We’ve all heard it – that collective groan when a new software package roll-out is announced. Employees know there will be committees and discovery exercises that will take them away from their already overwhelming work load. They think about the new application they are going to have to learn how to use. They worry that the company is looking for an opportunity to downsize through increased efficiency. How unappealing is all of that?
What if instead of approaching a new software roll-out as a new company edict, it gets internally marketed as a solution? Companies are getting better and better and viewing their employees as internal clients and this message fits right in line with that thinking. Do software sales people tell prospective clients “you are going to buy this package of code I’m peddling and then rock your employee’s world by forcing them to to learn how to use it and give up their old familiar applications.”? No, software sales consultants have to determine what their client’s needs are and then show them how their software can help meet those needs. A roll out shouldn’t be any different.
So the next time your company gets ready to roll out new software, think about some internal marketing. You might want to start with a quick survey asking your employees that will use the new application what their greatest day to day challenges are. Next you can do some internal marketing showing how the new software is a great solution to help meet those challenges.
The roll out of a great new software application should be something to get excited about, not something to elicit dejected groans. Fun and positive internal marketing that shows your employees how they will benefit from the new software is much more likely to produce early adoption and proficiency that will result in successfully meeting the needs you purchased the software to fulfill in the first place.
Got any great stories of successful software roll outs? I’d love to read a comment about them below! And in the meantime, happy hunting!