Hypothetical problem solving presentation for the acceptance of employees of new software. In this case, Microsoft Outlook.

1. HYPOTHETICALCOMMUNICATIONS HC Outlook Conundrum IMPROVEMENT REPORT Laura McDonnold

2. HYPOTHETICALCOMMUNICATIONS & MS Office Outlook® HC Hypothetical Communications (HC) takes pride in the work they do & in the services they provide. HC prefers to think of themselves as keeping current with managerial, business, & technological trends. However, in actuality there are times when this is not necessarily true. HC recently bought MS Office Outlook®in hopes of improving internal & external communication, planning & scheduling, & internet safety. While some employees have begun to discover some useful functions of Outlook®, most are not using it with even a minimum of efficiency. Outlook Conundrum This is referred to as the

3. To make the most of the company’s investment in Outlook®, every employee should be reasonably well versed in its use. Outlook®will be an invaluable tool to HC office function once it is being properly utilized. HYPOTHETICALCOMMUNICATIONS & MS Office Outlook®

4. HYPOTHETICALCOMMUNICATIONS & MS Office Outlook® While the matter may seem simple, it is a bit more complicated than it looks on the surface. One might concur that the employees simply need a bit of training to put Outlook®to better use. While this may be true for several employees, this is not necessarily true for the majority. One should not assume the problem is simply a lack of knowledge.

5. HYPOTHETICALCOMMUNICATIONS & MS Office Outlook Due to the diversity of the workplace, there are differing levels of technological experience & personality types. The lack of enthusiastic users of Outlook®may be due to problems such as: computer literacy deficiency, lack of communication skills fear or resistance to change These issues would most definitely affect the effective use of a technology based tool such as MS Outlook®. As a matter of fact they are building blocks beneath and upon which the use of MS Outlook®is dependent on.

6. Understanding HC’s Outlook Conundrum Ideally to have the most constructively detailed information on the current situation, HC will be need to be able to attain documentation of the following objective criteria: computer literacy skill level of employees employees training/skill in Microsoft Outlook® employee online communication skills attitudes toward change of management and employees

7. Selecting The Right Tool Much time, energy, and money can be wasted if an unsuitable tool is chosen. The first step is to establish a set of standards for the correct problem assessment tool & the criteria the assessment must cover. Many times this goes beyond what the company needs the tool to do. It also may include aspects such as time constraints & cost. For HC’s purposes, it was determined that the proper tool must meet the criteria below. The Most Suitable Assessment Tool Will: Determine the computer literacy skill level of employees Offer employees training in Microsoft Outlook® Assess the skill of employees in Microsoft Outlook ® Assess employee online communication skills Assess the attitudes toward change of management &employees Show Before & After Results of Training/Assessment Program Offer Affordability

8. Selecting The Right Tool First the research was done to locate tools that could possibly fulfill HC’s needs. Ten tools were researched for this project. Listed below are the tools, their source link, & the purpose of each tool.

9. Selecting The Right Tool

10. z SuitableAssessment Selection/Elimination Process After several tools were found, an elimination & selection process was necessary. For the purpose of eliminating the less adequate tools & solving HC’s problem, a rubric was created to establish mandatory criteria & rate each tool’s ability to fulfill the need of each of the Outlook® Conundrum aspects. The next slide is the rubric developed for HC’s purposes.

11. Suitable Assessment Selection/Elimination Process The next few slides are the results of applying the rubric to the available tools:

13. Suitable Assessment Selection/Elimination Process

14. Suitable Assessment Selection/Elimination Process

15. Suitable Assessment Selection/Elimination Process

16. Options: According to the rubric grading system, Eskill, Microsoft Office® Training, and Tech Atlas are the top rated tools, offering HC the best encompassing choices. There is still the choice of bestowing the responsibility of this problem and its component issues upon someone within the company. In that eventuality the designee could utilize several of the free assessment options. This would, however, take up time and resources HC may not have to spare.

17. 1 2 3 TOP 3 TOOLS

18. Cost Factors for HC: Cost is an important factor in the world of business. HC must pick an option that can be made to successfully fit their budget as well as their desired goals. High quality employee training is rarely cheap, however. To get an actual dollar amount for each tool more information would be needed. The next slide is a summary of the cost associated with each of the top three rated tools.

