If You Build It, Will They Come? How To Create User Adoption Of HR Software Applications

I want HR practitioners to really leverage the HR software that they purchase. Every single day, HR software is purchased by HR practitioners. For this discussion think "software" as in systems, platforms, applications, point solutions, etc... even more granular think; recruiting (ATS- applicant tracking system), performance, succession, compensation, learning, HRIS, payroll, etc., etc., etc.

No one wants to admit it publicly but most HR software is NOT adopted by users and/or admins. Sure HR uses some of the software they purchase but only a fraction. Sales people sell HR software based features, benefits and attributes of said software. Over the past few years HR practitioners have fallen in love with the GUI (graphical user interface) of HR Software. Needless to say, HR software firms have churched up their software, added some sizzle and viola... HR software looks better than it did 5 years ago. So what. It looks better, it's delivered differently – SaaS (software as a service) versus on-premise, etc. Again, so what. If users don't use the software then the ultimate value is never gleaned.

In most companies, HR has to build a business case for software purchases. A part of said business case is some sort of fuzzy math ROI calculation and/or cost benefit analysis for the expenditure. I think largely these calculations are fraudulent because I have yet to see an ROI calculation that takes into account differing levels of user acceptance of said software. They all assume 100% user adoption.

What makes this so crazy is that most HR professionals are terrible at managing change when it comes to the HR software they purchase. They tend to think too much about the selection of the "right" software and less about what happens next (read: post-sale). Don't get me wrong - selection is important but I honestly feel that one can have the "wrong" software but if it is truly accepted by users... you'll get more out of it than the "right" software that is poorly accepted by users. Of course, if one could combine the "right" software with phenomenal user acceptance... then I believe HR could unlock all the potential of said software. In case you're curious, here's why HR does a poor job managing change in regards to HR software. It's getting the following factors all wrong:

- Communication strategy (who, what, when, where, why, etc.)
- Anxiety management (we're going to take care of you... no matter what)
- Expectation management (yesterday you did, tomorrow you'll do)
- Onboarding (treating users humanely & getting them excited about the future)

So the purpose of my presentation is to help practitioners resolve these change management gaps. I’ll communicate best practices for both new HR software purchases as well as how to garner user adoption of existing software purchases.

HR, PHR, SPHR, GPHR, Director of HR, VP HR, SVP HR, EVP HR, CHRO, HRIS, HRIT

All Registered HR.com members are also eligible for:

(1) http://www.fistfuloftalent.com/2011/04/no-such-thing-as-black-people-music.html (2) http://www.fistfuloftalent.com/2011/03/damn-id-like-to-tag-that.html (3) http://www.fistfuloftalent.com/2011/03/hr-and-donuts.html (4) http://www.fistfuloftalent.com/2011/02/waste-not-want-not.html

		William Tincup Tincup & Co. View Profile

This webcast is available to all registered HR.com members for free. You are currently subscribed to HR.com as a Free Member.

Click the button to access this webcast. Archives, MP3 and PowerPoint slides

Participants in the live webcast will need access to a computer connected to the Internet. HR.com highly recommends you test your computer in advance of the webcasts.

Once you register for the webcasts, full login instructions will be sent to you 24 and 2 hours prior to going live. You must run the system test to ensure you can access the session.