How do you
get mobile staff to embrace new mobile devices and wireless software?
Some mobile
staff commonly resist moving from paper to wireless applications – particularly
if they are not regular desktop computer users. This resistance can be overt,
or more perniciously, covert. We have regularly encountered situations where a
field staff member insists the device is not working but it works when other
people use it and the server logs show that it is working correctly. Furthermore,
we have examples where people later admitted that they had intentionally tried
to sabotage the application.
One of our
customers had an excellent idea. He requires his staff to get checked out on
the device. After training and a few days in the field, the field staffer needs
to demonstrate competence on the device – completing standard tasks along with
routine restart and error recovery.
Once
competence has been demonstrated, the staffer gets a free day off.
Both parts
of this idea are good:
1. Have the
staffer demonstrate to someone else that they know what they are doing. This is
a step beyond sitting in a training class and shows they really know what they
are doing.
2. Provide a reward for the effort.
