What do you do if stakeholders don't understand the value of innovative IT solutions?
Navigating the landscape of IT Operations Management often involves introducing innovative solutions to enhance efficiency and productivity. However, convincing stakeholders of their value can be challenging, especially if they lack technical expertise or are resistant to change. It's crucial to bridge this gap by effectively communicating the benefits and potential impact of these IT innovations on the business.
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Josh FehrmannCTMS Director and IT Director
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Maria AielloSenior IT Executive | CIO & Strategic Technologist | 2023 GlobeSt Woman of Influence | Professor | Board Member |…
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Melissa WykleChief Strategy Officer | Business Advisor | Digital Transformation | Technology | SaaS | Legal | Hospitality | Theme…
When stakeholders don't grasp the value of innovative IT solutions, education is key. Start by organizing workshops or presentations that demystify the technology. Use simple language and real-world examples to illustrate how the solution can solve existing problems or improve operations. Relate the technology to their roles and show how it aligns with the overall business strategy. The goal is to make the technology less intimidating and more accessible, fostering a better understanding of its benefits.
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It often helps to build partnerships with various non-IT leaders and managers that reside in the same area as the stakeholders. Ensure those key people understand the value, buy-in, and will help communicate consistently. This approach gains credibility with the stakeholder community, lightens the burden on IT, and helps move the critical mass forward.
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Start with the benefits and potential ROI of the new technology with a business case, data or illustration of the impact, but keep it simplistic with your explanation of technology and make it relatable to their pain points, how it benefits their roles, responsibilities if possible.
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Navigating the Digital Transformation as a Strategic Leader. Nowadays IT Solutions become more and more Digital Solutions touching Technology but even more the business products & processes. Digital solutions redefine business, driving efficiency and market edge. Embrace innovation, align with goals, and empower teams. Data guides decisions are key for future success. Cultivate a culture open to new ideas. Bringing the stakeholders on board means continuous target group tailored communications with strong focus on business perspective instead of technology.
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Enlist the expertise of a certified change manager to develop a strategy for getting stakeholders on board to protect the investment in technology. Training is too late.
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When stakeholders don't grasp the value of innovative IT solutions, it's essential to communicate effectively. Break down the benefits in terms they understand, like cost savings, efficiency improvements, or competitive advantages. Providing concrete examples or case studies can also help illustrate the potential impact. Additionally, involving them in the decision-making process and addressing their concerns can build trust and alignment towards embracing innovation.
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When stakeholders don't understand the value of innovative IT solutions, tactful education is the key that unlocks their minds. As an IT Operations Manager, you need to address the "what's in it for me?" mentality. Tailor your training towards highlighting the benefits of the innovative IT solutions offer your stakeholders in easy-to-understand lingua.
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Stakeholder engagement is important because it helps build relationships, trust, and gain support for the organization's initiatives. This involves identifying relevant stakeholders, understanding their concerns, needs and expectations, and actively involving them in the decision-making process. You can: * Build a strong foundation of knowledge. * Develop active listening skills. * Establish trust and rapport. * Manage expectations. * Challenging conversations with stakeholders. * Engagement in ideas and brainstorming. * Let them feel as they are a valuable part of the team. … etc.
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When stakeholders don't understand the value of innovative IT solutions, it's essential to address their concerns and communicate the benefits effectively. Here's how you can approach it: Educate Stakeholders Focus on Business Value Tailor Communication Address Risks and Concerns Demonstrate Proof of Concept Engage Stakeholders Early and Often Showcase Success Stories Align with Strategic Objectives Provide Continuous Support and Training Measure and Communicate Results By employing these strategies, you can effectively communicate the value of innovative IT solutions to stakeholders and garner their support for driving organizational transformation and growth.
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The only way stakeholders can understand the value of IT innovation is when they are aware of the missing opportunities in dollar and cents for being too comfortable with status quo, without technological innovations. Most stakeholders can only see what is present in front of them and they had any drastic changes, these are amongst factors preventing them from understanding the value of IT innovation. Their reference will always be the past. "We've always been using the traditional way, it worked well so far, why should we bother with these hocus-pocus tech stuffs?" So show them their future.. illustrate to them and emphasize the monetary implications if they don't innovate.
