Julie,
 
I'm not sure whether you're seeking to develop that elevator pitch for workflow .....for more of an "ad hoc workflow" or for more of a "production-orieneted" workflow.
 
I'd begin with the thought that you're seeking to automate a number of business processes (law firms have those too, or so I hear).  That those processes also need to be fully documented/captured to ensure that they don't remain solely in the memories of those who are working there today.  If some of the business processes are not repeated successfully every time (sometimes handled incorrectly and differently by individuals), then workflow solutions can also offer (a) a reliable rule set for handling certain "transactions" or activities, (b) a complete audit trail for any and all activities or transactions managed by the workflow solution, and (c) provide a reglar means for handling exceptions and, finally (d) allow the firm to establish specific timeframes in which certain types of work be accomplished.  
 
Beyond that, the processes are largely associated with documents that require access by different individuals, perhaps access to the same documents by different people at the same time.  The goal of workflow systems that are "document centric" is to do what we (the "royal we") have spoken of in RIM for a long time..... to deliver the right information to the right people at the right time at the lowest possible cost.
 
That's where I'd start with the "elevator pitch"..... linking processes and documents.  During my "FileNet days", we used to focus on coming to the conclusion that organizations could make "better decisions, faster".......through the use of workflow tools.....
 
Doug Allen, CRM, CDIA+

________________________________

From: Records Management Program on behalf of Colgan, Julie J.
Sent: Mon 2/19/2007 8:39 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: [RM] Marketing workflow



I need your help please ...

Our IT Director has been trying to sell enterprise Workflow for the past
18 months or so at our firm (I have only been here for the last 4
months).  He has had trouble getting buy-in from management (admin mgmt
as well as the Board) - basically he feels they just don't understand
what it is and why it would be a good thing.  His marketing has included
how it will help his department (technical side) and general staff
productivity, however has neglected to address how it will impact
management's daily life.

So, I suggested we "re-market" the idea so it is more impactful for the
target audience.  I am proposing that we develop an ... yes, you guessed
it ... elevator speech that we can deliver consistently to management
(forming a unified front), as well as develop slice-of-life examples of
how this kind of product will make *their* lives easier.

And so, I'm wondering if anyone out in Listland has successfully
implemented a workflow product at the enterprise level and is willing to
share with me the management-level impacts you have seen.  The company
we have been talking with of course has "examples", however I'd really
like to be able to give anecdotal examples from the real world like,
"workflow helped the CFO of a Fortune 500 by ...", or, "the COO spends
50% less time [doing whatever] now that the process is automated", or
perhaps, "we have saved X $ on paper purchasing now that our forms are
automated".

Any ideas, suggestions, caveats, etc. are much appreciated.

Thanks,
Julie

Julie J. Colgan
Director of Records Management

NEXSEN PRUET, LLC

1441 Main Street, Suite 1500

Columbia, SC 29201

803.253.8270 direct

803.253.8277 fax

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www.nexsenpruet.com <http://www.nexsenpruet.com/>



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