Shiny new tech can be exciting! It promises increased efficiency, happier employees, and a competitive edge. It’s also necessary to stay competitive in today’s technology-driven business world. But that promise can become a financial nightmare if you neglect two essential things: employee technology training and change management.
You can lose money simply because employees can’t use their technology.
When employees have trouble using their business tools, productivity drops, mistakes can be made, and customer service can suffer. Read on for common staff technology issues and solutions!
Lack of Technology Training
Imagine investing in a top-of-the-line CRM system, but your sales team flounders instead of excelling. You expected the CRM to make their jobs more accessible, but they can’t find key features, struggle with data entry, and miss deadlines.
Why? Because they haven’t been trained correctly for the new software. This scenario plays out in countless businesses and leads to the following costs.
Lost Productivity
Employees fumbling with unfamiliar tech lose valuable work time. Imagine the lost sales opportunities if your team can’t process orders or can’t generate reports due to inadequate training on the new CRM.
Costly Errors
Confusion and frustration lead to mistakes, with inaccurate data entered into the new system requiring time and money to fix. This impacts budgets and potentially damages client relationships.
Demotivation and Resistance
Struggling with a new system is demoralizing. Untrained employees might resist using it altogether and cling to outdated (but familiar) methods. This hinders adoption and negates the benefits of the new tech.
Failing to Manage the Change
New technology disrupts workflows and employees feel overwhelmed and insecure without proper change management. Change management looks at the “human” side of change. It’s about helping employees understand why things are changing and providing training, support, and other engagement – the goal is to help them transition successfully.
Organizations using change management are 67% more likely to achieve desired project outcomes.
When companies neglect change management, the following can happen.
Low Morale
Change can be stressful. Employees can feel lost and undervalued, primarily due to a lack of clear communication and support during the transition. This can lead to low morale and a negative work environment.
Shadow IT
Employees may feel the new system isn’t meeting their needs, which can lead them to resort to using unauthorized tools (shadow IT). This creates security risks and undermines the investment in the new technology.
Resistance to Future Improvements
A negative experience with a tech rollout can make employees wary of future changes. This can hinder innovation and make it difficult for the company to adapt to evolving market trends. Without change management, employees tend to get “change fatigue, ” which can make them less productive.
Building a Bridge to Success
Effective training and change management are key to unlocking the true value of new technology. Here’s how to avoid negative costs and get the full benefits from your tech.
Invest in Comprehensive Technology Training
Don’t treat technology training as an afterthought. Yes, some tools say they’re easy to use, but people have different tech literacy levels. Some may pick up things quickly, and many don’t, but there’s no replacement for targeted training on a business application.
Develop a tailored training program that goes beyond basic features, including video tutorials, hands-on workshops, and ongoing support resources. This will help everyone feel comfortable using the new tools.
Focus on User Adoption, Not Just Features
Training shouldn’t just explain how the software works. It should focus on how the new system will benefit employees in their daily tasks and improve workflow efficiency. The tech’s full benefits will not be realized if employees don’t adopt it well.
Embrace Change Management
Communicate the “why” behind the change. Explain how the new technology will make everyone’s jobs easier and ultimately benefit the company as a whole. Encourage open communication and address concerns throughout the transition.
The Takeaway
New technology is a powerful tool, but it’s only as valuable as its users. Prioritize employee training and change management to help bridge the gap between a shiny new system and a real return on investment.
Happy, well-trained employees using the right tools are your secret weapon. They can help you maximize efficiency, boost morale, and stay ahead of the curve. Don’t let a lack of training turn your tech upgrade into a financial drain.
Need Help With Technology Training?
Most technology transformations aim to improve efficiency and productivity. We can help you meet your tech goals with staff training, tailoring training and support to your needs, and helping your team excel with new and existing tools.
Are you ready to discuss a tailored tech training plan for your staff?
Contact us today to learn more!
