To get the most out of your UC investment we have found the implementation of a usage and adoption program to be essential in teaching your employees first how to use the communication tools, and second to learn how it can benefit them.
IYou know that junk drawer in your kitchen? The one drawer full of seemingly useless knick-knacks, half used birthday candles, mostly dead batteries and maybe seven rolls of tape? This drawer of forgotten supplies is quite similar to businesses’ unified communications tools. Many of the resources that companies invest in, such as new conferencing and collaboration technologies, often go unused by the employees that they are intended to benefit. If this is a problem that has plagued your company, there are steps that your management and IT leaders can follow to salvage your UC investments.
UC training or an adoption and usage program can make a huge difference when thoughtfully planned and executed within your business. Any effective usage and adoption program won't come to you overnight. The development of the right UC training delivery methods should be just as strategic as the initial rollout of the communication tool. Keep the following three key points in mind as your organization fleshes out its curriculum.
1. One size does not fit all:
At one point or another, we have all had to deal with figuring out what type of learning method we take the most from visual, audio, or tactile. No one absorbs information, in the same way, making this decision process a very particular one. If your company is sticking to one training delivery method, you may unintentionally exclude some, or many, of your employees from engaging the training you offer.
Having high success rates with the usage and adoption program comes when the curriculum is offered in multiple formats- whether it be in-person group lessons, one-on-one instruction or FAQ sheets sent out through email. If it is applicable, you can customize the training specified per job function or department. If you want to be successful, you have to cater towards your audience.
2. Be persistent:
To get your employees to switch from their entrusted communications platform to something new and seemingly scary is a behavioral issue more so than a technological issue where they “don’t understand” it. You will need to be patient with your employees during this switch.
3. Measure, measure, measure:
To prove the success of any technology rollout or training initiative starts with showing the numbers. In the early days of a UC deployment within your organization, set measurable goals for usage and adoption. Once the goals are set, its all about the follow through.
Business executives and IT leaders need to collect direct user feedback during various points post-rollout. It is important to ask employees how often they're using the tools as well as where and for what purposes. Employees opinions on the training they received are very important to make curriculum adjustments. Organizations can obtain an accurate picture of what technologies work the best, and where to allocate future investments.
• • • • • • • • • • •
Do you need additional help getting your team adjusted to UC? Give us a call! We make sure that
your solution integration is seamless with in-depth user training.
