosen for this paper for the diagnosis of the need for change is “Wal-Mart”, which is the biggest departmental store in the United States. On this organization, the Kottler's 8 step approaches for change will be utilized in order to transform the organization towards a more successful perspective.

Company Overview

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., usually known as Wal-Mart, is a multinational retailing corporation of America that executes chains of huge discount warehouse and departmental stores. The corporation is well-recognized as the 3rd largest public corporation of the world, and the biggest private company of the world with more than 2 million workforces, as well as the biggest world retailer. Wal-Mart has around 8,500 stores under 55 distinctive names in fifteen countries of the world. The corporation performs its operations under the brand name of Wal-Mart in the U.S., inclusive of the 50 states and Puerto Rico. It also performs its business operations outside the United States in countries like Mexico, United Kingdom, Japan, India, Canada, Brazil, and Argentina (Matthew & Mark, 2006).

The business operations of Wal-Mart are organized mainly into three different divisions, which are Wal-Mart International, Wal-Mart Stores U.S., and Sam's Club. The corporation in involved in businesses in nine distinctive formats of retailing such as: super-centers, cash and carry stores, food and drugs, apparel stores, ...