Full Sail Partners Blog (35)

For those of you reading this, I’m glad that you have a desire to expand your knowledge. While you might be a great accountant, business development person, project manager, HR professional, or C-level executive, you might not have a high level of IT knowledge. Yet, you are the professionals that must use your company’s business software solutions. Therefore, you need to ensure these business solutions are allowing you to be more productive. So, let’s see if your current business software solution is a quality one or not.

Simple to Understand

This sounds like a no brainer-but how simple is the software solution you use? Simplicity is more than a friendly user interface. When thinking about simplicity, you need to imagine inputting data and extracting actionable information.

Even more, it means being able to share information with others within and outside your firm. Taking this further, how many clicks does it take to get to your destination? And let’s not forget being able to easily obtain support from the software provider with quick resolution for your problem.

Pleasant User Interface

Software companies have entire teams of professionals dedicated to human-computer interaction, or in other words, how humans interact with machines. A quality user interface does make a software solution simpler, but more importantly, it entices users to want to use the solution. A software interface should be visually appealing and provide an intuitive environment. The better the user interface, the more likely employees will adopt using the software.

Integrates with Other Software Solutions

The fact of the matter is that businesses usually use more than one software to deliver services. For example, business intelligence (BI) software, like Entrinsik’s Informer BI tool, is becoming a leading software product used by companies to better analyze data. However, a core software must be able to integrate with a BI software to be able to extract the data.

Moreover, businesses also often use piecemealed together systems that are created as a business grows and/or a new gap needs to be filled. As a result, these individual solutions must be integrated together so they can communicate. If they are not integrated, employees will then have to manually input information from one system to another which waste time and is more prone to errors.     

Get Your Job Done More Efficiently

Does your current solution meet the needs of your business? Does your software help you better serve your clients and streamline your business processes? Lastly, will the software solutions you use be able to grow with you and your firm? If the answer to any of these questions is no, let Full Sail Partners help!

Compensation can directly impact the engagement and productivity of your talent. Without engaged talent, project-based firms will have a difficult time delivering successful projects. Retaining quality talent is a necessity to firm success so a well-planned compensation strategy is crucial. Let’s look at some components of an effective compensation strategy.

Budgeting

Salaries usually make up the largest part of the overall budget for project-based firms. Using Deltek Talent Compensation, budgets can be set up for each part of the compensation review cycle. They can be further broken down by level so reviewing managers will know how much money is available for compensation. There should, however, be some flexibility for outstanding efforts.

Rules and Guidelines

Rules and guidelines help employees to understand compensation plans. Having specific pay grades clarifies salary differentials. Employees can see what the expectations are for each level such as required certifications, education or professional experiences. With the guidelines in place, managers can make compensation recommendations using approval workflows.

Salary Audits

Staying in-tune to the market value of positions with your firm is important. Market data can be uploaded into Deltek Talent Compensation to show details about the current status of an employee in relation to the market. This allows managers to see how competitive their firm salaries are compared to other similar firms.

Total Rewards Package

Employees need to see all parts of the compensation package. The base salary is just one aspect of the package. The health benefits component is significant in the rewards. Additionally, any short-term incentive pay like commissions or bonuses or long-term incentive pay such as stock options make a heartier, more desirable compensation package.

Be Visible

Deltek Talent Compensation provides insight into all aspects of the compensation plan. Employees want to see that they are being paid fairly and that reasonable expectations are established for their positions. Employers need to stay on budget yet stay competitive in the market. With a visible technology solution in place, all needs of the employee and employer are met.

Implement a Comprehensive Compensation Strategy Now

With unemployment being at a historic low, not having a visible strategic compensation plan will affect retention of top talent. While putting such a plan in place may seem overwhelming, it doesn’t have to be. Once your firm has established the key components of your compensation strategy, communicate it to your employees. With top talent buy in, retention will no longer be an issue.

Most Deltek users have heard of Vision workflows but aren’t aware of the vast capabilities they offer. From managing repetitive tasks to enforcing compliances and validating data, workflows are extremely versatile and easy to set up. Whether you are a workflow rookie or a veteran, let’s take a look at some workflows that your firm should be using in Deltek Vision.

Different Types of Workflows in Deltek Vision

User Initiated -Allows set up of automated actions in Vision that are triggered when a record is saved, and certain conditions are met.

