I saw a discussion last week that was asking for input on ways to reduce employee risk.  Most of the responses offered a technology solution…which is interesting considering most studies and trends show employee risks and weaknesses are getting worse and more alarming even though organizations have spent thousands, millions and billions on technology solutions.  Does this seem weird to you?

One of the responses from one of the participants caught my attention when they said “it is difficult to patch a user”.

Interesting comment and I responded by saying it is NOT THAT DIFFICULT to patch users/employees….IF you are using the right resources.

For example, you wouldn’t get very good results trying to watch HDTV (21st century) on a black and white analog TV (20th century).   Like the TV analogy, organizations are not getting good results trying to “patch their users” using 20th century resources.

Organizations can “patch and validate” a user’s awareness, ensure a user’s accountability and help user’s with adaptability…but this cannot be accomplished using 20th century user solutions like binders, intranets, shared drives, memos, e-mails, spreadsheets, once-a-year general training, etc.

Numerous studies involving hundreds and hundreds of lessons learned and incidents clearly reveal that 20th century user approaches are inefficient and ineffective, period.

As a matter of fact, most organizations are wasting lots of time, lots of money and lots of valuable resources trying to make these old 20th century resources address user/employee risks.

Did you know proven 21st century resources actually exist for “patching users” with situational awareness, accountability, adaptability, measurability, auditability and more?

With the right user/employee focused resources, organizations can help and ensure all appropriate users understand why, how, when, what, what happens if I do, etc.  Organizations can also reduce their costs, improve their results and ensure adaptability in a continuously changing world.

Attention all organizational leaders…this is a lesson learned and a valuable tip you should look into!