| When a small business has conducted a thorough | | | | company or certified freelance consultant. Alternatively, |
| analysis on whether or not it requires a database - | | | | if the software is simple or intuitive enough, a |
| although 99% of them do - and comes to choosing a | | | | nominated staff member could be fully trained or |
| database package, it is a decision more critical than a | | | | certified in its use; this person could then cascade the |
| large multinational organization would make in similar | | | | training down through the existing members of staff on |
| circumstances. | | | | a one-to-one basis, minimizing the amount of time they |
| Since small businesses by their nature tend to be more | | | | and other staff members would be away from their |
| collaborative than large companies, more users will | | | | positions and maximizing the efficiency of the team. |
| require access to the program, possibly at the same | | | | Investing in key staff like this is a proven benefit for the |
| time. The package therefore has to be robust enough | | | | organization and makes employees feel more valued |
| to ensure stability with multiple, possibly synchronous | | | | and respected by the company. It will help staff |
| access. Also, with employees working closer together | | | | retention numbers too. |
| in a small business both in terms of physical proximity | | | | Once you have selected the small business database |
| and project collaboration, if there are any shortcomings | | | | package and embarked on the implementation and |
| with the package then you can expect to hear about | | | | training regime, it will be important to adapt it to how |
| them more quickly and strongly than in a larger | | | | your business operates on a day-to-day basis. This is |
| company where the package implementation is | | | | one of the key advantages of modern database |
| announced rather than an actual consultation taking | | | | software - that although their primary purpose is to |
| place. | | | | store information in a logical and easily retrievable |
| The first stage therefore should be to canvass opinion | | | | manner, they can be adapted in various ways to best |
| amongst employees who would primarily use the | | | | fit the pattern of use an organization puts them to. The |
| software both for their suggestions and analysis and | | | | better the package, the more adaptable it is and easy |
| ideas on how the small business database package | | | | to use with other software packages such as |
| could be best integrated into your existing office | | | | spreadsheets, presentation and word processing |
| systems. | | | | software. |
| Training on the system should be the next area to | | | | When selecting and installing small business database |
| tackle - larger organizations can arrange away-days | | | | software, the organization must put its employees and |
| and have several team members missing for a period | | | | likely users firmly in the driving seat because it is by |
| of time while they familiarize themselves with the new | | | | their correct use and implementation that will ultimately |
| program - but many small businesses do not have this | | | | decide if the software is a success or a costly drain |
| luxury. As a result, training would have to take place | | | | on the company at a time when maximum efficiency |
| on-site with an accredited trainer from the software | | | | must be harnessed and profit achieved. |