Is Your Business Losing Money Because Employees Struggle with Technology?

Adopting new technology can revolutionise your business, boosting efficiency, enhancing employee satisfaction, and providing a competitive advantage. In today’s tech-centric environment, it’s crucial for small and medium-sized businesses across Wirral, Liverpool, Chester, North West England, and beyond to stay ahead.

However, without adequate employee training and effective change management, this potential can quickly become a financial setback. Businesses may inadvertently lose money simply because their teams find it challenging to utilise new technologies efficiently.

When employees struggle with business tools, productivity declines, errors become more frequent, and customer service can suffer. Continue reading to identify common technology hurdles and uncover solutions tailored for key industries such as accountants, estate agents, law firms, schools, and construction companies.

Insufficient Technology Training

Imagine investing in a cutting-edge CRM system, only to watch your sales team flounder instead of excelling. You anticipated the CRM would streamline their tasks, but without proper training, they can’t navigate essential features, manage data entry effectively, or meet deadlines.

This scenario is all too familiar and leads to substantial costs:

Decreased Productivity

Employees wrestling with unfamiliar technology squander valuable time. For example, in a Liverpool-based accounting firm, delayed invoicing or report generation due to inadequate CRM training can result in lost revenue and missed opportunities.

Expensive Mistakes

Confusion and frustration from lack of training often lead to errors. Inaccurate data entry requires time and resources to correct, impacting budgets and potentially harming client relationships, especially in sectors like law firms and construction.

Reduced Morale and Resistance

Struggling with new systems can be disheartening. Untrained employees might resist using the technology altogether, opting for outdated methods they’re comfortable with. This resistance hampers adoption and undermines the benefits of new tech investments.

Poor Change Management

Introducing new technology disrupts established workflows. Without robust change management, employees can feel overwhelmed and insecure. Change management focuses on the human aspect of transition, helping employees understand the reasons behind the change and providing the necessary training and support.

Low Employee Morale

Change can be stressful. Without clear communication and support, employees may feel undervalued, leading to low morale and a negative work environment. For instance, a primary school in Chester implementing new educational software without adequate support might leave teachers feeling stressed and unsupported.

Shadow IT

When employees feel the new system isn’t meeting their needs, they might turn to unauthorized tools. This creates security risks and diminishes the value of the new technology. Estate agents in Wirral, for example, might use personal devices for client management if their CRM isn’t user-friendly.

Hesitation Towards Future Changes

A negative experience with a tech rollout can make employees wary of future changes. This resistance can stifle innovation and make it difficult for businesses to adapt to evolving market trends. Without effective change management, employees may experience “change fatigue,” reducing overall productivity.

Bridging the Gap to Success

Realising the true value of new technology hinges on effective training and change management. Here’s how to avoid unnecessary costs and maximise the benefits of your tech investments:

Invest in Comprehensive Training

Don’t treat training as an afterthought. While some tools are user-friendly, employees have varying levels of tech literacy. Tailored training programs are essential to ensure everyone can use the new technology effectively.

Customised Training Programmes: Develop training that goes beyond basic features. Include video tutorials, hands-on workshops, and ongoing support resources.
Industry-Specific Training: For example, law firms in North West England may need specific training on secure document management, while construction companies might focus on project management tools.

Learn more about our Managed Infrastructure services to support your training needs.

Emphasise User Adoption, Not Just Features

Training should not only explain how the software works but also highlight how it benefits employees in their daily tasks and improves workflow efficiency. Without proper adoption, the full advantages of the technology remain untapped.

Embrace Change Management

Communicate the “why” behind the change. Explain how new technology will make jobs easier and benefit the company as a whole. Encourage open communication and address concerns throughout the transition.

Clear Communication: Ensure all employees understand the reasons for the change and how it will positively impact their work.
Ongoing Support: Provide continuous support to address any issues that arise during the transition.

Explore our Change Management services to ensure a smooth transition.

The Key Takeaway

New technology is a powerful tool, but its value is only realised when users are well-trained and supported. Prioritising employee training and effective change management bridges the gap between a shiny new system and a genuine return on investment.

Happy, well-trained employees using the right tools are your secret weapon. They can help you maximise efficiency, boost morale, and stay ahead of the competition. Don’t let a lack of training turn your tech upgrade into a financial drain.

Need Help With Technology Training?

Efficiency and productivity improvements are the goals of most technology transformations. At Hilt Digital, we specialise in helping businesses across Wirral, Liverpool, Chester, North West England, and surrounding areas achieve their tech goals through comprehensive staff training.

We offer tailored training and support to ensure your team excels with both new and existing tools. From SentinelOne Endpoint Protection to Azure Cloud Consultancy and Management, our services are designed to meet your specific needs.

Are you ready to discuss a customised tech training plan for your staff?