It's an exciting time! You're past the decision phase, and after a rigorous vetting process, you picked BLOX Digital as your solution provider. (Good choice!) Now, the big question on your mind is: how fast can we get up-and-running?
Believe it or not, these seven common delays could be slowing down your own launch. Here's what you can do to speed things up.
Delay #1: Unintentional procrastination
To kickstart any BLOX Digital solution, we rely on crucial information from you, a standard procedure for enterprise SaaS setups. The initial phase involves completing onboarding forms, a step that can sometimes slow down the project.
We understand that teams are busy, and finding the right answers might take time. Procrastination can unintentionally delay the project for weeks.
Solution: To streamline the process, let us assist you in getting off to a swift start! Schedule a session with your BLOX Digital project manager, inviting key stakeholders and experts from your team. Together, we'll craft a plan to efficiently distribute tasks, ensuring a smooth and prompt execution.
Delay #2: Unanswered questions
If the designated main point of contact for your project manager is unavailable—goes on vacation or is busy with competing priorities—progress can come to a screeching halt. That's why it's important to establish more than one person to call.
Solution: Provide a list of subject matter experts from your team along with the best way to reach them whether by phone, email, or text. This allows the team at BLOX Digital to go right to the source to get the answers that will keep your project moving!
Delay #3: Unforeseen complications
Historical content is important for many of our partners when their new site launches. Sometimes, when our data team starts digging into the old files, they find unexpected complexities that require more time.
Solution: The best way to tackle this potential challenge is to get an early start. Let us know as soon as possible if you'll be including archives. We'll work together to get a sample of your files that will allow ample time for processing.
Delay #4: Unexpected integrations
BLOX Digital solutions work with a number of third party vendors—from obituary providers to weather widgets. These integrations generally go off without a hitch, but every once in a while, an integration with an external service or API creates unexpected technical challenges.
Solution: This is another area where it helps to get an early start! Provide your project manager with the full list of integrations you would like to use as soon as possible, and have your own designated contact ready to troubleshoot integration problems or connect us with those vendors.
Delay #5: Unattended meetings
The easiest and quickest way to stay on track is with scheduled check-ins with your BLOX Digital project manager. Your project manager uses these meetings to ask questions and assign tasks that will keep your project moving. Frequently missing these crucial discussions may lead to miscommunication and slow down decision-making processes.
Solution: Prioritize these check-ins with your project manager and stick to the schedule. By having update meetings on a consistent basis, you can address any issues as they come up.
Delay #6: Unapproved reviews
Remember how, at the beginning of the project, everyone has good intentions to provide the deliverables but life got in the way? The same thing tends to happen when it's time to review and approve your site.
Solution: Planning is the key to keeping review and approval from being a bottleneck. Put time on the calendar to review your site and include the other subject matter experts on your team. Consider establishing a hierarchy internally for quick decision-making and let your BLOX Digital project manager know who will have the final say.
Delay #7: Untrained team members
It's vital that your team goes through the full BLOX Digital training before launch. Depending on the project, this could be a short session or a series of trainings. Don't let a busy schedule be the reason you have to delay your launch.
Solution: Make this a priority for you and your team. Book your training time slots early and stress to your team how critical this step is.
Overcoming potential delays is key to a successful launch! By proactively engaging with your BLOX Digital project manager, initiating early discussions on archives and integrations, and setting clear review and training timelines, you can pave the way for a smoother and quicker path to your project's fruition.
Betsy Green is Onboarding Manager for BLOX Digital.