Contact Record Verification - Provides employees further insight on the validity of contact information by creating a workflow using custom fields. Employees simply check a checkbox, and through a workflow, the modified user and the date the checkbox was checked can populate reducing the number of fields the end user has to fill in.

Scheduled -Allows you to create automated actions that run at regular intervals via the process server.

Web Services – Allows you to set up an interface between Vision and external application.

Opportunities – Makes sure the business development team is following up on opportunities by creating actions and alerts that are prompted when an opportunity is opened, a stage is changed and when the opportunity is closed.

Types of Workflow Actions in Deltek Vision

Validate Error – Creates a “check” against the data entered and returns an error message.

Validate Warning – The same as the error but provides only a warning. The user will be able to save the record.

Email Alert – Creates an email to a specified person or role or another employee linked field (for example project manager).

Stored Procedure – Executes a SQL script on the Vision database. Requires knowledge of T-SQL and stored procedures. However, this allows you great flexibility to update information across all info centers in Vision.

Function – Calls well known Vision methods to do specific tasks like create a project from an opportunity.

Invoke A Custom Method/Invoke a Web Service – Requires advanced programing knowledge and web services. 

Let Deltek Vision Workflows Work for You

These are just a few examples of things you can do with workflows in Deltek Vision. Setting these workflows up is easier than you think and will save you and your firm lots of time. Our team here at Full Sail Partners is ready to help you set up any Vision workflow you think would benefit your firm! Let us know if we can help you!

Project-based firms do experience challenges during the project lifecycle from ensuring a project remains on schedule to keeping the client satisfied. With these challenges, however, there is one common denominator…communication. Communication is key to the success of a project whether it’s with the client or with your own project team. One of the most common forms of communication is email, but if you’re not included on every email that pertains to a project, how can you know what is going on? With Deltek PIM, the communication problem is solved, and your firm will reap the benefits.

Centralized Email Communication

With a simple click, an email can be stored within the project in Vantagepoint or Vision. Therefore, every employee working on a particular project can quickly access the email communications that contain important information about the project. This saves time and improves project communication. With Deltek PIM, an employee might notice a change to the project and can quickly search through the emails to see who made the change and why.

Improved Decision Making

Using Deltek PIM increases the collaborative work environment since everyone has access to project related communication. With more insight into the project information, team members can make informed and quick decisions. The impact of this efficiency is significant for project-based firms in the form of a higher profit on each project.

Quick User Adoption

If your firm is already using Deltek Vantagepoint or Vision, PIM easily integrates with these project management platforms. Even better, this integration makes it easy to use which increases user adoption. As a result, an investment into Deltek PIM offers value since firm employees will actually use this product as they are already managing projects in Vantagepoint or Vision.

Deltek PIM Does More

Not only does Deltek PIM provide centralized email, but it also allows for all project related files to be stored directly in the project in Vantagepoint or Vision. With PIM, you can store emails, all types of documents, easily organize drawings, and improve sharing since all these things are in one location. If you haven’t seen PIM, make sure to check our webinar listing page to view upcoming and past PIM webinars.

Business intelligence – or BI – is a technology-driven process aimed at collecting data and analyzing it to create actionable insight. This insight can help you and your company make better business decisions. Using a visual dashboard set up with your firm’s KPIs, BI can give you a better idea of how to move forward with strategic business planning.

Why Data Visualization is So Important

Data visualization is important for the simple reason that our brains are wired for visuals. Half of our brain is dedicated to visual functions, and 90% of the information transmitted to the brain is visual. We process images 60,000 times faster than text making data visualizations quite significant in the business world. Additionally, visuals improve comprehension, a key factor when it comes to interpreting data and making decisions.

Informer BI Offers Visual Options

With Informer BI, there are plenty of visual options available for any type of relevant data. Based on the data type, Informer automatically creates different visuals you can choose from to best fit your audience. You can even customize your graphics depending on what you want to see and how you want to see it - choose color, size, and type of graphic you want to display.

Why Informer?

Not only do colorful graphics draw attention to the pertinent information, but Informer is always updating your customizable dashboard to make sure your data is current. Informer can easily combine data from multiple sources and is available for cloud use. Stop wasting your time with out of date boring spreadsheets and jumbled up numbers. Instead, focus on what drives your business using Informer BI to make insightful decisions.  

