Started a new job - how soon is too soon to make changes?

I mean, it DOES matter, if she doesn't want a resentful, hostile work force. Change is necessary, but there's a much better way to go about it than this if you want to be an effective leader in a company. You can make uncomfortable changes without alienating the staff you need to help do the job. 

I think it's really a little of both. There are certain things that might not be able to wait especially when it comes to finance. Those things should be changed immediately if they are really poor practices and may result in financial loss or potential penalties/fines. Other things that can wait can be hashed out in a department meeting with input from those who actually do the work.

THat is less obvious than you think. Sometimes very qualified people don't apply for a move up when they know the chaos is from above and not actually within the department.  Business owners and CEO types can make policy that a mid level manager can't alter even though she has been told to do it.

Before making changes a wise manager will find out what isn't working and why before hauling off and just making changes.

From reading this thread I can tell who has never worked a professional job, or is the dicator manager that gets a lot of hate. People in financial offices generally have educations and job skills that make it much easier for them to walk off one job and into another one. Or she can end up with a team that is routinely undermining her. You can't treat professionals like they are a bunch of brainless highschool kids.

Awww, thanks 

For me, go in with one small change at a time. My approach would be to sit with each person. Ask them for their process manual, then ask them to walk you through the main points of their job. Ask questions, especially about where things are easier or more complicated than documented. “Why do you...”. A lot of times, it is that the procedure tells them to, but the reason may no longer be relevant.

Then pick 2-3 changes. One can be significant, but the other two should be easy. Give those a week or two to settle in, and look for your next opportunity.

I deplore the idea that employees are to be treated like sh*t just because they are employees. How about they are human beings and need to be treated like human beings? Change is hard no matter who you are. No one wants something summarily rammed down their throats. Having things explained, undergoing training, allowing for some input...these are all good things which have been proven to lead to better productivity. Figure out what you want to do first, tell them what you are doing, explain the changes and the reasons for them, then judiciously employ the changes. Some will struggle more than others, but that is something else entirely to deal with when it occurs on a case by case basis. Have a plan to work with that as well. Managing people is a skill as well. Be good at that, and the rest of it will work out.

Coming in as a newbie at the "top of the food chain" is a mine field. Yes you are there to make change.

Some things may need to be changed right now, now questions asked. When I started this job several year ago I found out on the first payday I was there that employee paychecks were placed in their open office mail rack. No envelopes, just the checks. Right out in the open. I implemented a change before the next payday. No questions asked, just did it. I explained why, but did it. Finance Manager had a signature stamp that she kept in an unlocked desk drawer. Several people had access to the check stock and her stamp. Boom! Changed that!

Then there are other changes that may need to be made that are not so "hot button" or are mandates from the owners. If from the owners there should be a discussion and a time line established.

Then I'd call a department meeting and ask each employee to give you a list of 5 things they would like to see changed with a deadline to get their info to you.  I never meet with one employee at a time about department changes.  Changes in their own tasks - yes.  Department wide - no.

Then take a day or two to take in all the information and develop a plan.

Then another department meeting to announce the changes and time line.

This way everyone feels that they got input into the decisions.

Good Luck!

Sounds like you are off to a great start. Your staff now knows you are interested in how this impacts them and willing to hear them. To me that makes the entire world of difference in how I feel about my supervisor.