So you have big ideas but you’re not quite sure how to make that digital change.
Or maybe you’ve spent the last few months trying to figure out how you are going to keep your organisation connected with many people in different places. Wherever you are on your digital change journey doesn’t matter, the fact that you are reading this article does!
Choosing to work with a technology partner can save you heaps of time and also money but can bring risk so you need to do the hard work first to find the right fit for your organisation.
Working with an independent organisation that shares your passion can bring many benefits. Here’s our advice for finding the right one;
Trust - Every solid relationship needs it
Your perfect technology partner will take time to understand and care about your customers just as much as you do. If not, they’re just not right for you. The right partner will challenge you on the crucial parts of your plan and help you to identify the mission critical ‘must haves’ versus the ‘nice to haves’.
Introducing these conversations via a third party can often clear blockages and open up new thinking as a good tech partner will bring a new perspective and fresh pair of eyes to your plan. And if you don’t yet have a plan, the right tech partner will start with your dream for your organisation and build that into a plan of action with you. Note we talk partner not supplier. Your tech partner should be treated like an integral part of the team, right at the heart of the action getting their hands dirty!
Experience counts
So we naturally see accreditations as being a mark of quality. For a tech partner, it's a badge that says ‘we’ve been at the thick end of working with his product and we survived’ It’s certainly true that clients will benefit from the ups and downs that partners have with implementing new technologies into different industries. We don’t just mean getting the technology working either, getting people comfortable with working with a new tool and then reaping the benefits can be challenging but is extremely rewarding. So you want to look for a partner that can demonstrate this experience. In the world of technology where the rate of innovation is extremely fast paced you need to be able to rely on a partner that can keep up. That experience can save you valuable time and money, somethings most organisations don’t have enough of.
One size does not fit all
Being a specialist in a platform can bring many benefits. The hard work to understand how a software works has already been done and clients can certainly take advantage of the knowledge gained from advanced training. However, be cautious when looking at providers that only work with one product. The driver for any digital change programme has to be the outcomes not the technology. It’s important to not fall into the trap of being ‘sold’ a product. There is no ‘one size fits all’ and you should have confidence in the people working with you that they want you to achieve your goals. Their job is to scope out the best fit for your people based on your objectives not on a standard set of features that their favourite platform has.
Don’t overlook the Cultural fit
Choosing the tech is the easy bit. Getting people to use it is often the biggest challenge to overcome, so you need to be sure that the way your new provider operates fits with your company culture. Many software training programmes these days are user led. By that we mean there will be a whole host of training videos and help docs for the user to access at leisure. That’s great if you’re a 20 something easily flitting between a number of apps and devices everyday but perhaps not so if you have an ageing workforce that struggle to find their way around a tablet. Having the option to deliver a blended training programme adaptable to all learning styles and at different speeds will prove invaluable in the long run.
What about the Future?
Don’t settle for less than you deserve. An exceptional partner understands that the systems they develop for you need to keep pace as your organisation evolves. Be clear on how you want that relationship to work once the initial project is complete. Make sure you’ve accounted for an ongoing support package in your initial budget.
About WE
Working in and with technology since 2002, WE have developed an extensive network of trusted technology partners and industry experts and with that combined experience deliver successful digital change programmes of all shapes and sizes.
We are a Microsoft NFP partner and a SharpSpring Gold partner (the first one in the North of England!)
Our experience in the sector means we can translate the jargon for you and speed the process up. Put plainly, we help you see the wood for the trees and navigate you, your people and your customers to a better experience.
If you need help, please get in touch 01642 939181 or Email
Post by Vicki Robson
