EDITOR ’ S QUESTION
RAEFORD LIEBENBERG , MANAGER , SILVER MOON IT
Software tools have immense power to change the way businesses run and operate , as they can simplify tasks , facilitate collaboration , automate processes .
Many organisations spend significant amounts on software that is designed to boost productivity and help employees to be more efficient in their day-to-day jobs . However , without appropriate training on the software , these benefits can often be eroded . This can have a negative impact on business productivity as well as the effectiveness of the IT department , as their focus is pulled from critical tasks through a constant need for support and guidance on software-related issues .
Ensuring that all staff have been trained on the software they need to use is essential for optimising the business , enabling IT to be more focused , and empowering employees in their own learning and capabilities .
Many software tools have immense power to change the way businesses run and operate , as they can simplify tasks , facilitate collaboration , automate processes and more . However , when people are not empowered to use tools optimally , they may be unable to complete their tasks effectively and opportunities for innovation could be missed , which ultimately leads to potential financial loss . It can also be frustrating for employees to try and figure tools out on their own , creating friction that can decrease job satisfaction .
This lack of knowledge and , or confidence in their ability to use tools can result in an over-reliance on IT to solve the most minor of queries and problems . By delegating these tasks to IT , they hinder their own growth and limit their ability to fully leverage the software ’ s potential .
In addition , lack of software knowledge can burden an already-stretched IT department , as they are constantly required to provide support and guidance for softwarerelated issues , which detracts them from focusing on more critical IT tasks such as security and system maintenance . This can result in reduced efficiency and delayed resolution of crucial IT concerns .
Promoting and prioritising training can face challenges , as organisations may be reluctant to allocate resources and time to training initiatives , seeing them as optional or non-essential . In addition , employees may perceive software training as time-consuming or unnecessary , failing to recognise the long-term benefits and improved productivity that come with a deeper understanding of the tools they use .
The reality though is that training is more than just a tick-box exercise ; it is an investment in the workforce ’ s skills and the organisation ’ s overall efficiency and competitiveness . It is important for organisations to provide the resources to help employees learn more about the software they use .
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