Employee buy-in is an important first step when implementing a new process or piece of equipment. However, winning employee buy-in can be easier said than done.
Companies implementing change often experience hesitation from employees for a variety of reasons. Perhaps your team is comfortable with its current processes and sees no value in changing. Other times, employees may push back out of fear or resistance to change.
Regardless of the reason, employees on every level will want to know how the new solution will affect their day-to-day tasks. For some, it’s clear how quickly a new machine or process can dramatically expedite production, while others may need more time to adjust and embrace the change. That’s why employee buy-in is essential when adopting new equipment or technologies to enhance production—otherwise, you risk a failed investment.
To ensure a frictionless transition, we’ve broken down how to achieve employee buy-in for new fabric welding solutions into in three simple steps below.
1. Be Thorough and Proactive with All Communications
While every company’s manufacturing operations are different, thorough and proactive communication is key to successfully implement new equipment.
Even before selecting a fabric welding solution, consider what onboarding resources your equipment partner offers to support you in the communication stage. For instance, look for partnership features like:
Armed with information from your equipment provider, consider holding department-wide meeting or town halls, either with your provider’s implementation specialists or the literature they’ve provided. This will give your team the opportunity to ask questions and have a sense of involvement, rather than being forced to adapt to the new process.
These meetings are your opportunity to secure employee buy-in. During these meetings, be transparent with employees about the long-term direction for the team. Here, you can also communicate to employees the specific benefits that the new fabric welding system will bring, such as:
No matter how much effort you put into communicating with your team, it won’t be effective unless you also listen to their concerns. Be prepared to address concerns such as:
Throughout initial installation and training, your service provider should coordinate with you to provide knowledge and resources for employees to help ease the transition.
Even after your team is familiar with the new technology, top fabric welding equipment providers will also offer support long after implementation, offering:
At Miller Weldmaster, our service team is available by phone or email to customers should team members run into any questions. We also offer a library of resources like operating training videos, how-to videos and easy scheduling for in-person training courses.
3. Set Actionable Next Steps for Team Members
As with any internal change, provide clear next steps for your team members. This is more than “reach out with any questions.” It’s part of the leadership’s responsibility to follow up to ensure team members are comfortable with process changes.
Once your team has had time to adapt, challenge your team to report on any improved metrics that are specific to their daily duties and related to the new material welding solutions. Ask the following questions to spark discussion:
It’s important to recognize that every organization is different, and these steps may need to be tailored to accommodate your team. With many options on the market, finding a partner who can not only provide you with the best technology, but also position your team for success with training and support, is key.
Get the Inside Scoop on All Things Fabric Welding
Stay up to date on all things regarding industrial fabric welding solutions by joining our online community, Insiders Welding Group. You’ll receive monthly communications about your fabric welder, product how-tos and tips, and specials and promotions.