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Technically Speaking
BY FRED ODE
Editor’s Note: Looking for answers to your tech issues?
Send your construction-related technology questions to heyfred@foundationsoft.com.
Q: I want to install a new accounting/project management software
program, but I have some real concerns.
A colleague of mine told me
he spent thousands of dollars on a
new system as well as many months
devoted to planning and customization.
Despite all that, many employees
were unhappy with the switch
and continue to resist learning the
new software. He knows it’s a good
application, but he feels as though his
employees are sabotaging the investment.
I desperately want to avoid this
kind of outcome. Any suggestions?
Doug
A: First, I want to congratulate
you. Not just for your decision to use
technology to boost your business,
but also for considering your employees’
role in its success. Did you know
that a lack of user buy-in is the No.
1 reason new software purchases fail
today? Failure occurs because:
1) The decision was made without
user input.
2) The wrong software was purchased
(often because there was no user
input).
3) Employees assigned to new technology
refuse to change.
How do you get employees involved
and enthusiastic? It starts well before
the actual purchase. Since many
people will be using the software
daily, don’t limit the planning and
decision making to just a few. When
preparing your needs analysis, get all
users involved; solicit feedback from
everyone on current software issues
and problems as well as their suggestions.
End user buy-in happens naturally
when employees get the sense
that their opinions have been taken
into consideration. Next, once your
software choices are narrowed down,
invite key users to sit in on product
demonstrations so they can ask specific questions and understand how
the system works.
Keep in mind that the real work
starts after the best-fit software
program is chosen. When it comes
time for training, make sure that the
schedule is realistic and the methods
allow for all learning types. Faced
with the prospect of learning a new
(and seemingly complex) software
system while completing their daily
(and long) list of tasks, it’s easy to
see why many employees are less than
eager to take on the challenge.
Above all, owners and managers
must be involved in the entire process
and take an active role in the implementation.
You must communicate to
end users not only how the new system
will make their jobs easier and more
efficient, but also why it will improve
the company’s overall effectiveness
and competitive edge. Employees are
more motivated to learn something
new when they see the project as
worthy of their time and effort. With
the right environment and good communication,
Tony, you should be able
to hurdle the roadblock of user buy-in
rejection.
Fred
Disclaimer: Technically Speaking
reserves the right to change names and
edit questions for privacy, length, and
readability issues.
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