As you think about business objectives and evolving market demands, you’ve likely considered mass notifications and technology integrations as crucial tools to get you where you want to go. Researchers from McKinsey to Gartner and more stress that organizations that fail to build new tech capabilities in the next few months risk falling very far behind.
You already know that. You’ve done your homework, know what tech capabilities and integrations you need, but need the internal buy-in of decision-makers before you can move forward.
In this post, we’ll walk you through five steps to facilitate internal discussions so that all stakeholders feel they’re getting something out of your proposed investment. Though the following advice is common sense, skipping past any of these steps could block or slow your progress. The devil, as the saying goes, is in the details.
1. Identify current gaps or threats, and what they cost the organization.
What’s at stake if leaders in your organization do nothing, or are slow to act? What will the current state of things cost them?
Is it lost productivity? Do current conditions put people, property, or profits at risk? Other costs might include missed opportunities, poor audience engagement, slow turnaround, regulatory violations, and even personal costs like a blow to someone’s reputation or their ability to meet performance goals.
When you point out what stakeholders stand to lose by doing nothing, they’re more likely to perk up and pay attention.
2. Inventory existing technology resources that can be integrated to cover those gaps.
Technology upgrades sound expensive, but they don’t have to be. In reality, you can enhance communications, security and operational efficiencies dramatically leveraging your existing technology systems — even those legacy, disparate systems that weren’t built to work together.
Here’s a sample illustration of technologies that can be integrated to automate steps and increase the reach and speed of your mass notifications:
What can those integrations do for you? Leaders at organizations who’ve worked with us report benefits including:
- Ability to reach select audiences instantly with routine or emergency messaging
- Ability to disseminate time-sensitive alerts in multiple formats and vehicles so no recipient misses critical instructions
- Faster emergency response and resolution
- Ability to manage all communications and security systems from a unified dashboard
- Improved operations, productivity, staff and customer experiences
- Less chance of human error, fewer delays and manual steps in communicating or protecting people and property
Of course, when engaging internal decision-makers, your most compelling benefits are those that counter the gaps and risks you identified in Step 1 above.
3. Cover additional, “above-and-beyond” benefits
What’s even better than a solution to a pressing problem in your organization? It’s a solution that can also benefit other areas of the business.
Here’s what we mean: Often, leaders come to us because they need to improve the accuracy and speed of their emergency response. But then they find they can apply the same capabilities to save money, reduce staff workload, build rapport with customers or partners, get more done in fewer steps, and more.
It’s the difference between getting a snack to satisfy your hunger and getting a three-course meal that can feed your whole team.
4. Boost your persuasion with social proof points.
Proof points like case studies, testimonials from leaders at organizations like yours, industry experts and studies are all simple but powerful ways to boost your credibility and make your proposed investment more compelling.
The intent is to show your recommended action is supported by others who know your industry, who’ve done their homework, and who’ve solved similar problems. (Need a hand? We’ll help you compile proof points. Just ask.)
5. Secure a small “yes.”
Studies show that people are more likely to say “yes” when they’ve already said “yes” to previous questions or requests — even if they’re teeny-tiny asks like a request for a call, guidance, or introduction.
With that in mind, don’t underestimate the value of securing a small “yes”: something that’s not intimidating nor requires a big commitment. That small “yes” could be an agreement to meet with you for 20 minutes, share feedback, or join you for an expert demo, consultation, or assessment. (The Layered Solutions crew is happy to provide all three!)
Final thoughts
As you take next steps, it’s helpful to keep in mind that you don’t have to replace all your existing technology systems, nor spend a ton of money. In addition to leveraging technologies you already own, integrations can benefit multiple departments, which means you have multiple budgets to pull from.
Finally, mass notifications and tech integrations give you so much more than great emergency management. It’s no stretch to expect integrations to double or triple your ability to enhance operations, profits, productivity, customer and staff experiences.
>> Need guidance, a complimentary consultation or supporting resources? We’re happy to help. Get in touch and we’ll get you the answers you need.
