IT is an enabler. A function that contributes significantly to the overall strategic objectives of the organisation. This is an often forgotten fact, especially in smaller organisations, as IT falls by the wayside for more urgent activities.
IT is often taken for granted in more than a number of ways and is only noticeable when something goes wrong. Only thinking about you IT function when an error occurs limits grander thinking. One particularly overlooked aspect of the IT function is staff training. Your work force’s ability to access, operate and more effectively use the applications that are available will generate better work outcomes. If they are struggling to use any piece of the software the first point of call is the IT manager, who is dragged away from his or her tasks to solve what is often a straightforward problem. We delve into more detail in our e-book. We recommended the ideal time designation for workforce enablement should be around the 20% mark. In a standard week this compiles to 8 hours of activates for the IT manager that are solely focused on educating the workplace. This may seem like big investment upfront but you’ll soon see the ROI emerge rapidly. Your
We have summed up 3 key areas of focus, in order:
- Get back to basics
Starting from square one is crucial. Your staff will be at different levels of computer literacy, assuming knowledge of anything will lead to people getting left behind. Make sure you get everyone up to speed and on the same page. This will allow for your IT manager not to get pulled aside for menial tasks. Allow for a question and answer framework as well, though facilitating the questions to be broad rather than specific to their division (we will go in to that later). Microsoft office even has free online courses for further enhancement. There may be common problems occurring within the team on a daily basis and experiencing same problems that are adding up to time wasting problems. These can be dealt with in one session.
- Now Get Specific:
The aim of these activities is to enable the workforce to create better outcomes through an improved understanding of how to use the systems and productivity applications that they have access to. After getting back to basics and getting everyone of the same page, you can then run internal workshops that break down the specific functions of an application for a specific division.
For instance:
- Explanation, demonstration and practical skills session on a new CRM module specifically designed around donation management for the fund raising team.
- A thorough demonstration of the sandbox capabilities of the computing ecosystem for digital developers and designers.
This will allow for a better understanding of specific functions divisions use on a common basis.
- Empower them:
The next level to simply training for enablement is training that empowers the workforce through innovative technology. This should not only allow them to do what they do more effectively but also work in a way that meets their work/life balance. If you haven’t already implemented a Bring You Own Device (BYOD) platform, this is allows for your workforce to access information from any device, at any time from any place.
Also allowing for innovative technology ideas to be suggested and implemented by whoever would like to contribute. In this tech era, there are a constant stream of accessible and affordable tech solutions that have the ability to make peoples work life easier. Set up systems or workshops for brainstorming session on new tech ideas that could make your organisation more effective.
Often when we think technology or IT we don’t associate it with people. But IT has a direct correlation between making your workforce more efficient. By following the steps above you will not only save your workforce and organisaiton time but also your IT managers time who can now focus on high value activities.
Your IT manager will thank you but, more importantly, your staff will too as they can now solve the basic stuff for themselves. You’ll see an overall more productive workforce which means you can do what’s important – not just what’s urgent.
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