Is Your Business Losing Money Because Employees Can't Use Tech?

Embracing new technology can be thrilling! It promises increased efficiency, happier employees, and a competitive edge. Staying competitive in Edinburgh’s technology-driven business world is essential.

However, that promise can turn into a costly nightmare if you overlook two critical aspects: employee training and change management. Without these, you risk losing money because employees can’t effectively use their new tools.

When employees struggle with business technology, productivity suffers. Mistakes happen, and customer service declines. Read on to discover common technology issues faced by staff and the solutions to these problems.

Lack of Technology Training

Picture this: you've invested in a state-of-the-art CRM system, expecting it to enhance your sales team’s performance. Instead, you see them struggling. They can't find essential features, have trouble with data entry, and miss deadlines.

Why? They haven’t been adequately trained on the new software. This scenario is common and leads to several costs.

Lost Productivity

Employees fumbling with unfamiliar tech waste valuable work time. Imagine the lost sales opportunities if your team can't process orders or generate reports due to insufficient training on the new CRM.

Costly Errors

Confusion and frustration lead to mistakes. Incorrect data entered into the new system requires time and money to fix. This impacts budgets and can damage client relationships.

Demotivation and Resistance

Struggling with new systems is demoralising. Untrained employees might resist using the new technology altogether, preferring outdated but familiar methods. This hinders adoption and negates the benefits of the new tools.

Failing to Manage the Change

Introducing new technology disrupts workflows. Without proper change management, employees can feel overwhelmed and insecure. Change management addresses the "human" side of change, helping employees understand why things are changing and providing training, support, and engagement to help them transition successfully.

Organisations using change management are 67% more likely to achieve desired project outcomes.

Neglecting change management can result in several issues.

Low Morale

Change can be stressful. Employees can feel lost and undervalued without clear communication and support during transitions, leading to low morale and a negative work environment.

Shadow IT

If employees feel the new system isn’t meeting their needs, they might resort to using unauthorised 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 can develop “change fatigue,” making them less productive.

Building a Bridge to Success

The key to unlocking the full value of new technology lies in effective training and change management. Here's how to avoid negative costs and maximise the benefits from your tech investments.

Invest in Comprehensive Training

Don’t treat training as an afterthought. While some tools claim to be user-friendly, people have varying levels of tech literacy. A tailored training programme that goes beyond basic features is essential. Include video tutorials, hands-on workshops, and ongoing support resources to help everyone feel comfortable with the new tools.

Focus on User Adoption, Not Just Features

Training should not only explain how the software works but also show how it benefits employees in their daily tasks and improves workflow efficiency. If employees don’t adopt the tech well, its full benefits won’t be realised.

Embrace Change Management

Communicate the "why" behind the change. Explain how the new technology will make everyone’s jobs easier and 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. Prioritise employee training and change management to 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 maximise efficiency, boost morale, and stay ahead of the curve. Don’t let a lack of training turn your tech upgrade into a financial burden.

Need Help With Technology Training?

Efficiency and productivity improvements are the goals of most technology transformations. At m3 Networks, we can help you achieve these goals with staff training. We tailor our training and support to your needs, helping your team excel with new and existing tools.

Ready to discuss a tailored tech training plan for your staff?

Contact us today to learn more.