User Adoption: How to Get Buy-in from Your Staff
We at Provisio are well aware of the challenges a technology implementation brings. Case in point: one of our clients called their Salesforce implementation Project Atlas, after the famous Greek titan who carried the world on his shoulders, because they knew how monumental the project would be. Forbes reports that up to 84% of digital transformation projects fail to deliver their expected benefits. These are the reasons why:
A lack of clear strategy
Ungrounded, uninspiring leadership
Unwillingness to adapt
Focusing on launch rather than the post-launch adoption phase
Change, while necessary for growth, can be difficult for employees, especially when they feel disconnected from the transformation process. That's where change management comes in, providing a structured path to bring people along on the journey, so the change is not only accepted but embraced.
A Phased Approach to Technology Transformation
Another option many of our clients take is a phased approach to technology innovation. The Stanford Social Innovation Review quotes Aparna Kothary, Director of Technology Operations at Global Citizen Year:
Instead of saying, ‘Here’s this shiny new tool we are going to use forever,’ maybe say, ‘This is phase one of a three-year project, and every year we’re going to improve a little bit more, and here are the things we’re going to look at, at the end of the year to understand how it’s working, and what can be made better.’”
Change is inherent in any strategic initiative, and by managing it properly, organizations can minimize resistance and maximize the chances of success.
Key Elements of Effective User Adoption
Stakeholder Engagement: Engaging stakeholders at all levels is crucial. A strategic communications plan should be developed to ensure all key players understand their role in the change process and feel empowered to contribute.
Assessing Change Readiness: Not all organizations are equally ready for change. Assessing the readiness of different stakeholder groups is an essential step. By categorizing stakeholders and determining what they need to feel supported, organizations can tailor their approach to change, ensuring everyone is on the same page.
Tailored Training and Resources: Change management isn’t just about teaching employees how to use new systems—it’s about creating a supportive environment that ensures they are equipped to handle the shift. This may include customizing training resources, offering FAQs, or holding town halls to provide a space for questions and feedback.
Post-Implementation Support: The work doesn’t end after the system is live. Monitoring usage metrics and identifying adoption issues early on is key to ensuring a smooth transition. Addressing any issues promptly and effectively can prevent problems from escalating and impacting the broader organization.
Driving Adoption: Helping Employees Feel Ownership
For many organizations, one of the hardest parts of change is not the technology itself, but getting employees to accept and adopt it. This requires fostering a sense of ownership and engagement. Employees should feel like they are part of the change, rather than passive recipients of it.
One of our nonprofit clients recently shared this story with us: during a demonstration of the solution they were testing, her colleague started crying because she saw how much easier the new technology would make her job. Creating this sense of excitement can be achieved through consistent communication, transparency, and involving employees in key decision-making processes.
How Provisio Can Support
You don’t have to be Atlas, balancing the weight of the world on your shoulders. We offer Advisory Services that can be weaved throughout your implementation process, from strategy setting to supporting change management efforts throughout your technology transition. Go Live is only the beginning of this evolving process; even after your implementation, we can partner with you through our Managed Services offerings. This places a team of Salesforce experts by your side for enablement sessions and technical support, helping ensure successful user adoption.
Curious to learn more? Click the button below.