ORGANIZING TIPS

Would you let your babysitter cut your hair?  Probably not.  Would you give yourself a root canal?  Highly doubtful.  So why would you buy new equipment or computer programs without consulting an expert? 

I'm not talking about the salesperson.  The expert referred to here is your company personnel who use the equipment on a daily basis.  The person who knows how much it is used, what type of features are (and are not) needed.  Consider these situations:  

• If you need need a new phone system, elicit the help of the receptionist. 
• Is it time to outsource some copy jobs?  Ask staff if they have dealt with copy shops and their recommendations. 
• Thinking of getting a new software program?  Determine who is going to use it and get input from them. 

I know a bookkeeper (the only bookkeeper in the company) who was not consulted on the purchase of new accounting software.  If they had consulted her, they would have learned the new program could not do as much as the old program.  Additionally, there was no easy way to transfer information so all existing accounts (100's of clients) had to be manually hand-keyed.  Was she upset?  Yes and no.  Yes, because she felt unappreciated and it created a lot more work for her in an already-busy position.  And No, because her overtime paid for a trip to Italy.

So remember, before you make a purchase include your employees in the decision.  Of course, you will make the ultimate decision, but get as much information as possible so you can make an informed decision.  It will save you a lot of headaches, time and money.  And for the staff who help make the decision, it will give them a sense of self-worth and the feeling they are a valuable part of your company.