New users of SAP software often find challenges when doing something for the first time. It’s natural, of course, as we learn by repetition and experiential learning best. So, it is upon the software implementation specialist, training manager, or team manager to empower new employees (or veteran employees who are now first familiarizing themselves to SAP) and help them gain self-confidence in their ability to use their skills, creativity and talent to solve problems, make sound decisions and competently perform tasks.
Teams that are confident in their abilities to solve problems and perform tasks will not only ease the work of the team manager or IT support by reducing dependence, but will also perform with increased productivity and proficiency.
So how should we go about getting new SAP users to that level?
Below are 3 ways to boost SAP new user confidence.
1. Importance of Employee-Manager Communication
It’s important to give positive feedback to new users who are progressing on learning required SAP processes. Be clear and specific in your communication. This way, you will clearly be communicating your compliments and, in turn, the new employees will gain confidence and learn to value their work. As employee communicators, team managers need to ensure their staff are kept up-to-date with key information about key projects, their team, training and the company itself so that they can fully understand the role they play in achieving company objectives, strategy and plans (short- and long-term). This will also ensure they are engaged with and actively support the team within company guidelines by working at optimum efficiency. Also – make sure that you realize communication is multi-directional. Get feedback from the employees and value it.
2. Effective SAP Training
Every new employee will admit to having some difficulty with company software. The importance of SAP training cannot be overemphasized. You can begin by giving employees tasks they can handle, as you gradually increase the level of difficulty, as they gain competency.
Provide sufficient training that is required because having the skills necessary to perform a task adequately and competently is a true confidence-booster. Employees will come to appreciate it when they learn that you are giving them responsibilities that are valued. Adequate training will empower employees handle their jobs with confidence, trusting their ability to complete a task competently. However, in your guidance or mentoring process, don’t tell them how to do their job. If possible, allow them to make some few errors, as they will learn in the process.
3. Post-Training Continued Support
Post-training challenges are common. Since you are responsible for employee training and performance, your job is to reduce the gap between employee skill level when they finish their training, and the time they’re fully proficient. You can reduce this by requesting direct post-training feedback to assess their satisfaction, insisting on immediate use of their knowledge when it is still fresh on their minds so that employees can value the knowledge they just received, and setting up continuous performance monitoring and application of skills and knowledge acquired during training.
All-in-all, building SAP new user confidence comes down to building trust among themselves, coworkers and managers. The more confident employees feel about their skill sets, ability and resources around them, the more likely they are to become more productive, more competent, and less likely to flee from challenges.