Jump Start Your Paper - Lite Journey by Pamela C. Barker

By now, most organizations have attempted to at least start their paper-lite journey. Some have been successful, while others have not. In any case, by no means has it been an easy task without obstacles. The reality is that the road to a truly paper-lite office environment is going to take time. After all, it is a journey.

Research

Think of your journey to a paper-lite office environment like a family vacation. The first step is for the family to decide where to go. So, the family conducts some research of various popular vacation spots, either by searching the Web or by conversing with close friends.

Similarly, the first step to starting your paper-lite journey is to do your research. There are plenty of case studies online that explain how organizations successfully went paper-lite. Additionally, nonprofit organizations such as ARMA International, AIIM, the Association for Information and Image Management and the International Legal Technology Association have numerous peer groups to help you connect with individuals in your industry vertical. You are undoubtedly bound to connecting with someone who has successfully made the transition, can help you avoid unnecessary detours that keep you from reaching your destination.

Planning for the journey

After the family has decided on a vacation spot, the next step would be to plan how to get there. The same holds true when starting your paper-lite journey. After conducting research, plan how you are going to get started.

Since this is a journey, it is important to create a road map that outlines your plan over the next several years. For example, you may make it a goal to scan a specific business unit's records in the first year and tackle different business units in your second and third years. The point is to document your progress and evangelize your successes. When department heads understand the value of removing paper: increasing productivity while taking out costs, you'll gain real momentum..

Execution

Think about how pointless it would be for a family to plan a vacation, only to never book the trip. It would not make much sense. So, be sure not to stop at the planning stage of your paper-lite journey.

Discuss group heads challenges they have in ways information is accessed and managed to support key functions such as contracts processing, employee onboarding, or customer service. Assess and document the current situation and look for ways to make it more efficient by removing the paper. If you can get a digital contract approved in days what used to take weeks, what is the value to the organization? By establishing value, you give your organization the confidence and metrics you need to continue making progress.

Though going paper-lite may seem like a daunting task in your records and information management efforts, by taking it one step at a time and properly planning for the different stops along the way, you can implement a plan that gets you on the road to success.

Follow me on Twitter @PamelaCBarker

LINK:	http://blogs.ironmountain.com/2015/uncategorized/jump-start-your-paper...
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