Recently an article posted by ADP contained eight suggestions for getting new employees acclimated into a firm’s culture. Item #6 promoted the importance of training.
At Crosspointe, we’re all for that! Our consultants are often contacted only when software programs, applications and systems are so hopelessly muddled that reaching out for help is the last step before throwing systems and data away. When new – and existing – employees are trained in advance, it means less errors, accurate usage and more appreciation for the investment made in software programs and applications.
There are certain misconceptions about training –
| FALLACY | FACT |
| “[Name of Employee] can teach the new person. After all, they use the program.” |
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| “Just find some YouTube videos.” | Video presentations, whether through YouTube or other sites, are exactly that: presentations.
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| “You should know how to do this.” |
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| “I’m sure [name of employee] will be fine.” |
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Bringing in consultants who are certified on your software and applications can also have the following benefits:
- Business analytics
- For accounting and billing programs, a review of rate and billing structures
- Database design, including custom fields to track data
- Reviewing reports
- Creation of custom reports showing data important to a firm
- Increased efficiency in capturing expenses, particularly from copier, postage and phone systems
- Business consulting
- Increased efficiency in organizing and locating documents
- Integration of third-party software
- Database performance and optimization
- Support for older versions of products
- Assist I.T. consultants with installation and upgrades of your programs and applications (it’s not all Microsoft!)
- Individual or group software training
- Remote support for the quick question
- Design workflow to incorporate an application into a firm’s culture and use it to further a firm’s objectives and goals
Despite the marketing rhetoric, most programs and applications do not pop out of a box, full-blown and ready to use. At Crosspointe Consulting Group, our staff are trained AND certified on the products we support, with many years of experience in answering questions and crafting solutions for our clients. Call us at 877-357-0555 or write to us as [email protected] and let us help you maximize the benefits from your investment in your programs and applications
Dana Riel is President and Founder of Business Solutions, Inc., serving the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area since 1985. Her firm is the authorized training center for the region for Time Matters and PCLaw by PCLaw|Time Matters, PLLC; Timeslips and Sage 50 Accounting by Sage Software; and QuickBooks by Intuit Corporation. She also serves as a consultant for Caret Legal (formerly known as Zola Suite), CosmoLex, Soluno & TimeSolv. As a trainer, Dana has provided training services to organizations such as the DOD Defense Logistics Agency, Judge Advocate General’s Office (JAG)/Department of the Navy, University of the District of Columbia School of Law, U.S. Department of Commerce and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, as well as with small‐ to mid‐size law firms in the Baltimore‐Washington D.C. area. In 2009, she participated in the series of day‐long seminars sponsored by the District of Columbia Bar Association Practice Management Section, titled “Basic Training: Learn About Running a Law Office”. Ms. Riel also served as an Adjunct Professor in Georgetown University’s Paralegal Studies Program, having taught the course, “Legal Ethics/Legal Technology” in 2009; and “Legal Technology” for the Spring and Summer Semesters of 2010. She presently serves on the Advisory Board for PCLaw|Time Matters, PLLC.