Overcoming Staff Resistance To Technology

Has there been resistance to using technology among your staff? How do you overcome it?

Yes, we have experienced some challenges in introducing new technology. We continue to train and reinforce using these tools to improve effectiveness and efficiency.
— Mark Melzer, President, NASSCO, New Berlin, Wisconsin


We did not. As we expanded our technology offering we presented it in an exciting way that shows how it makes the job easier or in sales how they will make more income and they are eager to learn. Most people find technology changes scary; if you can make it fun and exciting people are more at ease.
— Eric Cadell, Vice President of Operations, Dutch Hollow Janitorial Supplies, Belleville, Illinois


Generally the staff who resist these tools are more seasoned staff members and less familiar with using the internet in their daily activities. With that being said, even they are changing through their smartphones and interaction with younger family members. Sometimes they are forced to learn to text, Skype and Facetime to communicate with children or grandkids. Life is pulling them in this direction even more than company sponsored training and tutorials, which we offer.
— Linda Silverman, President, Maintex, City of Industry, California


We have not had a resistance problem but that is because we constantly communicate the need to embrace the technology.
— Chris Nolan, President, H.T. Berry, Canton, Massachusetts


Yes, there has been some resistance to upgrading our systems. In order to overcome it, I try to show the capabilities of other jan/san distributors as well as prepare an ROI.
— Andrew S. Parker, Vice President, T. Frank McCall's Inc., Chester, Pennsylvania


Very little, we are a selling organization. They all realize that we have to be the best we can and stay ahead of anyone else in this business.
— Jim Smith, Executive Vice President, HP Products, Indianapolis


Almost everyone has embraced it because we show what it can do for them although we have a few more mature people who struggle with it. The people who struggle aren't necessarily resistant but they are just lacking the experience with technology. They are learning though.
— Scott Uselman, Manager and Director of Sales, High Point Sanitary Solutions, Houston


Dan Weltin is the editor-in-chief of Sanitary Maintenance and Contracting Profits