Why
is it that a large number of companies don unimpressive records in
selecting technology solutions for their workplace? These tools are used
to support the organization and uniformity of your operations. Surely
evaluating these products should be given the utmost importance — but we
continue to come up short.

Companies tend to focus on the shiny
features of a product carrying big promises from the vendor and a small
list of parameters that must be met. This often leaves people with
lackluster results. Unfortunately, poor choices in this arena can lead
to inefficiencies, a lack of team cohesion, and lost revenue. How do we
improve the quality of our technology decisions for our businesses?
Workflow Maps!

“Companies tend to focus on the shiny features of a product carrying big promises from the vendor and a small list of parameters that must be met. This often leaves people with lackluster results. Unfortunately, poor choices in this arena can lead to inefficiencies, lack of cohesion among teams, and lost revenue.”

Workflow Maps are flow charts that provide
complete, high-level overviews of your processes. These are not
detailed, step-by-step instructions on how to complete specific tasks.
Rather, they are a chronological list of steps to complete the process.
Examples of actions include status changes in CRM software,
communications to be sent, the process of changing hands from one
department to another or one person to another, creation of documents,
dispatching field personnel, work to be performed, estimates to be made,
and critical decisions.

There
are many software programs available to make the creation of the flow
chart a breeze. Perform a quick internet search to find a myriad of
choices. Before venturing into making your chart, I recommended starting
with a simple bulleted list. Learning and operating a new software can
distract from the real goal: getting everything documented correctly. 

Beginning
with a checklist ensures you have the information collected and are
really just making it look pretty when you compile a flowchart. Another
helpful tip is color coding flowchart steps according to the position
within your organization. It helps analyze your processes when the
workflow map is complete.

Once your company has its needed
processes mapped, take them to the technology vendor and say, “This is
what we do in our company on a daily basis. Show me how your product
meets or exceeds my needs.” If a candidate can walk through your process
alongside their product or service, you likely have a viable solution.
Stay vigilant for options completing your general workflow, hitting all
critical points, and performing it in fewer steps or computer clicks.
Remember, steps and clicks equal time. Eliminating time from your
workflows can mean increased performance for your team.

There is
an investment in having one or multiple members of your team document
your processes. You’ll be glad you did so at the end of the journey.
Workflow Maps benefit businesses in many ways: Role defining, finding
bottlenecks, solving efficiency issues, implementing new procedures,
developing full SOPs, evaluating staff levels, and developing KPIs, for
example. Answers to questions you have about your business may also be
right in front of you.  

New technology implementation is tricky,
and the anxiety from uncertainty is terrible. These charts are not the
magic pill but a powerful tool. Give yourself the confidence in knowing
you’ve selected the correct option and focus on the tasks ahead. This
investment pays dividends, friends! Let’s get to mapping.