WHY IS CHANGE SO HARD?

This blog could be for anything, but I am looking through the eyes of Blue Ocean Solids.?As we have spent time and money attending numerous Healthcare, Higher Education, Facilities, K-12 and Commercial Buildings trade shows and presentations, I cannot tell you how many times when a decision maker leaves our booth or presentation after learning about solid water treatment they say “this is a no brainer”.?Why, then, is change so hard?

As I look at the reasons humans can be hesitant to change, I found many which are rooted in both psychological and sociological factors. Here are some of the key reasons for the resistance to change followed by my insights on how Blue Ocean can help change your facility to become safer, and more sustainable, while increasing profitability!

1. COMFORT AND FAMILIARITY: Humans tend to prefer what is familiar and comfortable because it provides a sense of security and stability. Change often involves stepping into the unknown, which can be intimidating and uncertain.?

Blue Ocean Solids is the same exact chemistry just in a different form.?Think of Tide liquid vs. Tide pods or Pepto liquid vs Pepto tablets.?Then, once Blue Ocean products are dissolved on site, the comfort and familiarity of liquid treatment is restored. This liquid is applied with the same equipment without the need of caustic soda to keep the raw material in solution. ?This non-hazardous, liquid form eliminates risk for the operator, water treatment service provider, shipping department, delivery persons and visitors of exposure to hazardous spills or splashes and other common injuries related to working with a 500+ lb. drum of hazardous liquid.

2. FEAR OF THE UNKNOWN: The uncertainty that comes with change can trigger fear and anxiety. Humans are wired to avoid potential threats, and any change, even if it's positive, can be perceived as a threat to the familiar status quo.?

Blue Ocean only works with the best of the best in water treatment. These water treatment providers were early adopters of solids and are experts in all things water treatment.?Their expertise includes chemistry, equipment, water management plans, legionella remediation, filtration, wastewater, and new technology that makes reporting and troubleshooting 24/7 instead of just on the weekly or monthly visits.

3. COGNITIVE BIASES: Humans are subject to various cognitive biases, such as the status quo bias and confirmation bias. These biases can lead people to favor the existing state of affairs and reject or downplay information that challenges their current beliefs and behaviors.

Blue Ocean Solids works very hard on ways to share information. Education is key to changing the existing quo bias.?The first step is to accept a free survey. Have an expert put another set of eyes without any commitment to change.?This survey allows for the facility to become aware of any issues that may have been overlooked, they did not know about or just a better way to do something.?We never demand solids to be used in every account.?All our water treatment partners have a full line of liquids and will make recommendations that are best for the facility.?

4. LOSS AVERSION: People tend to place greater value on avoiding losses than acquiring gains. Change often involves the possibility of losing something (even if it's not certain), and this fear of loss can deter individuals from embracing change.?

This is a big objection.?In the 1960’s our industry discovered a much better way to apply all the raw materials needed to protect mild steel, stainless, yellow metal, and systems in whole, plus protect against scale and/or corrosion.?Raise the pH to 14 or below 2 and all the raws would stay in solution in a single drum instead of 5-7 different powders or liquids.?Ease of use was changed for the better and for the past 60 years, water treatment has been done with liquid chemistry.?Talk about fear of change.??Solids water treatment has been around for 25 years and started an incredible growth around 2011-12.?For the last decade solids has been growing exponentially due to the courage of the innovators and early adopters.?We are now getting into the early majority of the adoption graph which is why Blue Ocean continues to push education to end-users.

5. EMOTIONAL ATTACHMENT: Humans can become emotionally attached to certain habits, routines, and ways of life. Letting go of these attachments can be emotionally challenging, even if the change is for the better.

This really applies to our industry.?I do the same thing.?I get up early every Saturday morning drink a diet coke and sit on the back porch with my dog and read the news.?It does not feel right when I do not get to start the day the same way. (unless it is early tee time!)

We see account reps and management that have been doing traditional hazardous liquids for over 30-40 years in the field.?They are training the new generation to treat with liquids as well and are reluctant to give solids a chance.?This changes when they lose business to a competitor or when we open the door for a rep because the end-users say, “Why have I not heard of this??I want a survey.”

6. SOCIAL PRESSURESSociety and peer groups play a significant role in shaping human behavior. Fear of judgment, criticism, or social exclusion can lead people to resist changing their behavior, as they want to fit in and be accepted by others.

Climate change has been on a roller coaster ride when it comes to acceptance.?Pull out of the Paris agreement, get back in, and the “we are still in” movement which includes 9.46 trillion in GDP of US companies committed.

Now this is a feather in your cap to change something you are already doing to a safer, more sustainable form. The change to Blue Ocean is an easy way to help management with their sustainable initiatives like LED, Solar, charging stations, or low flow faucets.?This change can also remove metric tons of carbon from the facility.

7. HABIT FORMATION: Over time, behaviors become ingrained as habits, making them automatic and hard to break. Changing deeply ingrained habits requires considerable effort and persistence.

Blue Ocean is willing to put the effort and persistence needed. (Have you ever met Kathleen Collier??She embodies effort and persistence with a passion for doing the right thing.)

8. LACK OF MOTIVATION: Sometimes, individuals may lack the motivation to change because they don't see a compelling reason to do so or they underestimate the potential benefits of change.

Blue Ocean has the case studies, experts, and growing number of solids users to offer the compelling reason to change.

9. SELF-DOUBT AND SELF-EFFICACY: People may doubt their ability to successfully adapt to new behaviors or situations, leading them to avoid change to protect their self-esteem.?Human nature.?

As we discussed, we use the best of best in our industry to not only protect your self-esteem but make you the hero to all layers of an organization.

?An EHS manager will thank you for eliminating hazardous materials from the facility and reducing risk and liability. A sustainability director will thank you for contributing to the reduction of the facility’s carbon footprint. A plant manager or operation manager will thank you for eliminating down time and training to replace an injured employee or a PR nightmare if a hazardous spill occurs at any point during the transportation or delivery of the hazardous liquid to the mechanical room.?The CFO will thank you for reducing shipping cost, eliminating the average workman's comp cost of $48,671 from a chemical burn, and addressing the total cost of risk (TCOR).

10. PAST EXPERIENCES: Negative past experiences with change, such as previous failures or traumas related to change, can create psychological barriers to future change.?

Blue Ocean uses the 4th generation of dissolvers which offers a small footprint in cramped mechanical rooms and are extremely dependable.

It's important to recognize that while humans can be hesitant to change, they are also remarkably adaptable. With the right support, understanding, and incentives, individuals can overcome these barriers and embrace positive changes.?Blue Ocean Solids and our network of water treatment service providers are here to help support positive change.