subject: The High Cost of Software Problems [print this page] The High Cost of Software Problems The High Cost of Software Problems
Why fight fires when you can prevent them? Scenario: Your team has just begun work on a dynamic new project. Everyone is full of enthusiasm. Suddenly a systems problem arises. It isn't unsolvable but it affects everyone. Many people might be needed to solve this problem Important deadlines are now jeopardized. There is potential for lost payroll, productivity and the tension is bringing morale down - not to mention the unhappy customers that you must now take time to deal with. Eventually, the problem is solved. But wait, another problem, or worse, the same one, flares up. Does this sound familiar?
Fire prevention The antidote for system administration fires is finding their causes and sources and then learning to solve them. This solution requires an investment in employee education and software customization. But you say, we have a department for fixing computer problems. The bottom line is, if their time is tied up with small, recurring technology problems ... your company is losing money ... and your staff is becoming increasingly frustrated. Beyond the lost wages and low productivity this could affect the general workplace morale.
Training Opens the Door The first step in reducing employee frustration arising from software issues is to make the solution personal. Teach them! Employees who are confident that they can solve the problem themselves go beyond fear of failure to approaching the issue as a challenge instead of a roadblock. Fires will always occur, and time spent fighting them can mean the difference between being productive and stress-free, or becoming prematurely burned-out.
Your Problems. Your Solutions. There are unlimited choices, when it comes to software. Selection criteria are also unlimited. The key to success for your business is finding the software that provides the solution to your business goals and then training your staff. The greatest application or best "deal" is worthless, if it is shelved by your staff because of inexperience or frustration. How do you find your own solutions, or even your own problems? It is crucial to determine needs and priorities at the beginning. Don't let cost (or management) steer the decision. Spend some time analyzing how each staff member spends his/her day. Once you can name the problem you can find the solution but many companies throw more and more tools at a problem when a few well-understood ones could provide success.
The High Cost of NOT Learning We have all had the experience of someone looking over your shoulder while you work and suggesting a much simpler way to perform a repeated task. With the right training provider, your staff has that customized advisor backing them up. They gain confidence in themselves and in the tools they use. Well trained employees solve problems quickly, without disrupting work flow and, therefore, saving you both time and money.
