Are you getting the most out of your software?

There are two things I just don't get about companies buying software. One deals with the cost of the software and the other is getting the training to use it. Or I should say the lack of training.

First question I have. Why do customers have very strong reservations about paying 3-5 thousand dollars for the software that is needed to run their business and thrive, but don't hesitate to spend 10 times that for a car that simply gets them to and from work?

The second question I have. Why do customers spend any amount for software then doesn't bother to learn everything that software has to offer. Like the brain, which we only use about 10% of, when it comes to software the same holds true. We never really get the most out of our software purchase because we never bother to learn more than we need to, to get by.

I have been working in the customer service area or working directly with end users for all of my adult life and I can assure you that over 90% of the problems people have with software is caused by their lack of knowledge. I swear that if states didn't bother to give driving tests there would be more accidents and deaths caused by accidents because we would have never learned to drive before we got behind the wheel.

If you are going to spend good money to purchase software for your business, spend the extra and make sure your staff knows how to use it. Let me illustrate. If I give you a piece of blank paper and pencil and ask you to draw me a picture. You may give me something like what you see in the first illustration (on the left).

BUT, with a little training and practice you could give me a drawing more like the second. (on the right) Same paper and pencil but a totally different results. The only difference is the amount of training received.

We should spend the little extra to make sure our employee's have the training needed to use the software. Not only will you have fewer problems with the software you will get the most out of it. Each and every day our Tech Support staff hears the same comments from our users. "I didn't know it did that!" Every time one of your employees says that you should cringe and realize, cha-ching, it just cost you in lost revenue and production.

Some of the art work included in this post are courtesy ofBrian Duey at www.dueysdrawings.com.