Think about the last time you had to learn something new. Whether it was a job or a new skill, it likely involved a learning curve.

This is especially true when learning new funeral home software. There’s data to transfer, processes to adjust, and all the while, you and your team have to conduct business as usual.

While the process can feel intimidating, there are ways you can make the switch without the stress.

Here are 4 tips to help you implement new software and achieve success from the start.

#1: Tell your team (and get their buy-in, too!). 

It sounds obvious: you’re switching software, and it affects everyone, so of course you’ll tell the team. But a successful transition requires more than just an announcement.

Start by communicating the “why” behind the change and the benefits of the new software. For example:

• Will it save time on case management?

• Will it reduce paperwork and errors?

• Will it simplify daily tasks?

When your team understands how the software will make their jobs easier, they’re more likely to embrace the change.

Next, set their expectations in the right place and increase their confidence to learn new software by communicating:

• Which processes will change

• What training and practice opportunities will be available

• When they will start using the software with families

When your staff is on board with the plan from the beginning, they'll be more willing to learn and use the software over time.

Read more about how to successfully gain buy-in from your staff here. >>>

#2: Embrace the learning curve.

Your old software may have had inefficiencies, but you knew it inside and out. With a new system, everything looks and feels different.

That’s why it’s important to embrace the learning curve. It’s unrealistic to think you’ll be an expert on day one even if you are tech-savvy. Make sure to stay open to learning new features as your processes change and improve.

Here are a few things to keep in mind as you learn:

• Be patient - Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither are new processes.

• Be proactive - Look for ways you can be more efficient with your new software.

• Be adaptable - Ask your team for feedback as you implement and learn new things.

At the end of the day, slow adoption is better than no adoption. That way, you can add more features over time and get the full return on your investment, instead of paying for software you barely use.

#3: Adjust your processes.

New software can mean tweaking old workflows to fit. This doesn't mean you need to do a complete overhaul of your processes overnight - learning a new software is a big enough task already!

Set your staff up for success by making smaller changes to your old processes as you go. Here are 4 different process topics to get you thinking:

1. Permissions: Who will have access to what information in the new software?

2. Data entry: Who enters the case information and when should it be entered in?

3. Accounting: When and how should your bookkeeper receive and send financial information?

4. Reporting: What reports are you accustomed to and when are you receiving them?

It might seem like extra work up front, but trust us, it’s worth it. By adjusting your processes, you’ll find new ways to be efficient in your business.