Alongside merchandise management, product data is the most valuable information for companies and their customers. Product data is used by a wide variety of departments, from marketing and product management to the web store and many more, depending on how the company in question is structured.
Data maintenance itself is rarely an exciting and fulfilling task. Be it photos created, catalogs compiled or calculations for products. Creating this media and content is a task where you get tangible results that give you satisfaction more quickly and easily. Unfortunately, data maintenance and the use of a PIM are often less satisfactory due to the lack of tangible results and the lack of interest from other departments.
For this reason, having a clear system that is not only easy to use, but also presents requirements and results quickly and obviously, is one of the key factors for high intrinsic motivation. The less effort involved in data maintenance and the more error-free and usable the result, the more satisfied the employees will be.
Faster to a successful workflow with automation
Every task that can be meaningfully automated or at least reduced in complexity, from data import to simple workflow activities to export via various channels, should be automated wherever possible. A well-established and optimized PIM can ensure efficient management, maintenance and use of product information. And with an easy-to-understand interface and a clear division of tasks, this can be accomplished in a straightforward manner.
However, the software alone is not the key to motivated use of a system. The workflow must be specifically defined and enforced. As long as a task is manageable in its complexity and can be completed successfully, it has a motivating effect on employees. Clear responsibility for tasks to be completed helps to create plannable work packages. It also creates visibility, which in turn gives the task a certain value. A clear user and role concept can have a beneficial effect here. However, experience and sensitivity are required at this point, as an incorrectly implemented user or role concept can also lead to frustration, as you have to run to a responsible person “for every little thing”, although this task could possibly be done quickly yourself.
Satisfaction at all points of contact
However, the colleagues who are entrusted with data maintenance are not the only ones who benefit from using a modern PIM system. Almost every user who uses the PIM system to perform their tasks attaches importance to efficient and clear workflows. Marketing may use a PIM differently to a product manager, but both have an intrinsic interest in ensuring that the product information they receive from the system is up-to-date and of high quality. Only if this information meets the requirements and raises the quality of their own work will satisfaction and intrinsic motivation to contribute to success increase.
We at communicode are familiar with workflow mechanics and user/role concepts. In particular, we understand the consideration of all PIM processes along the value chain and their optimization. With our support, you will be able to create a high level of acceptance of your system within the company and motivate your employees in order to guide them through the day with a good feeling, instead of just making them do their job. If the quality of your product information and your turnover also increase “by the way”, this is a good part of our joint success story. Feel free to contact us about your individual business case. We are at your side with all our experience.