Why user adoption is critical for any unified communication deployment

1. Start with a sponsorship team that includes the line of business owners, IT and telecom managers, and a sampling of end-users, from sales reps to admins. The earlier they can be brought into the planning process, the better.
 

2. Next, get buy-in from the top. C-level and other executives can set an example and drive adoption for the rest of the company by using team collaboration, video, and other UC functionality for internal communications.
 

3. Identify “power users” who will be advocates for the UC solution and help others see the value and benefits of these tools. They can help drive usage and make the UCC tools go viral.

4. Build excitement and do internal marketing before deploying the solution. This can be as basic as hanging posters around the office or doing hands-on road shows where people get to try out the products.

5. Training, training, training. Perhaps the most important part of a user adoption strategy is end-user training. Training includes both the how and the why. Focus on how to use the various features and capabilities, as well as why employees should use the UC solution and the benefits they’ll attain. When workers see the value that UCC provides to their productivity, they’re more likely to integrate it into their daily routine.

6. Focus on change management. UC isn’t just about technology – it’s a new way of working for most people. Using team collaboration tools, for example, can be a challenge for workers that are more comfortable working in isolation rather than collaborating with team members.

Successful UCC deployments providing the expected benefits and return on investment depend on workers using and adopting the tools and technologies provided. If you deploy it, they will come – but have a strategy in place to help ensure adoption!