{"id":2804,"date":"2006-04-01T11:09:48","date_gmt":"2006-04-01T16:09:48","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/72.167.124.155\/tilt-uptoday\/?p=2804"},"modified":"2015-06-08T03:47:10","modified_gmt":"2015-06-08T08:47:10","slug":"needed-training-lack-of-training-biggest-hindrance-to-software-success","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tilt-up.org\/tilt-uptoday\/2006\/04\/01\/needed-training-lack-of-training-biggest-hindrance-to-software-success\/","title":{"rendered":"Needed: Training — Lack of Training Biggest Hindrance to Software Success"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

By: Randy Collins<\/em>
\n President of The Strategies Group<\/em><\/p>\n

In an industry crazed with training, certifications and continuing education, contractors often fall short with regard to internal processes, including software. Contracting firms may be good at allocating dollars\u00a0to maintain professional licenses or keeping up with the latest OSHA requirements, but they often overlook the need to train accounting and estimating personnel. The software these professionals use can easily\u00a0be considered the backbone of a contractor\u2019s business. By realizing the importance of training these employees and by understanding how to implement an appropriate training program, firm owners can reap the rewards of more effective employees and a more profitable bottom line.<\/p>\n

DISPROVING THE MYTHS<\/strong><\/p>\n

One of the biggest mistakes owners make is not providing adequate training for accounting, estimating or CAD software systems. This lack of training often occurs due to misconceptions about the software. For instance, many people mistakenly believe training isn\u2019t necessary to operate the software. Approximately 30 percent of the companies evaluating software ask if training on a new system is an option. The answer is (and always should be) a resounding \u201cNo!\u201d Buying a software package that is vital for business operations and not investing in initial training is like buying a new airplane without taking flying lessons. It looks good sitting on the runway, but it will never get from point A to point B without someone\u00a0trained to fly it.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

Some companies may train employees when a new software system\u00a0is installed but fail to train new employees when turnover occurs, believing that current employees can adequately train new hires. While this appears to be a frugal option,\u00a0it most often fails. The people who are originally trained in the software may only remember 70 percent of its functions. These current employees train new users based on what they remember about the program, and over time, many of the software\u2019s functions and features get lost and unused.<\/p>\n

Similarly, contracting firms often provide initial training when the software is installed but then offer no new training on the latest features\u00a0in the new version. Again, in this situation, the user is not operating the software to its full potential and is not entirely effective. However, if contractors realized the dollars they miss due to inadequate training, they would soon realize that training easily pays for itself.<\/p>\n

LOOKING AT THE NUMBERS<\/strong><\/p>\n

Though a training class can seem expensive, when compared to\u00a0the amount that can be saved by increased efficiency, the cost is negligible. For example, consider the case of an estimator who has received inadequate training for his estimating software. If this estimator\u2019s salary is $80,000 per year, by the time benefits are included, the company may be spending close to $100,000 per year on this employee. At 40\u00a0hours a week for 50 weeks a year, the estimator earns approximately $50 per hour.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

If the estimator attends a $400 training class, he can increase his efficiency by a conservative estimate of 20 percent. The company gains roughly 300 hours \u2013 or $15,000 — of his time throughout the year. Plus, the estimator can use his extra time throughout the year to work on culling new business for the firm. The cost of the class quickly pays for itself.<\/p>\n

When the numbers are considered, training becomes a no-brainer. And once firm owners make a commitment to providing adequate software training, they must also be able\u00a0to implement an effective training program. To get the most out of a training program, firm owners need to ask the following questions:<\/p>\n