In this series, we take a closer look at what it takes to support a successful Office 365 migration including the decisions, strategy, mobility, monitoring, and on-boarding aspects.
Part five of a series.
Users are creatures of habit. They’ll use what they’re used to. They don’t like change. Especially, if they can adequately do their work with the tools they already have. Or, if they cannot see the value in learning a new tool.
Think of an accountant. They have enough to learn on a regular basis and their focus is on the end results. So, a new piece of software, or a new process, is not really as important to them.
Actually, they might prefer to stick to the familiar way to accomplish tasks. Especially if there’s a learning curve to using it. Or, if it might put their data at risk.
Selling Users on Cloud Migration
You’ve gotten this far in the cloud migration process because you’ve already sold the C-Suite on the benefits, cost savings, increased security, and personnel re-purposing that results from moving to a cloud solution.
But what happens if users don’t buy into your idea and businesses invest in alternative solutions? If you don’t want to end up becoming re-purposed personnel, here’s what you can do to get your users on-board with the change:
- Make sure users understand the benefits so that it becomes “everyone’s idea” – not just “your idea.”
- Explain governance policies and any new processes to the extent that they’re clear and easy to follow.
- Offer courses in your company’s internal educational platform on using the resources. Here’s a good example: Imagine Academy.
- Provide all users different types of Quick Start Guides so they aren’t forced to call someone or search for an answer.
- Create teams for different groups of learners based on preferred learning styles so they can share training ideas.
Try these additional training resources from Microsoft:
You know your users best. But, typically, if you can get your users to believe the new software makes their work lives easier – and they have the tools and training they need – then you have succeeded in planning your cloud roll-out.
Hope you’ve enjoyed the series! If you need more resources or help, please let me know. We have conducted numerous workshops and planning sessions with various organizations to prepare them for a secure trip to the cloud. We can help plan your move, too.