19. Cost Factors for HC: ESkill: The cost for this service is dependent upon the whole number of employees HC wishes to involve in the program & charged on a per employee basis. HC would need to decided if every employee would be included; or to cut cost, just key employees that could go on to train others. Microsoft Outlook® Training: One of the best benefits to this training tool is that it is completely free! Any employee with computer access can access this in-depth Outlook training tool. Cost to HC is the cost of supplying employees with computers & internet access, which they would most likely need anyway, &time lost from other responsibilities. Tech Atlas: Offers private professional consulting, most likely very expensive. This tool may seem too costly in the short run, but could be extremely valuable in the long run. The true value would have to be decided upon by HC accounting and management.

20. Coming up with the perfect solution is never easy & rarely perfect. The real experts on the situation are the employee supervisors. Their personal first hand experience with the employees is invaluable in estimating the true causes of the Outlook Conundrum HYPOTHETICALCOMMUNICATIONS & MS Office Outlook®

21. The department supervisors are probably aware if fundamental issues of computer literacy deficiency, lack of communication skills, and/or fear or resistance to change are factors of the problem or if it is simply a matter of lack of proper Outlook® training. HYPOTHETICALCOMMUNICATIONS & MS Office Outlook®

22. Upper management needs to get the insight of these circumstances from department supervisors before making a final decision. While HC would most definitely benefit from a professional full out assessment and training program, it may not be the most advantageous use of the company’s money. HYPOTHETICALCOMMUNICATIONS & MS Office Outlook®

23. Therefore the professional advice for the solution of HC’s Outlook Conundrum comes in two parts: IF… Department supervisors report that the problem consists of fundamental issues along with lack of Outlook training then HC should invest in the Eskill program. This program will not only eliminate the issues associated with the Outlook Conundrum, but also many others that likely exist in HC that are equally detrimental. It is much cheaper than hiring a professional consultant and to control cost HC management can determine which employees, if not all, it will benefit the company most to participate in the Eskill program. HYPOTHETICALCOMMUNICATIONS & MS Office Outlook®

24. Therefore the professional advice for the solution of HC’s Outlook Conundrum comes in two parts: OR... Department supervisors report that the Outlook Conundrum exists simply due to lack of proper Outlook training, then the Microsoft Outlook® Training/Assessment should be made a part of the workplace regimen; at least until most employees are performing in a manner acceptable to HC management. This is the ideal solution if the problem is simply lack of training, because other than equipment and time costs, it is virtually free. HYPOTHETICALCOMMUNICATIONS & MS Office Outlook®

25. HC HYPOTHETICALCOMMUNICATIONS HC is a healthy, prospering company. In the interest of maintaining & surpassing HC’s past success, HC management endeavors to keep their employees well provided for. This includes the area of proper training for position requirements & the event of upgrades in technology. Confidence can be held in HC management to make the most advantageous decision for HC & its employees. While some success will be attained regardless of which direction HC management decides to pursue, if department supervisors suggest all encompassing assessment /training, corners should not cut by simply going with the cheapest option. Most disastrous issues may arise with future technological upgrades if personnel are not brought up to speed now. HC & its employees will do exceptionally well if management heeds the informal assessments of the department supervisors.

26. HC & With Outlook®, employees will be able to format, compose, send, receive, save or delete emails from their personal account. They will also be able to manage their calendar & make it viewable to all other office personnel for planning & scheduling purposes. This uniform use of Outlook® as HC’s primary online communication system will offer better protection from online threats. Inner & outer office communication & scheduling will become more efficient and effective.

27. By working together we CAN eliminate the Out look Conundrum Everyone will come to see that Outlook® is an invaluable tool to office function and a great asset to the company once it is being properly utilized. The effective use of the benefits of Outlook® is for the betterment of all involved: the business, the employees, and HC customers.

28. Here’s to HC making the most of their Office Outlook® investment by improving internal & external communication, planning and scheduling, & internet safety through educating their staff & allowing them to become even more superior in their positions thereby becoming great investments themselves! HC HYPOTHETICALCOMMUNICATIONS

