New technology promises amazing things for your business: happier employees, smoother operations, and a competitive edge. But hold on a sec! This tech dream can quickly turn into a financial nightmare if you forget two crucial things:  training your team and managing the change.

The Hidden Costs of Skipping Training

Imagine this: you invest in a top-of-the-line sales system, but your sales team is floundering. They can’t find key features, struggle with data entry, and miss deadlines. Why? Because they haven’t been properly trained on the new software!

This scenario plays out in businesses all the time, leading to some serious hidden costs:

• Lost Productivity: Employees fumbling with unfamiliar tech waste valuable work time. Imagine the lost sales if your team can’t process orders or generate reports due to bad training!
• Costly Errors: Confusion leads to mistakes. Inaccurate data entered into the new system requires time and money to fix. This hurts budgets and can damage client relationships.
• Demotivation and Resistance: Struggling with a new system is demoralizing. Untrained employees might just ditch it altogether and cling to the old (but familiar) ways. This slows down adoption and negates the benefits of the new tech.

The Dangers of Ignoring Change Management

Neglecting change management can also cause problems. Organizations that skip change management are 33% less likely to achieve project goals:

• Low Morale: Change can be stressful. Without clear communication and support, employees can feel lost and undervalued. This leads to a bad work environment and unhappy employees.
• Shadow IT: Employees might feel the new system isn’t meeting their needs and resort to using unauthorized tools (shadow IT). This creates security risks and makes your tech investment pointless.
• Resistance to Future Improvements: A negative experience with a tech rollout can make employees wary of future changes. This hinders innovation and makes it difficult to adapt to evolving markets.

Building a Bridge to Success: Effective Training & Change Management

So, how do you avoid these tech pitfalls and unlock the true value of your new tools? The answer is simple: effective training and change management. Here’s how to bridge the gap between a shiny new system and a real return on investment:

• Invest in Training (the Good Kind): Don’t treat training as an afterthought. Yes, some tools say they’re easy to use, but people have different tech skills. Develop a tailored training program with video tutorials, hands-on workshops, and ongoing support resources. This helps everyone feel comfortable using the new tools.
• Focus on User Adoption, Not Just Features: Training shouldn’t just explain how the software works. It should show employees how the new system benefits them and improves their workflow. If they don’t see the value, they won’t use it well.
• Embrace Change Management: Communicate the “why” behind the change. Explain how the new technology will make everyone’s jobs easier and ultimately benefit the company. Encourage open communication and address concerns throughout the transition.

The Takeaway: Happy Employees are Your Secret Weapon

New tech is powerful, but it’s only as valuable as its users. Happy, well-trained employees with the right tools are your secret weapon. They can help you maximize efficiency, boost morale, and stay ahead of the curve. Don’t let a lack of training turn your tech upgrade into a financial drain.

Need Help with Training Your Team?

We can help you achieve your tech goals with customized training and support. We’ll help your team excel with both new and existing tools. Ready to discuss a tailored tech training plan for your staff? Contact us today and let’s chat!

Article used with permission from The Technology Press.