Meet Christy Renier, Consultant in Change Management

Christy Renier is a change management and communications professional. In March 2016, she left the corporate world to go to work as a change management consultant. In January of this year, she launched Renier Consulting, LLC which is her very own Change Management and Communications consulting business.

Christy is just putting the finishing touches on her new website, so keep an eye on www.renierconsulting.org. You can also learn more about her by visiting her LinkedIn page.

1. What made you decide to leave the corporate world?

There were many factors that went into my decision to leave the corporate world. When I was young, I dreamed of starting my own business some day. My dad was a business owner, so you can say it is in my blood. I also saw how hard he worked his whole life and knew my timing was critical. So, instead of going into business for myself, I went to work for a global Fortune 500 company, knowing that my dream would come true one day. Now, here we are nearly 17 years later, and I've been working with the same Fortune 500 company. Throughout the years I've gained a wide range of global business experience and honed my industry knowledge, so I was feeling confident that if I were on my own, I could deliver expert services with a professional experience for my clients.

Next, I had a fantastic support system:
- a business mentor who encouraged me,
- a family that supported me, and
- a strong professional network.

The time was right; the time was now...!

2. How did you come to focus on change management in your work?

For me, there really was no other choice. Change management is my passion because I care about people. And, at the heart of change management, it is all about people. Over the past 17 years, I've worked in a variety of the "softer sides" of IT which tend to fall under the change category: training, technical documentation, project management, resource management, organizational design, executive communications, and strategic planning.

So, when I combine my passion with my skills and experience, I invoke what I like to call the "trifecta for success." Passion(Skills + Experience) = Trifecta Success. So, choosing my focus was as simple as P(S+E).

3. What exactly does change management mean?

Change management, simply stated, is the act of managing the "people side" of an organizational change. An organizational change is when a company takes action to make an improvement in some way, such as reduce costs, improve revenues, solve problems, align work and strategy, or improve efficiency/effectiveness within the company. People can have a reaction as a result of this change, both internally and externally. Having a robust change management strategy and a rock star change manager on your project team will is improve the likelihood of success and the overall return on investment for the project.

4. Why does communication have such an important role in change management?

The majority of the communications roles I have had over the past 17 years were related to change management activities... and at the heart of every great change management strategy is a solid communications plan. Managing the human side of change is heavily based on communications. It is extremely important for leaders to be authentic and honest when communicating with people who will be impacted by any company changes. Employees should feel respected and well informed every step of the way.

Thanks, Christy!

Meet Ralph Masengill, Author and Advisor

Ralph Masengill is a best selling author of two books, Beat the Curve and Conquer Change and Win. He is a coach and advisor. He is a graduate of The University of Tennessee, and the post graduate of the Edwards Deming program on quality and change. Learn more about him by visiting Masengill.com.

1. How did you get the idea for your book, Conquer Change and Win?

I saw that so many smart, well-rounded, and secure individuals and many of the employees who work for them have no clue about how to change correctly. 90% of the population has no clue about change and its effects that always happen. The same story is true in families as well.

2. What are some common misconceptions that people have about change?

Misconceptions: Change is not constant. Change positive or negative has the same effect on all of us. They generally believe that all change does not cause some form of pain. It does. Many fear change but most do not want to admit it. Do not believe that most of us will not change until the pain of not changing is greater than the pain of changing. Believe that taking a calculated risk is almost like gambling. It is not. With change we will always be asked to take a calculated risk.

3. How does your work in PR influence your work as an author?

I believe it does have a positive effect. The root of a solid public relations expert is understanding people. That is the first thing you must know in order to succeed in PR.

4. What is your advice to people who are facing change that they see as negative yet unavoidable?

There is such a thing as negative change. When you know and understand how change operates in the world, you will also see much of what the majority calls negative pain is in fact positive change in disguise.

5. What else would you like readers to know about you and your work?

Huge change is on the way. No matter who wins the national election in November, we are all going to experience great change over the next two years. How many times has change disrupted your life, left you feeling off-kilter, caused you to miss opportunities or react without thinking? Every one of us is constantly affected by change. Change never stops, and whether it's positive change or not, our first reaction is usually fear. The truly successful people of the world have a good understanding of change and how to make it work to their advantage. My book offers an easy to read and fun approach to this serious topic of change in our lives.

Thanks, Ralph!