We get it! Working remotely, far from coworkers and isolated, can make for tough work attire choices. Well you spoke, and we listened! In our ongoing attempts to unify, team build and reduce decision fatigue, we are proud to announce our new corporate dress code. Introducing the universal, one-size-fits-all-in-wonderful, versatile, and fashionable Full Sail Partners' Speedsuit!

Perfect for:

Working from home!

Working with clients!

And leisure.

The Full Sail Partners’ Speedsuit is machine washable, wrinkle, stain, and odor resistant to accommodate any lifestyle. The official Full Sail Partners cap is the perfect accessory for bad hair days whether you’ve just gotten up or not slept for 3 days. We’ve got you covered! Together, the Full Sail Partners uniform will be a key lynchpin to success.

But wait, there is more! Clients can get their own Full Sail Partners speedsuit to show your support. Contact us now for more details.

HAPPY APRIL FOOLS’ DAY!

Acquiring top talent for project-based businesses is a necessity. With the best teams in place, projects are run more efficiently, completed timely and ultimately profitable. While getting these key players on board is crucial, keeping them inspired and engaged is just as significant. If your firm incorporates career paths as part of its HR Talent Management strategy, then employee development becomes a priority and retention remains high.

What are Career Paths?

Career paths are plans that lay out the steps to get to the next place in an employee’s journey with your firm. Your top talent needs to feel that there is growth potential within your organization. Using Deltek Talent Management, employees can see jobs they want to aspire to and other lateral roles they may need to undertake first. With career path software, everyone is informed of where an employee currently stands, and where he wants to be down the road. This keeps all parties accountable for employee development.

The Key is to Start Early

Developing career paths should begin at the talent acquisition phase. Is this candidate a fit now and potentially down the road? What are the motivations and incentives to be part of your firm? What are the cultural desires? HR can use Talent Management to review skills and competencies and determine what gaps need to be filled to move further down the career line. There should be a three to five-year duration of the career path. What would be the immediate placement of this candidate and what would provide growth?

Development plans

When establishing career paths, it is necessary to set guidelines to target competencies and identify skill gaps. There must be clear objectives and deadlines to reach these goals. Mentoring by firm leaders and developing new skills are essential to acquiring needed competencies. However, employees can also use professional associations in their industry to further develop their knowledge base. Development can happen year-round.

Reviewing Career Paths

While the firm should provide opportunities for development and mentors to help talent learn new skills, the employees need to drive the effort. Both lateral and job promotions are necessary parts of the career path. It is just as important to spend time in different jobs at one level as it is to move to the next. Continuous feedback sessions should be part of the career path process with roadblocks included. Finding out how the employee is contributing to the firm shows engagement.

Career Paths Contribute to Employee Retention

Career paths help make employee development a priority, and they can be updated as needed. Employees can even be included as part of succession planning in their career path. Remember that in creating career paths, authenticity is key, and communication is vital. Employees must know that you value them and how they can grow with the firm. In exchange, excitement for career potential will keep employee retention high.

Out of all industries and professional disciplines, architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) leads in innovation. Not just in building design, but in how construction projects are completed. Among other efforts, the AEC industry is embracing modern technology to make projects and overall business more successful. Let’s take a look at some trends.

Moving to the Cloud

Taking your software to the cloud is becoming an extremely cheaper alternative to hosting your own software tools. Software/Desktop as a Service (SaaS/DaaS) is changing the AEC industry for the better. SaaS/DaaS gives employees the ability to access the software products they use from anywhere with an internet connection. As a result, it’s allowing firms to become more efficient and mobile.

Business development teams can retrieve important CRM information about their clients and prospects on-the-go. Project managers can update project records while they are on-site at the project. For AEC firms to stay competitive, they need to embrace SaaS/DaaS solutions to keep up with the changing times. Check out this link to learn more.

BIM Technology

Building information modeling (BIM) technology is not just for large firms anymore. It has now become economical for small firms and even the self-employed. With BIM, AEC firms can create digital models of structures…but it’s not just a 3D representation of a structure; it’s more like 6D. Whereas 3D is width, height and depth, the 4^th D is time, the 5^th D is cost, and the 6^th D evaluates the environment and sustainability of the structure. 

