Perhaps its only coincidence but in the past few weeks I have been asked by several customers about the same problem: We have created a great solution but its usage is still quite poor. Why?
Well in general it is difficult to get a group of people to do what you would like them to do (every manager knows that by own experience). If you then add the nature of complexity and most peoples reluctance to change to it you end up with low compliance regarding processes, methodologies and system usage.
You could either shrug of your shoulders and pretend that this is just normal – thus accepting it and missing a big part of the benefits of your purchasing activities. Or you could do something about it – and there is plenty of things that could be done about it:
- Set up purchasing policies that include your processes, methodologies and system.
- Define a communication plan and use all existing channels (e.g. in a Newsletter, in your Intranet, in your Company Publication…)
- Perform trainings, roadshows and presentations to super-users, users and management.
- Form alliances by including other departments.
There are sure even more things you could do – just be creative!
But the most important thing is:
Assign a dedicated resource with enough time for this! And by that you shouldn´t assign this work to a strategic buyer that already has plenty of other things to do and isn´t measured on it. Assign someone who is measured on this compliance and who will fight for the usage of your tools.
In most of the cases where system compliance was low, change management activities have been neglected. Its about time to change this if you want to succeed with your initiatives!
/Abdülkadir Tekin / IBX Consulting
