Meet Project Manager and Change Management Consultant Rob Maeyaert
Meet Rob Maeyaert, Project Manager and Change Management Consultant at Stoneridge Software. With organizational change management being an integral part of successful projects, he works to conduct change management sessions, assessing current change practices in each department to help clients ensure they are maximizing their investment in technology solutions through effective change strategies. Rob is adept at planning, communicating, and bringing everyone along in the process. He has served in many project management roles across several industries including construction, insurance, and technology, and is a Certified Scrum Master and Project Management Professional (PMP). Learn more about Rob and change management in this Q & A.
1) How would you define a Change Management Consultant?
There are a lot of moving parts in big projects, changes are being made not only to business systems but also job responsibilities. All of this can take an emotional toll on people and the company culture. It's so important to make sure everyone understands what's happening and get everyone moving in the same direction. I work with organizations to focus solely on making the process easier and ensuring the adoption of new practices or technologies is a more natural, fluid, and integral part of their business.
2) What does a typical day of the week look like for you?
Typical activities for me are conducting change management sessions, which include different exercises with multiple departments and assessing what the current change process is (if there is one) assessing what level they are at and where there are gaps and then developing a plan to apply our proven project methods to help drive success. Tasks include planning, communication, training, and overall bringing everyone along in the process. My role is really to help clients ensure they are maximizing their investment in technology through effective change adoption strategies.
3) Why is this role important to a client project?
As the saying goes, “change is the only constant in life”. Organizations need to keep evolving otherwise they will be left behind. Developing sound change management practices organization-wide will ensure businesses can keep up with the rapid pace of the change around them. The Change Management Consultant helps to ensure that these best practices are not just a one-time thing, but they become part of a business’ culture.
4) What do you find rewarding about Change Management?
What's rewarding is how integral and critical it is to the success of everything being done across an organization. Every company is at a different place in their maturity and every company can become more effective in leading with change management in everything they do.
5) What is one piece of advice you’d give to leadership at a company that is embarking on a Business Software implementation?
Never underestimate the cultural shift and transformation that needs to take place. It will happen whether or not you prepare for it and are proactive or reactive. It may be tough to measure the intangible benefit of proactively driving change management but you will feel the impact when best practices are adopted everywhere.
6) What is one piece of advice you’d give to employees at a company going through a Business Software Implementation?
Approach everything with an open mind. Change will never be comfortable. But you are in the driver’s seat to having a profound impact on your company’s trajectory.
7) Where’s the coolest place you’ve ever traveled & why?
Spending time in the Appalachian Mountains in Maine. I love the solitude.
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