There are two types of tools–the ones your team likes and the ones your team feels like they have to use.
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The question remains: why not both? Every team has tools they’re really into using, but they often get shut down for not being approved by management as a sanctioned tool. So instead, the team is forced to use a tool they’re not wild about. This leads to folks underutilizing or worse, slowing down their output because the software simply isn’t helping them be more productive.
But it doesn’t have to be this way. Here are some tips and best practices for convincing your boss to adopt the tools you and your team actually want to use.
We’ve wrapped up an entire ebook filled with strategies for convincing your boss to adopt the tools you love:
What If They Don’t Listen?
The thought of suggesting something new to the management teams at your company can be nerve wracking. What if they don’t listen? What if they say no? It’s tough to put yourself out there.
But here’s a comforting stat: 96% of managers surveyed actually said they value employee ideas and feedback, even going so far as to cite it as a contributor to company success.
So go ahead—vouch for that tool. After all, you miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.
Pinpoint Team Pain Points
When it comes to presenting the idea of a new tool adoption to your manager, it’s best to proceed thoughtfully. One of the key elements of making an effective case is appealing not to the things you care about, but rather, what the benefit is to the people to whom you’re appealing. According to a survey done by PwC, the three top issues that executives are currently facing are efficiency, growth, and security.
Take efficiency, for example. Productivity, workflows, and collaboration play a huge role in whether a company works efficiently. Let’s break down the pain point and the pitch.
- Pain point: You notice your boss is frustrated with tracking task statuses and deliverables when teams work remotely or are spread out across multiple office locations.
- Tailored pitch: You use Trello to organize your daily tasks, collaborate with team members on projects, and keep a pulse on deliverables for which you’re responsible. You think Trello would help solve efficiency issues if implemented team or company-wide.
Box, checked. ✅
For more ways to effectively structure decision makers pain points, and to learn how Trello addresses them specifically, check out our in-depth ebook: “Convince Your Boss: How To Get Buy-In For The Tools You Want”
Get Other Stakeholders On Board
Since research shows it’s more difficult to champion new tools without the support of others in your company, invite them to join the conversation. In doing so, you give them ownership of the initiative and help democratize the pitch.
Presenting your tool to others in the company is also good practice. You can ask for feedback, get perspectives on features, address any concerns early on, and get them on board with potential change. Others might have access to data that can strengthen your pitch, or have an established relationship with key decision makers that can help get your proposal in front of the right people.
Compel And Connect
Humans are conditioned to recognize and remember stories. In fact, presentations that weave in stories are seven times more memorable than presentations that rely solely on facts.
Stories humanize an experience for your audience and the good news is you don’t have to look far for one—you are your story. Remember all those pain points you listed out earlier? Take your story and tie it to those decision maker concerns.
Statistics make great supporting details, but they should never be the main focus of your presentation. Too much data can overwhelm an audience and might cause them to tune out mid-presentation.
So, how do you use statistics and data effectively? By choosing the most important ones, like the cost of the new tool, estimated implementation of ramp-up time, or forecasted impact on the problem.
Remember, getting buy-in for the tools you love requires empathy for your teammates’ pain points, and a shared desire to work more productively together. Now, take these tips, and go out there and wow ‘em.
How to pitch the right story your bosses on adopting Trello:
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