Weir says it was a big plus to be able to take the industry knowledge of his staff and apply it to some other aspect of the business. The two employees now in land development are doing the legwork and research for land deals to help the company grow.
“We were able to shift two people and put them into more productive work,” says Weir, who adds that the ability to cut one position saved the company a $50,000 annual salary.
Software can always help builders cut heads, but the best way to get employees to really buy in is to show them it can take over time-consuming tasks and free them up for more interesting, rewarding work that helps the company grow. Shifting people around, especially when they can be put in more strategic roles, is one visible way to show that the new software is not the Grim Reaper.
Investigator's Notebook
The Case: Is information technology worth the investment?
The Investigation: Looking for quantifiable business pay-offs from technology.
The Evidence: Back-office software and Web-based collaboration tools that more effectively manage a building company.
The Verdict: Improved gross margins, reduced phone calls, ability to grow with same amount or fewer people, shift experienced staff to more productive jobs.