When it comes to office productivity software, there is no replacement for the power of Microsoft Office. However, many small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) have limited resources. Therefore, they may not be able to afford or find an appropriate package.
In addition, a lack of user training and adoption can hinder the effectiveness of other software packages. The good news is that you don’t need to spend a fortune on third-party software to get the most from Microsoft Office or SharePoint. By incorporating the right SharePoint adoption strategies, you can begin seeing results almost immediately.
This article outlines several tips for driving successful SharePoint adoption from within your company.
Train Your Users
Users who have received training on a software product are generally more proficient at using it. It is because they have a greater level of familiarity with the software’s functions. Therefore, they are more comfortable with them. They are also more likely to have a strong understanding of the benefits that accompany the software package.
In addition, those who have received training are less likely to encounter any issues that can hinder their adoption. Training is an investment, but it will pay off in terms of increased productivity and improved workflows. You may need to create training modules and materials and run training courses for all your staff. However, this investment will truly pay off if you see an increase in adoption rates.
Now, it’s important to note that training alone isn’t enough to guarantee success with SharePoint adoption. You also need to make sure that people use the software and see the benefits of doing so. If there are still a few people who aren’t interested in using SharePoint, then training wouldn’t be useful.
Provide Useful Content
The first step toward success with SharePoint adoption is to ensure that all staff members have adequate knowledge of the software. It includes not just the basic functions and features of the software, but also how it can help their business. What content does your company produce? How does this content relate to SharePoint? What are the objectives for using the software? Create content that answers these questions and more, ensuring that all staff members are aware of the reasons for installing and using SharePoint.
While this may seem like a trivial step, it has a significant impact. People who have a clear understanding of why they are using a software package are generally more likely to continue using it.
Build a Bridge with Excel and PowerPoint
While SharePoint is primarily a collaboration tool, many companies find that it is helpful to start with legacy tools, in particular Excel and PowerPoint. You can use these tools to create simple, easy-to-understand dashboards and dashboards containing KPIs. Once these dashboards have been created and distributed, you can transition to using SharePoint to store and manage these content types.
Start with basic dashboards such as the number of orders placed, the number of invoices received, and the number of customers who have placed an order. Once these KPIs have been created and distributed, you can start to incorporate other SharePoint features, such as navigation, navigation paths, and labels.
Develop Brand Awareness
When you’re creating the content for your SharePoint environment, you’ll want to think about branding. It is important for several reasons as it will help develop a greater awareness of your brand. It will also help to build brand awareness for your company by using images and terminology that are consistent with your overall brand strategy.
Now, this may seem like a very basic step, but it has a significant impact. If people in your company begin to associate your brand with SharePoint adoption, they are more likely to see the benefits of using the software.
Bottom line
SharePoint can be a useful tool within the workplace, but without the right adoption strategies, it can be difficult to fully reap the benefits. By training on the product and creating useful content, you can make sure that your staff members are confident and comfortable using SharePoint. When users begin to see the benefits of using the software, brand awareness, and investment in the product, organizations will see a marked increase in adoption.