29. Graphic & Sound References: Slide 1: SourceGroup. [Online Image] (2007-2009) Team_on_puzzle.jpg. Retrieved on March 21, 2009, from: http://sourcegroupbilling.com/images/team_on_puzzle.jpg Microsoft. [Sound] (2009) Bottle Blond.wav. Retrieved on March 21, 2009, from: http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/clipart/download.aspx Background Images, Microsoft Outlook Logo, and Tada sound for most slides: TMS Consulting Services. [Online Image] (2009) Puzzle Background copy_01.jpg. Retrieved on March 21, 2009, from: http://tmsconsultingservices.com/Puzzle%20Background%20copy_01.jpg Fonality Knowledge Base Open Source Edition. [Online Image] (n.d.) Outlook. jpg. Retrieved March 13, 2009, from http://help.pbxtra.com/@api/deki/files/121/=outlook.jpg Microsoft. [Sound] (2009) Tada.wav. Retrieved on March 21, 2009, from: http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/clipart/download.aspx Slide 2: Microsoft. [Sound} (2009) Gripped. Retrieved on March 21, 2009, from: http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/clipart/download.aspx SheKnows LLC, A Division of AtomicOnline LLC. [Online Image] (2003-2009) Frustrated-woman-at-computer.jpg. Retrieved March 13, 2009, from http://media.sheknows.com/articles/frustrated-woman-at-computer.jpg

30. Graphic & Sound References continued: Slide 3: Beltway Mortage Corporation . [Online Image] (2007) Puzzle_money.jpg. Retrieved on March 21, 2009, from: http://beltway-mortgage.com/img/puzzle_money.jpg Microsoft. [Sound] (2009) Tada.wav. Retrieved on March 21, 2009, from: http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/clipart/download.aspx Slide 6: Microsoft. [Sound] (2009) Drum roll.wav. Retrieved on March 21, 2009, from: http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/clipart/download.aspx Slide 7: Microsoft. [Sound] (2009) Anvil hit.wav. Retrieved on March 21, 2009, from: http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/clipart/download.aspx Slide 7-9: Microsoft. [Online Image] (2009) Bd19995_.wmf. Retrieved on March 21, 2009, from: http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/clipart/download.aspx Slide 10: Microsoft. [Sound] (2009) Space laser 2. wav. Retrieved on March 21, 2009, from: http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/clipart/download.aspx Slide 17: Microsoft. [Sound] (2009) Msj0388596000.wav. Retrieved on March 21, 2009, from: http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/clipart/download.aspx

31. Graphic & Sound References continued: Slide 18: Microsoft. [Sound] (2009) Cash register.wav. Retrieved on March 21, 2009, from: http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/clipart/download.aspx Save money Book 2009. [Online Image] (2009) Benefits-of-saving-money.jpg. Retrieved March 13, 2009, from http://www.savemoneybook.com/images/benefits-of-saving-money.jpg Slide 19: Microsoft. [Sound] (2009) Coin dropping. wav. Retrieved on March 21, 2009, from: http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/clipart/download.aspx Innosphere Systems Development Group Ltd. [Online Image] (2008) Puzzle_key.jpg . Retrieved on March 21, 2009, from: http://www.innosphere.ca/Portals/0/Images/Puzzle_key.jpg Microsoft. [Sound] (2009) Latch door. wav. Retrieved on March 21, 2009, from: http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/clipart/download.aspx Slide 21: Team Works Management. [Online Image] (2009) Team with puzzle pieces.jpg. Retrieved on March 21, 2009, from: http://teamworksweb.com/sitecm/i/team%20with%20puzzle%20pieces.jpg Slide 22: Infinite Business Solutions. [Online Image] (2007) Stockxpertcom_id5454961_size4.jpg. Retrieved on March 21, 2009, from: http://www.ibsaus.com/media/stockxpertcom_id5454961_size4.jpg

32. Graphic & Sound References continued: Slide 23-24: PowtelAdvertising, Marketing, and Communications. [Online Image] (2007-2009) Ist2_4562149_business_partnership_puzzle_jh8c.jpg. Retrieved on March 21, 2009, from: http://powtel.com/images/ist2_4562149_business_partnership_puzzle_jh8c.jpg Slide 25: Jupiter Lanes. [Online Image] (2007) Teambuilding.jpg. Retrieved March 13, 2009, from http://bowljupiter.com/images/teambuilding.jpg Microsoft. [Sound] (2009) Small crowd. wav. Retrieved on March 21, 2009, from: http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/clipart/download.aspx Slide 27: Microsoft. [Sound] (2009) Male scream. wav. Retrieved on March 21, 2009, from: http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/clipart/download.aspx Slide 28: Moveablestyle. [Online Image] (n.d.) Happy 05. Retrieved March 13, 2009, from http://www.thesykesgrp.com/TSGBlog/media/Happy05.jpg Microsoft. [Sound] (2009) Cheers in hall. wav. Retrieved on March 21, 2009, from: http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/clipart/download.aspx