Most people are familiar with the frustrations and setbacks that often come with new technology. But it’s not like there is any way to avoid them. Old technology can quickly hamper your employees’ efforts, leave your business open to cybersecurity threats, and stifle your opportunities to grow.
So, which approach should you take toward managing your IT assets and the expertise needed to use and maintain them?
While the benefits of modern technology in the workplace aren’t debatable, a poorly executed migration to new systems can be almost as bad as sticking with dated and unsupported technology. The challenge lies in continually ensuring that employees are trained to use all the technological solutions that your business uses, and that means having a robust and engaging onboarding strategy for new and existing staff.
Select the Right Systems
Implementing a new system can be a daunting task, and chances are that there will be people among your team who need extensive training, and others who don’t need any at all. That’s why successful training starts with choosing the right products and services in the first place.
By getting your employees involved in the decision-making process, they’ll be empowered by knowing the benefits of the new system before formal training even begins.
There are many ways to get your employees involved in new technology, such as by letting them attend live demonstrations or by giving them access to trial programs and other materials.
The idea is to encourage buy-in before you’ve even made a final decision. However, if you’re running a larger company, you’ll also want to someone to represent the new product or service in question so that your employees have someone to turn to for help and advice.
Focus on What’s Important
Did you know that most software features are never even used? It’s so common that there’s even a word for it: shelfware.
Consider, for example, all the bloat that often comes with many mainstream applications such as Office and even Windows itself. Chances are, almost every program you’ve ever used has one or more features that you’ve never even heard of.
There’s absolutely no point in wasting resources to train your employees to use features that they’re never going to need for their jobs.
While shelfware might be inevitable in software designed for widespread adoption, you shouldn’t let it bog you down. That’s why every staff training program should be goal-driven and align perfectly with the unique needs of your business and its workplace routines.
Make It a Team Effort
Oftentimes, employees have one of two responses when managers tell them that it’s time for a new training program.
On the one hand, they might see it as a perfect excuse to sit around doing nothing much else other than drink coffee. On the other hand, they may see it as a huge burden that has them spending extra hours at work. Of course, both scenarios are something you want to avoid.
Onboarding both new and existing employees with new technology shouldn’t have to be a tedious process, but at the same time it needs to be taken seriously. An effective training program is all about clear communication, listening to employee feedback, and taking a hands-on approach. It should be a team effort with the right audience whereby people are empowered by having an influential voice of their own.
Migrating to new technology can make or break workplace productivity, but being stuck in the past will severely limit your organization’s potential to grow. That’s why it’s important to have the support you need when you need it. By partnering with us, you can access a team of Microsoft-certified professionals who can resolve issues quickly and make your technology work for you. Call Truewater today to learn more.