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Educating tactfully is important when stakeholders don't grasp the value of innovative IT solutions because it helps build understanding and buy-in. Tactful education involves explaining complex technical concepts in a way that is accessible and relatable to stakeholders. It also involves highlighting the benefits and potential impact of the IT solutions on the organization's goals and objectives. By educating tactfully, IT professionals can overcome resistance and skepticism, paving the way for successful implementation of innovative solutions.
Understanding stakeholders' goals is essential for demonstrating the value of IT innovations. Show how the technology can directly contribute to achieving these objectives, whether it's increasing revenue, reducing costs, or improving customer satisfaction. Aligning IT solutions with business outcomes helps stakeholders see the practical benefits and makes the investment more justifiable.
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As a follow on from educating tactfully, Align the benefits of the innovative IT solutions offer your stakeholders with the pain points these solutions will address and how they will improve efficiency and productivity and more importantly, how they will help the organization achieve its overall goals and objectives. Once this is in view, acceptance levels are bound to increase.
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The key is not to start from the perspective of "Innovative IT solutions". The conversation needs to be about the transformation journey that the business is on, and the opportunities that could be unlocked. If it just so happens that there is an innovative IT solution that will allow this to be achieved, then great, but the conversation can't start from the technology.
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Understanding stakeholders' goals is essential for demonstrating the value of IT innovations because it allows IT professionals to align their solutions with stakeholders' needs and priorities. By understanding stakeholders' goals, IT professionals can tailor their communication and demonstrations to highlight how the innovations contribute to achieving those goals. This approach helps stakeholders see the direct impact of IT innovations on their objectives, increasing their buy-in and support. Additionally, understanding stakeholders' goals allows IT professionals to identify potential barriers or challenges and address them proactively, ensuring successful implementation of the innovations.
To convey the value of IT solutions, focus on tangible benefits. Highlight case studies or scenarios where similar innovations have led to success. Discuss the potential return on investment, efficiency gains, and competitive advantages that the solution can bring. By presenting concrete examples of benefits, you can make a compelling case for why the technology is worth pursuing.
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In my opinion, showcasing benefits would be the third prong in a three-prong fork. The other two being “Educate Tactfully” and “Align with Goals”. • What’s in it for me? • What’s in it for the business? • Where has it worked before? The elements of each of these steps are very much related and with a common goal in view. Effectively answering these three is what I believe to be the root of key stakeholders buy-in of any IT implementation.
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A very powerful tool when trying to outline the benefits of innovation is a good market analysis, including close competitors that have embraced innovation recently. Also, a historical look, showing bursts in sales when innovation was embraced, can help set the stage. Sometime stakeholder and leaders get too caught up in the current situation, and feel things are good enough at the moment. But by giving them a view of what the market will be like in the future, and the type of competition they might face, will help them be more forward looking, and receptive to change and innovation.
Stakeholders may have reservations about adopting new IT solutions. It's important to listen to their concerns and address them head-on. Whether it's about cost, implementation challenges, or disruption to current processes, provide clear and concise responses. Offer reassurance by outlining risk mitigation strategies and the support available to ensure a smooth transition.
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Innovation can be scary to some people, especially ones who have done a job a specific way for a long period of time. These innovations can come across as potentially being too difficult to learn, costing the person their job. Possibly it could also make them worried that their job will no longer be required, and therefore eliminated. Make sure you uncover any potential personal concerns, that do not directly involve the technology. Another side to this is people who feel they have done the job this way for decades, and it works just fine, and does not need innovation. Make sure to address the risks that they feel might come from change to something they feel already works.
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Understanding the viewpoint from other side is key. It may be that the team are so stretched that any significant change is going to overload them to a point where they cease to be able to function. Walk a mile in their shoes is an often used phrase that relevant here.
