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Technology Performance Coaching

We provide a new concept in business development via a unique blend of business and personal coaching techniques to help you get the most out of your technology. This takes the pressure off an IT department and helps focus on marketing activities.

This unique service has developed out of our experience within the technology industry spanning over twenty years, click the button below to download our brochure.

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Introduction

It is rarely your product or service that is the reason behind poor business performance; often it is due to a lack of strategic planning of how technology will be used in your organisation.

To purposefully participate in the world of commerce we have to understand and embrace the fact that technology is fundamental to our participation. Without it we cannot compete on the same level as our competitors.

Technology Performance Coaching closes the gaps between knowing what you want in your business and how to implement it, combined with establishing the technology resources you need without being “sold” something you don’t want or need.

Failing to plan for the effective use of technology will simply mean that your business will not benefit from the intended use of the equipment and will create stress for you and your staff.

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It has become an acceptable excuse to "not know" how the technology works. Now is the time to change.

Coaching provides the following:

• focus on achieving the maximum profit from technology by applying sales and marketing strategies combined with management awareness to support administration and customer support.
• helps you to understand effective integration
• helps you to specify and source profitable solutions
• helps you to support and coach staff in its use
• provides you with the tools to review technology on an ongoing basis within your business environment, i.e. your workplace, your industry and your market
• helps you to address your technology needs embracing the expectations of your customer and how they want to communicate with you

We provide informal, yet highly customized support based upon coaching models. Our aim is to work with you, within your business and culture – not to shoehorn you into our way of thinking.

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Our viewpoint

Technology is a fundamental and integral part of your business and when it isn’t working to its fullest potential it is barely serving you. In one way it is just like a member of your staff – it not only needs to be managed, it also needs to be regularly appraised and reviewed to maintain its performance.

We take a holistic approach when looking at your business technology; what it is, what it does, cost of ownership, how it is used, who uses it, could it be improved upon? And most importantly – is it making you money?

We are facilitators who guide you through the process of evaluating your technology within the context of your environment, i.e. within your workplace, industry and market place.

And it doesn’t matter where you are in the technology-buying process; coaching can be enormously beneficial to ascertain your current needs and issues and your focus for the future, even if you have no definite plans to purchase anything new.

For example, if you are considering changing your telephone system, it has probably been some time since your last upgrade and technology has evolved. At Clearvoice we coach you in how to source and specify the right solution for your business, ensuring that the system is compatible with other products you already use or may want to use in the future. We’re also able to offer information and advice on the latest solutions aimed at increasing profitability and business efficiency.

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How we work?

The process is very similar to executive/business coaching in that you know your business implicitly, i.e. what it “looks” like now. You are, therefore the best person to decide what you want your business to “look” like in the future.

We help you achieve the following:

• Define what you need for your business now and for future growth.
• Complete a Return on Investment (ROI) analysis to determine the value of the equipment and how you expect it to perform in financial terms.
• Help you to ask the right questions of suppliers to establish whether their offering will serve your business as it grows and develops.
• Help you to draft an implementation plan to meet your timescales and expectations.
• Draw up your expectations for Training, After-Care and Support to be met by your supplier.
• Create a technology team to oversee the implementation, support and on-going training either internally or with your supplier.
• Draw up a Review Plan in conjunction with your ROI to be carried out at regular intervals to measure the financial rewards and the performance of the equipment in relation to internal and external factors, your staff and your customers.
• Create a marketing plan to work in conjuction with technology to ensure sustainable growth and profitability.
• Draw up a coaching programme for staff to measure their use of the systems to your pre-defined targets.

Action

Who needs to be involved?

The choice is yours however we recommend at least one member of staff from each level of hierarchy, e.g. Director, Senior Manager, Supervisor, Administrator, Sales team member, Accounts and IT.

It doesn’t matter if some of the roles overlap, however it is important to have a balanced overview of your company from each perspective and allow each department to address how the technology works within their own frame of reference.

By not defining your expectations of your equipment, suppliers and staff, the “investment” in your technology could rapidly become a waste of time, money and resources and will cost you and your business dearly.

What should you do now?

Start by contacting us either by telephone or Web Chat to set up a meeting, if you haven't read our Services page on the Clearvoice Consuilting site, take a look to see our approach.

We want you to feel comfortable and relaxed with us to ensure your company gets the most out of our involvement.

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How do you know when you employ a member of staff that they have the basic computer literacy skills you need?

It's a dilemma. On the whole, our schools turn out well rounded individuals who have been brought up on video games, Xbox, Playstation, You Tube and text messages (they even text without looking at the keypad!) But the people who are employed haven't all just left school - they are somewhat older.

So, when you receive a CV for a new member of staff and they tell you that they've used a multitude of office products, it is safe to say that most business owners accept that the applicant is computer literate and often don't verify their skills. The reality is that computer literacy often only means that they can use Microsoft Word!

We can't really demand too much of those who know just enough to get by, which is why we advocate a structure which lays out clearly and concisely, screen by screen,  the functions of your software systems. You will then be on your way to achieving an environment where everyone knows what they're supposed to do, and can all actually do it - consistently and to your standard.

Our approach is to help you structure and implement a plan whereby everyone has your company's basic level of training and not someone elses.