Deploying the right software is a critical part of your shop or company's digital transformation. It can make a massive difference by improving team productivity and, as a bonus, can even promote job satisfaction. Of course, we're all different in how we organize our work, set goals and break up tasks. Apps don't understand these unique tendencies and habits, hoping everyone will fall in line and follow the same system. The resulting limitations can make it challenging to implement new tools that work for all, especially when your team is too busy to stop and change what's sorta/kinda working already.
The key to introducing new software is taking a strategic and empathetic approach. Bring your entire team into the fold on this one to get feedback and ensure nobody feels left out of the planning process. Given the nature of most SaaS products, team members will have little trouble finding something to complain about as it is. And you need their buy-in if your new deployment is going to be successful.
So, to help your team, rather than disrupt their flow, follow this little formula for success.
Identify Pain Points
Start by running a simple process survey to determine what issues your team is experiencing and how a new software tool can help. Common areas that hamper productivity and frustrate employees are duplication of effort, sprawling project management processes, workarounds, and reports that never seem to provide the correct data.
Once you figure out where they are hurting, report to the team that you heard their cries for help and are eager to address the matter. One thing software can't help with, however, is team dynamics. If you learn your team has issues working together, a new tool won't be the fix. Smoothing out interpersonal relationships requires mediation – sit down together and talk it through.
Of course, you know that, but I had to say it.
Report Back Early and Often
Keep your team in the loop as you make gains towards finding a solution. Since your fellow employees will be using the new tool, make sure you keep tabs on how they're feeling. And if someone has a suggestion, listen! It will make them feel heard, and you may find some fantastic new ideas.
The success of this initiative will only go so far as your team carries it and will be determined by how they use the software. As things progress, send updates to avoid people filling the silence with concerns.
Hold Demos
As you consider different products, share them with your team and hold a demo to show the pros and cons of options. This gives them a chance to ask questions, test system capabilities and get a first-hand look at how they could use a tool in practice. Ensuring your team is engaged with the demo process also builds familiarity and trust, while providing a sense of what tools will be most welcomed.
Illustrate the Benefits
Once you're close to implementing a new product, share the impact you expect to see with your team. Is it an increase in productivity, or better, more streamlined communication? Show them the improvements you think are possible and the ways this will improve their experience at work.
If there are concerns, share those too. By creating a culture of open communication and expectations, you'll find that not only are new tools easier to implement, but the team will be more relaxed and willing to share the new challenges that inevitably will show up.
Stay Positive
Living in the digital age means we have more tools at our disposal than ever before. There are excellent resources available to improve collaboration and productivity. It can be overwhelming sorting through the options but hang tough. Once you find software that ticks all the boxes for you and your team, you'll never look back!
If you want to know what tools the Bureau community is using, be sure to check out the results from our very own tools survey.