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Stakeholders may have reservations about adopting new IT solutions due to concerns about cost, disruption to existing processes, or uncertainty about the benefits. It's important to listen to their concerns and address them head-on to build trust and credibility. By addressing stakeholders' concerns, IT professionals can provide reassurance and clarity, helping to alleviate doubts and increase acceptance of the new solutions. Additionally, listening to stakeholders' feedback can lead to valuable insights that can improve the design and implementation of IT solutions.
Encourage stakeholders to participate in the decision-making process. By involving them in discussions, demonstrations, and pilot projects, they can see firsthand how the IT solutions work and contribute to improvements. Collaboration not only helps in building trust but also allows stakeholders to provide valuable input that can shape the implementation in a way that best suits their needs.
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It is also critical to get an idea of the power users in the groups that will be most impacted. These are the users that all the other users go to on the side with questions and concerns, and is considered the local trusted authority. If you can identify that person, and get them onboard with the changes, then the others will follow their lead. Their word will go a lot further towards getting the rest of the team involved, then any number of training sessions, PowerPoints, or Q&A sessions that IT might give. That person will also be an invaluable source of information on current systems, the way things are “really done”, and helping on testing and evaluating the future system.
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Fostering collaboration and engaging your stakeholders early enough in the implementation of your innovative IT solutions is very important in making them have a better understanding of the value of your innovative IT solutions. This involvement can serve as a "lubricant" to any hinderance you may be experiencing as an IT Operations manager.
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It's critical to encourage stakeholders to participate in the decision-making process because it increases their understanding and ownership of the IT solutions. By involving them in discussions, demonstrations, and pilot projects, stakeholders can see firsthand how the solutions work and contribute to improvements. This involvement also allows stakeholders to provide valuable feedback and insights that can enhance the effectiveness and relevance of the IT solutions. Ultimately, involving stakeholders in the decision-making process leads to better-informed decisions and greater support for the implementation of IT solutions.
Finally, establish metrics to measure the success of IT innovations. Define clear KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) that will track progress and outcomes. Regularly report these findings to stakeholders to show the ongoing value of the technology. This evidence-based approach can reinforce the benefits and help maintain stakeholder buy-in over time.
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C'est le baromètre de la valeur annoncée aux parties prenantes (quelle est la part de nos efforts qui crée de la valeur et quelle est celle qui entraine du gaspillage). Sans cette mesure, tous les efforts finiront par être dépréciés. Il est crucial de mesurer afin de s'ajuster au plus tôt quand cela est nécessaire. Le défi sera de trouver les bons indicateurs (non illusoires).
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Establishing metrics to measure the success and defining clear Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) of IT innovations is crucial for several reasons. First, it provides a clear framework for evaluating the impact and effectiveness of the innovations. Second, it helps track progress towards achieving the desired outcomes and objectives. Third, it enables stakeholders to make informed decisions and prioritize initiatives based on their impact. Finally, it facilitates accountability and transparency, ensuring that the IT innovations deliver tangible value to the organization.
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As a seasoned technology leader, prioritizing the innovation agenda is integral to an organization’s ability to grow and be successful. Also, as innovation is a significant contributor to operational efficiencies and excellence, the discussion of innovation needs to be part of the fabric of an organization . Therefore, in my experience, the conversation with stakeholders is always a business first technology second approach which helps to align value to business goals. I have found great success in establishing Innovation Committees where the agenda and conversation help to educate stakeholders on the innovation opportunities for the business. This commitment is an imperative to a stakeholder’s understanding of value.
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If stakeholders don't understand the value of innovative IT solutions, it's crucial to communicate effectively. Translate technical jargon into language they understand, highlighting how these solutions address specific business challenges or opportunities. Provide concrete examples or case studies showcasing successful implementations and the resulting benefits. Additionally, involve stakeholders early in the decision-making process, seeking their input and addressing any concerns they may have. Building trust and demonstrating the potential return on investment can help garner support for innovative IT initiatives.
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