Even more, it’s a shared knowledge base of project information. By using BIM, companies will be apprised of a project’s status by instant access to all project information, even emails. Want to take Deltek Vantagepoint and Vision even further with project management? Check out Deltek PIM here for more information.

Software Integrations Using the Blackbox Connector

Third party software solutions can now be integrated with Deltek Vantagepoint and Vision. Using the Blackbox Connector for Constant Contact or Mailchimp, email marketing efforts are automatically updated in Vantagepoint or Vision. Instead of relying on plain spreadsheets for company business intelligence, firm employees can easily create real-time graphical dashboards with the Informer integration for Vantagepoint or Vision. Learn more about the Blackbox Connector options for Deltek here.

Stay Ahead of the Competition

Many AEC firm leaders are hesitant to make an investment into new technology. However, evaluating current practices and exploring ways to use technology to help streamline your business processes can prove to have a true return on investment. How can Full Sail Partners help you embrace modern technology?

If you’re a Deltek user, you know how robust the products are. As such, it can be a daunting task to learn how to use all the capabilities that Deltek products offer. Well, it doesn’t have to be as overwhelming as you would think. The Deltek Learning Zone (DLZ) can help Deltek users get the most out of their Deltek product.

What is the Deltek Learning Zone?

The DLZ is a one-stop-shop that provides Deltek users with opportunities to learn from experts about Deltek products. More specifically, the DLZ contains numerous flexible educational options that allow you to learn at your own pace and in your own learning style. There are virtual live classes, self-paced learning classes, support videos, workflow and process infographics, as well as quick reference guides. Even more, Deltek has added a new hands-on training lab that allows Deltek users to practice in a test database.

What Are the Benefits of the Deltek Learning Zone?

There are a variety of benefits to using the DLZ:

• Offers a user-friendly interface that allows users to minimize clicks to launch an online learning platform which is in a secure environment and tracks your progress automatically.
• Provides an extensive content library that offers users a comprehensive collection of current content created by the people who design and build Deltek products.
• Allows Deltek users 24/7 access to learn in their preferred style at their convenience using online training techniques.
• Earns Deltek solution certifications proving you have mastered a Deltek product.

Maximize Your Deltek Investment

Start maximizing your firm’s investment in Deltek products with the DLZ. Using the DLZ, you too can become a Deltek expert and increase your ability to more effectively use Deltek products. Additionally, as new Deltek products are brought to bear like Vantagepoint, resources will be made available in the DLZ so there is no hiatus in learning. Let’s get learning!

In project-based firms, marketers play a huge role in business development. They are responsible for keeping company content up to date. Overall, their goal is to have information to promote the firm, its project managers and staff, and its projects. Tackling resumes and project information will ultimately lead to more work for the firm, so it is a necessity to get it done.

Painting a Picture of the Firm

What makes a firm stand out is its people. Every individual is unique and brings specialized experience to the firm. It is important for marketers to show off these skills to promote business development. Thus, marketers must ensure that everyone’s resume is up to date. The certifications, licenses and bios paint a picture of what clients will get if they choose to go with that firm for their projects.

The ideal time to update information is with newly hired people. Once HR has made an offer, marketing can then proceed with identifying the relevant information for content creation. Information should also be gathered on an on-going basis at an established frequency like work anniversaries. Better yet, this can all be done using an automated system.

Crafting the Story to Tell

Another significant way to develop business is through case studies. Potential clients want to know that their projects will be efficiently run and meet their expectations. Stories of smoothly run projects with ideal results are what they desire to see in the firm’s marketing materials.

Marketers need to have successful project details that can be presented to these potential clients. One option is to invite project managers to lunch and there they can fill out project information data. Project information can even be acquired by on-site visits where a marketer is walked through and given a visual of the project. Some firms, once a job is awarded, send someone from marketing to track the project through its duration.

Project information collection and updating can also be automated to ease the burden. Marketers can get project updates at certain milestones depending upon how their stories need to be told. Whatever means your project information is gathered, it is important for marketing to get the specifics showing potential clients why your firm is the one to go with for the next project.

Developing Your Data Collection and Maintenance Program

Now you see the need for marketers to tackle resumes and update project information in order to promote business development. The next question is how can I make all of this happen? Make sure to attend upcoming SMPS regional conferences to watch me, Lindsay Diven, CSPM, Senior Consultant at Full Sail Partners present on this topic.