Non-technical job opportunities are increasing. Perhaps, that’s surprising in this world of tech dominance. But, there may be a connection. For one thing, the global competition enabled by worldwide technology has also increased the value of customer relationships. And, at least half of those customers insist on dealing with live people. Also, until technology has the ability to essentially think judiciously and strategically, non-tech jobs in finance, marketing, engineering and sales need people.
It’s not that these positions don’t use hardware and software in their work. However, such tools do not define or dominate the work. And, these people need more software developed for and targeted to the non-technical user.
Give Them The Attention They Need
With the help of successful software, you can identify some key issues facing software providers:
- Train and prepare. Really good training materials are rare. The materials and presenters must deal with a range of learners in situations where the weaker are intimidated by the more experienced. It’s not easy, but materials must strike a balance between the beginner and the expert.
- Data storage and security. Even the most experienced users may be storage ignorant. They don’t know or don’t care if the storage is saved to a device or cloud. And, without clear and constant communication, users unwittingly violate security policies and procedures.
- Hardware and software jargon. Tech lingo is a working code and only its practitioners know the key to the code. Even veteran users don’t get the tech talk and often find it annoying and condescending.
- Keyboard or mouse. People growing up with computers have little difficulty using a keyboard or mouse. With that said, few of them can move easily from one to the other. They don’t know keyboard shortcuts, or they may not know all the built-ins on their mouse.
- Patience and boredom. Non-technical users may not have the patience to work at learning. They lack the interest in, or patience with, the process of trial and error. And, they expect the instant gratification they find in video games.
And, without a business culture that values the providers, software and support personnel, tech-users can lack respect for the trainers and installers whose real job is to satisfy them and make their work easier and more productive.
Give Them The Intuitive Software They Want
According to Stefan Köther, writing for TeamViewer, “The whole point of intuitive software is to make it easy for us to enjoy working with the program.” Notice the use of the term “enjoy;” everyone does better at work they like doing. Specifically, the software is intuitive when:
- Everything is self-explanatory.
- Searches are solved quickly.
- Functions work easily and effectively.
- It’s fast and efficient.
This is particularly critical in the most fundamental of communication mediums: web design. “For a non-technical person to create and maintain an engaging website requires a totally user-simplified content management system,” remarks Murad Bushnaq, CEO of Morweb.org. His platform helps non-profits build donor-engaging, responsive design websites with no technical training. “Now, more than ever, non-technical folks are required to interface with technical products and software. The software needs to be intuitive for its users to be successful,” he concludes.
The more intuitive, the less training required. For example:
- Active Campaign combines email marketing, sales and CRM automation, and marketing tools. It sends emails, designs campaigns and communicates with prospects and customers. It tracks personal information and behavioral data and accelerates your sales cycle.
- Basecamp is project management software. Merchant Maverick calls it, “one of the most user-friendly project management programs I’ve ever encountered. When it comes down to brass tacks, simplicity is an enormously valuable characteristic, and Basecamp 3 is just that – simple. This is project management software at its most basic and effortless level.”
- Zoho Books provides a great user experience for small and growing businesses. Easy-to-use, it works quickly, powerfully and comprehensively. It does invoicing, cash flow statements, balance sheets and much more. Finances Online likes “its smart design, with extreme attention to detail and a bundle of useful functions arranged in a way that doesn’t disturb the user’s operations.” They add that it’s “a no-brainer to work with, and makes use of familiar navigation tools to help moving around when looking at screens full of information.”
- Aptean’s Intuitive ERP solution seeks to make mid-sized and mid-marketed manufacturers find improved operational efficiency with seamless business process integration. It also makes operation friendly enough that users work efficiently, too. Inspector Jones says, “Aptean is extremely strong in the process manufacturing industries. The user interface presentation has utilized the newest software technologies and the development team has designed the interface which now offers users an incredibly fast, feature rich and easy to use experience.”
- SkuVault created a cloud-based inventory and warehouse system that manages stock, barcodes and quality control. It works to reduce picking and shipping errors, and it archives the data to support your purchasing decisions.
- ProsperWorks is a low-cost, cloud-based customer relationship management software for sales management. Less comprehensive and expensive than the very popular SalesForce, it offers complete views of business customers. It works well for sales of soft and hard goods, as well as services. Completely cloud-based, it needs no installation or maintenance.
- Smartsheet manages projects and task collaboration. It offers an easy to learn and use spreadsheet featuring Gannt Charts, card view and automation features. Honored by Google and Microsoft, it’s the software of choice for project management. PC Magazine says, “Smartsheet brings together all the benefits (and drawbacks) of spreadsheets and project management tools into one unique, powerful hybrid.” If your business uses spreadsheets, Smartsheet will help.
What It Really Means To You Your non-technical staff at all levels work better with software they engage with. And, although every hire coming on board these days thinks they are computer savvy, the reality is that your customized and proprietary programs will surprise them.
You want software that interests and attracts users. You also want software that users can move into with ease and improve with it as it upgrades. To top it all off, you want software that’s scalable, cloud-based and affordable. The good news is that you can find what you need with some research and employee input.
The opinions expressed here by Inc.com columnists are their own, not those of Inc.com.