Demonstrating the true ROI of a Meeting Room Project through User Value.

A People-centric Approach

When it comes to designing and deploying technology in the workplace, a people-first approach will always lead to a better return on investment. And a people first approach means prioritising user value – in other words, ensuring the new technology meets the needs of the people who are going to use it.

Let's look at User Value in more detail:

User value refers to the benefits or satisfaction that users (your people) gain from a product or service. This can include both tangible and intangible aspects of their interaction with the product or service, all of which either enhance or detract from the overall experience.

In essence, user value is how a product or service fulfils the users' requirements, wants, and needs. It's about connecting with the hearts and minds of your teams—a do-with, not a do-to approach and is a key concept in designing and deploying technology in the working environment.

This inclusive approach at the planning stage results in positive and continued engagement from your team, which is crucial for the success of any technology rollout. Neglecting to consider it from the outset could cost you massively in the long run.

How do we achieve this all-important buy-in early on in the process?

Cross-section workshops

Individual interviews

Stakeholder interviews

Defining user types

Meeting types

Specific applications required for certain roles

Ultimately defining what success looks like for teams

Measuring the benefits - To demonstrate the ROI of a meeting room project through user value, we need to measure both business and human metrics.

Business metrics

Efficiency: When a product or service helps people complete tasks more quickly or with fewer resources, it adds value. For example, video conferencing technology that simplifies communication, improves collaboration, and helps to innovate teamwork. The typical employee spends an average of 51 minutes a day trying to get their technology to work effectively for them. Anything that can reduce this stress and win back that time is going to add value.

Cost Saving: If a solution reduces expenses for people (e.g., reduced energy consumption, less travel), it delivers tangible value. More hybrid working environments can contribute to real cost savings, not to mention the positive impact it can have from an environmental perspective. Fewer people commuting = reduced carbon footprint for the business they work for.

Quality and Reliability: People appreciate products that consistently perform well and meet their expectations. Having an efficient, reliable meeting room environment improves the quality of the experience for everyone involved. It also reduces downtime, ultimately improving the bottom line for the business.

Human metrics

User Experience (UX): A positive UX enhances user value. If the meeting environment is set up to make it easy and intuitive to use, and is supported with effective user adoption, then the UX will only be good. Good UX = User Value and a clear ROI on the investment made in the project.

Emotional Satisfaction: When a product resonates with people emotionally (e.g., delight, trust, nostalgia), it creates intangible value. For example, iPhone users will often overlook glitches with the iOS because the quality of the photos is so good, and our phones act as libraries for our memories. As a result - once an iPhone user, always an iPhone user. Presenting and managing meeting dynamics can be stressful, so the easier we can make it, the better the user will feel about managing this stress and the better the value and ROI.

Brand Perception: Think of your business as a brand. A strong brand image can positively impact user value. Brands associated with trust, innovation, or social responsibility often have loyal customers and will find it easier to hire and retain talent.

Data-driven insights

Remember, the importance of user value doesn’t end when the technology is installed. Continued engagement with your team plus ongoing data collection can help identify areas where users will benefit the most from the new technology. This leads to higher adoption rates, lower churn, and, ultimately, increased average revenues per user (ARPU).

The consequences of neglecting User Value

Failing to consider user value can lead to massive costs in the long run. According to a study by McKinsey, companies that invest in understanding user value are 2.5 times more likely to achieve their business goals. Additionally, a 10% increase in user adoption can lead to a 30% increase in revenue.

Conclusion

The largest investment any organisation will ever make is in its people – the users of the technology. So it makes sense to both consider and protect your biggest investment by recognising the needs of your people and ensuring that the technology enhances their experience or solves their problems. In doing so, you can greatly increase the likelihood of a successful technology adoption and integration into daily operations.