Legal Network understands the ever-changing needs law firms – leaders in innovative technologies and methodologies.
Conversion Headaches?
From Legal Network News
Information technology within the legal community is changing at break neck speed and conversions are taking place more frequently than ever before. Where it was acceptable to have a system/software for 5-10 years, it is now changing at a 3-5 year pace.
Detailed analysis concerning your specific system/software needs and applications are mandatory on a regular schedule. This should be your beginning point to determine where you want to be positioned in the legal marketplace in terms of computer sophistication. Implementation of your decision is truly where the headaches start!
We've picked our software and applications, now the important question - "When do we want to have our system up and running with all training completed?" Here is where the true meaning of the word "conversion" takes full impact. Now we must move everyone from one application to another.
Based on the staffing that we have completed with several of our clients - we have some suggested do's of planning your training and how to staff the desks while individuals are being trained.
Do plan training outside the holiday season. Even though we think of the holiday season as fun and positive - in reality it is a very stressful time for all concerned parties. Companies and Firms are completing year end deadlines. Add the demands of home life and you have a stressful season. This is also the peak temporary season. The number of individuals available is drastically reduced.
Do provide coverage for all clerical desks. Just because people are being trained, it doesn't mean that the work is on hold till the conversion is completed. While the individuals are being trained - have personnel that know the old software sit at the desk while the full-time personnel are receiving the new software training.
Do provide follow up with assistance to the secretarial/ paralegal staff to help them put the new software application into reality. Just because they get 1-5 days of training does not indicate they can function at the same speed as before on the old software. This follow up can be the opportunity to re-train on certain applications.
Do plan to do the training in a consistent manner. Set up a regular schedule with a minimum of training breaks. This also ensures the consistency of having the same temporary workers for the whole project.
Do make sure that the temporary personnel get the proper training into your Firm's culture, policies and procedures. 1-2 hours of training with the temporaries will greatly benefit all parties.
As you approach the time when you need to plan your training activities - call us to help you plan and staff the project. We will be happy to share with you our experiences and positive ways to implement your new software.
Happy Conversion!!!