Woe Be Gonefrom Word Processing

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Word processing equipment can revolutionize an office. However, when not handled with care, the changeover from manual to automated methods can have negative results, such as the loss of valued employees or the sabotaging of equipment. Problems can be minimized if top management takes the following steps:

* Make the announcement of the changeover personally. If employees are left to speculate on the significance of management meetings with equipment salespeople, they may assume the worst -- that you are planning to replace them with machines.

* Give employees ample time to get used to the idea, rather than confronting them with a fait accompli. Most resistance comes from fear of the unknown, which is heightened when terminals appear without notice.

* Involve workers in the selection of equipment. Bring one or two members of the clerical staff with you when you shop for a system. This will not only defuse resistance but provide needed advice on design factors that will be important to an operator.

* Provide for individual, as well as group, training. Employees, particularly older ones, may experience apprehension about their ability to learn new ways. They should be given the chance to learn at their own pace, without fear of embarrassment.

* If you are planning to establish word processing as a separate function, choose operators carefully and structure the job as a path to advancement. Traditional secretarial qualifications, such as typing speed, are less important than language and logic abilities.

SOURCE: Walter Ulrich Consulting, Houston, Tex.