Microsoft’s recent announcement that it would no longer support Windows XP after April 8 caused uproar within the business community. However, there is nothing new about this announcement since, Microsoft had sent out notices as early as a year ago about its decision to retire Windows XP. Even after this announcement, it appears that some businesses will continue to use the operating system-but the question remains, for how long? The companies with big IT budgets might be able to use it for at least another year however the inevitability that they will have to upgrade will sink in sooner or later.
Some consumers and businesses alike have valid reasons for not wanting to upgrade. However, every survey that has ever been conducted on human behaviour all arrive at the same conclusion, human beings without exception, do not like change.
Below is an excerpt from an article titled “Change or Die” by Alan Deutschman on Fast Company. This article speaks to the psychology of change:
“CEOs are supposedly the prime change agents for their companies, but they’re often as resistant to change as anyone — and as prone to backsliding. The most notorious recent example is Michael Eisner. After he nearly died from heart problems, Eisner finally heeded his wife’s plea and brought in a high-profile number-two exec, Michael Ovitz, to alleviate the stress of running Disney. But Eisner proved incapable of seeing through the idea, essentially refusing to share any real power with Ovitz from the start.
The conventional wisdom says that crisis is a powerful motivator for change. But severe heart disease is among the most serious of personal crises, and it doesn’t motivate — at least not nearly enough. Nor does giving people accurate analyses and factual information about their situations. What works? Why, in general, is change so incredibly difficult for people? What is it about how our brains are wired that resists change so tenaciously? Why do we fight even what we know to be in our own vital interests?”
At times, ATS account executives have had conversation with prospective customers who think that the support they are receiving from their current provider is less than stellar. Others, on the other hand, would like to change to a time and attendance solution that closely matches their needs, but elect to stay with what they have. Why? The thought of changing to a new solution, that will help their business streamline their business process, and increase productivity is simply too hard to bear. After all, it means having to change.
