Critical tips for conducting a smooth software rollout
If the pandemic has taught businesses anything, it’s that you must adapt to an evolving landscape. Otherwise, you’ll eventually get left behind by the competition. One of the most practical ways to stay relevant and efficient is to implement new technologies like software into your operations. Whether it’s to manage your finances or enable your remote workforce to collaborate, it’s critical that you take advantage of the software available.
Choosing which technology to use for your business is one thing. Getting your team on board and rolling it out is another. For your company to receive maximum benefit from any new software, it’s essential to conduct a smooth rollout each time. Here are some tried-and-true tips for doing just that:
Make sure your software can be easily implemented.
There is software on the market for virtually every day-to-day task and long-term project that you can think of. But if a product is difficult to learn and use, then it’s not going to do you much good. When shopping for software, one of the first things to look at is whether it can be easily implemented in your operations.
Say that you are wanting to invest in business software for the enterprise to help with bookkeeping and accounting. This is important for businesses of all sizes, but it’s particularly critical for those moving to the midsize market. As you research various products, look for software that not only will help you improve and maintain your company‘s financial health but also be easy for your team members to use on a daily basis. For example, QuickBooks enterprise is a robust program that provides all of the essential functions of a larger ERP but without as many complexities. It will integrate across company workflows and allow you to easily manage payroll, inventory, advanced reporting statements, and much more.
Consider your team.
You can be the best teacher and boss in the world, but unless you view your software rollout as a team project, it will fail. You’ll need to strategize your rollout, determine goals, and create a roadmap for the process — plus, you’ll need input from each team member.
Communicate effectively throughout the project.
Since you’ll be working closely with your team, effective communication is vital. Management must make clear why the company is implementing the software, and they must ensure everyone understands their role. Along with staff, any other stakeholders that will be impacted should be informed of the vision and strategy behind the change.
Get feedback from end users.
Your software rollout should include lots of testing, and your end users should be involved from the beginning. You don’t need to test with your entire staff unless you’re a micro business with only a few employees. Choose a core group of end users who will test the new software and provide feedback.
Take time to plan and train.
Finally, you should expect the rollout to take time. If you rush the process, chances are your team will miss some things that will hurt you down the road. Sit down with your team to devise a thorough plan, and remember to allow for time to train each person who will be using the software.
As important as it is to choose the right types of software to use in your business operations, it’s equally as important to take the rollout process seriously. Remember to only invest in software that will be easy to implement, to include core team members in the process, and to communicate effectively with everyone involved. Also, thoroughly test the software, and allow ample time for planning and training. While there’s more to enacting a smooth rollout, following these tips will help you get off to a strong start.
This guest post is contributed by Marcus Lansky from abilitator.biz.