Shyam is a senior manager at a huge wooden furniture manufacturing organisation. He has been with this organisation for the past 30 years. He leads a team of 25 employees in his manufacturing department.
It is observed that the market for the company's goods is growing at a great pace and most of the staff members have effectively met with the changing expectations of the old and new customers and new techniques in manufacturing. However, there is an old worker called Ram, who is unable to keep pace with the others. Ram has been in the organisation for the past 22 years and he has always performed well. He is helpful and has always provided a lot of motivation to everybody working around him. The company also considers Ram as extremely dependable and loyal.
However, now that he is nearing retirement with five years more to go in this company; it is observed that Ram has slowed down at his work and shows unwillingness in learning and accepting any new techniques that are a part of the new manufacturing processes at his organisation. Being his manager, Shyam is determined to change this situation for Ram. He wants to motivate Ram by encouraging him to learn all the new manufacturing techniques that the rest of the younger colleagues are learning.
Now, to accomplish this, Ram will have to put in more effort and go an extra mile in terms of time and effort; unlike the majority of the younger employees, in learning these techniques. Unlike most other trainees with Ram; age is a major barrier and he feels that he would not be able to learn new things. Ram also feels that he is 5 years away from retirement and therefore there is no need to push himself and learn anything beyond his comfort level. Shyam has tried to speak to Ram and convince him but Ram is rigid in welcoming any changes.
Question:
A) As a manager, how would you understand Ram’s position to resist change?
B) How will you identify the need of imparting special training to Ram to match the organisation’s requirements? What can be done to fetch Ram’s interest in the new learning techniques within the manufacturing unit?