Change may be constant, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy. How well does your team handle change in the workplace? Here’s what The Creative Group and AIGA discovered in a survey of more than 750 creative professionals.

1. © 2015 The Creative Group. A Robert Half Company. An Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/Disability/Vet.
The Creative Group survey of more than 750 in-house AIGA members nationwide.
TOUGHEST
ON TEAMS?
© 2015 The Creative Group. A Robert Half Company. An Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/Disability/Vet.
TOUGHEST
ON TEAMS?
WHICH TYPE OF CHANGE IS
Change can be gradual or abrupt, dramatic or subtle. It happens in good times
and bad, whether we’re prepared for it or not. How well does your team
handle change in the workplace? Here’s what The Creative Group and AIGA
discovered in a survey of more than 750 creative professionals nationwide.
WHICH TYPE OF CHANGE IS

2. © 2015 The Creative Group. A Robert Half Company. An Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/Disability/Vet.
The Creative Group survey of more than 750 in-house AIGA members nationwide.
TEAMS HAVE THE HARDEST TIME ADAPTING TO:
1 Changes in internal processes and
procedures (e.g., new approval process)
Very easy 7% | Easy 42% | Challenging 41% | Very challenging 10%
2 Changes in staffing
(e.g., new coworkers, restructuring)
Very easy 9% | Easy 43% | Challenging 38% | Very challenging 10%
1% Too many risks are taken that
result in a negative outcome
28% We take the right
amount of risks
3Changes in business direction
(e.g., new products, services, messaging)
Very easy 16% | Easy 47% | Challenging 32% | Very challenging 5%
45% We do some risk-taking,
but not enough
26% We play it much too safe
4Changes in technology
(e.g., new design software)
Very easy 18% | Easy 56% | Challenging 22% | Very challenging 4%

3. © 2015 The Creative Group. A Robert Half Company. An Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/Disability/Vet.
The Creative Group survey of more than 750 in-house AIGA members nationwide.
CHANGE ISN’T ALWAYS EASY
1% Too many risks are taken that
result in a negative outcome
28% We take the right
amount of risks
45% We do some risk-taking,
but not enough
26% We play it much too safe
Less than half (45%) of creative
professionals believe change at their
organization is carefully considered
and well planned.
Only half of creative professionals
say they receive adequate training
and information to keep up with
changes in the industry.
While 47% of creative professionals
feel employees are involved in
planning and implementing change,
the other 53% disagree.
About two-thirds (64%) of creative
professionals feel their leadership
team is open to different ideas and
opinions.

4. © 2015 The Creative Group. A Robert Half Company. An Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/Disability/Vet.
The Creative Group survey of more than 750 in-house AIGA members nationwide.
5 Help staff adjust faster and
with less anxiety using the
following strategies
5
© 2015 The Creative Group. A Robert Half Company. An Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/Disability/Vet.
TIPS FOR NAVIGATING
CORPORATE CHANGE

5. © 2015 The Creative Group. A Robert Half Company. An Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/Disability/Vet.
The Creative Group survey of more than 750 in-house AIGA members nationwide.
EXPLAIN THE CHANGES1Explain the impact of impending changes on
individual team members and the whole group.
Help your team integrate new priorities and
additional responsibilities to minimize anxiety
and stress.

6. © 2015 The Creative Group. A Robert Half Company. An Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/Disability/Vet.
The Creative Group survey of more than 750 in-house AIGA members nationwide.
INVOLVE YOUR TEAM2 Give your team an opportunity to talk about how
they’ll handle the changes.
Use brainstorming sessions to spark dialogue
and foster collaboration.

7. © 2015 The Creative Group. A Robert Half Company. An Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/Disability/Vet.
The Creative Group survey of more than 750 in-house AIGA members nationwide.
GET ORGANIZED3 Encourage your team to make full use of project
management software and other organizational
tools to handle competing assignments and
deadlines.

8. © 2015 The Creative Group. A Robert Half Company. An Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/Disability/Vet.
The Creative Group survey of more than 750 in-house AIGA members nationwide.
PROVIDE ONGOING
SUPPORT4 Ensure your team has adequate resources to
take on new duties.
Offer additional training to prevent “trial-by-fire”
pressure.
Bring in freelancers to help with projects as
your staff gets up to speed.

9. © 2015 The Creative Group. A Robert Half Company. An Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/Disability/Vet.
The Creative Group survey of more than 750 in-house AIGA members nationwide.
RUN INTERFERENCE5 Be an intermediary for your team and clients
when necessary.

10. © 2015 The Creative Group. A Robert Half Company. An Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/Disability/Vet.
The Creative Group survey of more than 750 in-house AIGA members nationwide.
You can find additional information about
Creative Team of the Future,
including our latest survey data and
expert interviews, on the TCG Blog.