How Would You Communicate Strict iPad Order Rules to Your Team?

Hi all! How can I write a memo to staff saying that everybody must use the iPad to take orders every single time, no matter how small the order is? When the manager is not on the premises, we can still check from the video cameras who is not using it. Not respecting the rules will lead to dismissal without exception. If the iPad has some problem or is not working, the staff must inform the manager. The one who doesn't do it will face a fine. Thank you.

Dear Lilyana, please prepare the notice for disciplinary action regarding the mentioned misconduct concerning the iPad. Even if any staff member refuses to comply, take the necessary disciplinary action against them and ensure the details are circulated among the staff for the said disciplinary action. This will help maintain good control.

Regards, Sachin Gaikwad

Though Sachin has supported your views, I have a slightly different take.

Focus on Means vs. Ends

The iPad is only a means of noting down the instructions. The end result is the implementation of the instructions. Why is there so much focus on the means rather than the ends? What happens when staff do not note down the instructions on the iPad but instead use a diary or notebook? Why are the age-old methods considered useless? What savings (or losses) does the activity of noting down instructions on the iPad bring?

Surveillance and Motivation

For implementing the instructions, you want to keep the staff under video surveillance? What is your focus on? Getting the best output from your people or policing them? If you issue a memo of this kind, will the staff get demotivated? Have you thought about it?

Leadership and Influence

Leadership is the ability to influence people. To influence, business leaders have to use various powers. What you are talking about is exercising coercive or positional power. However, if you continue to use this power unchecked to make your subordinates compliant, it could backfire on you. Have you thought about it?

Micro-management Concerns

What you are trying to do is nothing but micro-management. But please remember, micro-management has always yielded micro results.

Consequences of Non-compliance

For non-compliance with these instructions, you want to terminate the staff? Is this not the height of coercion?

I request you to reconsider your decision before you send out the memo.

Thanks,

Dinesh V Divekar

Mandatory Use of iPads for Order Taking

Why is it mandatory for everyone to use only iPads for noting down orders? What benefits are you expecting by imposing such conditions? Is there anything that is not in favor of their work or your business, causing losses because of not using iPads for noting down orders?

Your query makes me feel like a teacher asking students not to use Pilot Pens or Gel Pens, but only Ball Pens.

I completely agree with Mr. Divekar and would also like to say that by imposing such conditions of "using iPads for noting down orders is mandatory," and letting them know about your surveillance activities, you are actually working against their morale. This can lead to unwanted and negative results regarding the expected productivity from them.

Your prime motive must be to get maximum output by allowing them to work freely using their style, skills, and experience while following the respective work system. Do not distract them with obligatory actions or scare them by keeping an eye on every action.

Your motive is still not clear. If there is any organizational or business software/application you are using or pre-installed in the issued iPads to employees, which can help them in their work, you and your business by directly entering order details, this issue can be handled wisely. Issuing memos for such a small thing, which I wouldn't even say is an issue, is unnecessary.

If you have allowed or issued iPads to your employees for their work, I believe it must be to enable quick, fast, and easy working, similar to how we issue laptops to employees for their work at home (anytime work) if and whenever required.

I second Mr. Divekar. Leadership is about influencing people, which is one of the characteristics of superior leaders. Quite often, employees need someone to look up to for direction, guidance, and motivation. There are times when many employees need the boss to inspire them by word or action. Employees need someone to look up to, admire, and follow. Even when the production or delivery of services seems to be going well, the leader may need to step in personally to offer a suggestion or encouragement to ensure that employees perform their jobs optimally. However, your determined action by enforcing such a rule may go against the morale of your employees and put you in more difficult situations in the future. Please be aware of it.

Regards.

I assume you are referring to the use of the iPad for taking orders in a restaurant. In this case, you could issue a memo to be displayed on the notice board of the restaurant. Although I think that dismissal for breaching the memo is too harsh a step, you could probably start by charging the staff who breach the memo an amount equivalent to the value of the order. This should help in developing a habit of using the device. Also, making them understand the importance of using the device during team briefings might help.

Hi Friends, I do not see any problem here. If, as assumed in a previous post, the organization is a restaurant, then let there be no other means of taking an order except for the iPad. If a person goes into a room to sleep and finds a bed, then why would that person sleep on the floor? Why would someone not want to use the iPad? This question has not been asked, and the organization says "off with their heads." Well, that is the Middle East, I suppose—follow orders or else get kicked in the butt.

Questions to Consider

Is it difficult to use? Does it slow down the order process? Have the staff been trained to use them? Why do they not want to use the iPads? These questions need to be examined before implementing it forcefully.

They do not need any management skills over there; there are millions waiting around to step in for a job there—one goes, there are 10 more waiting. The same thing is happening in India; leadership skills and management skills have been thrown out of the window; now it's do or die. Engineers, MBAs, or any other certified people are a dime a dozen. There is still some semblance of sanity in the ERP market. Those with ERP skills are still treated properly as there are very few of them to go around. Just remember, if there are lots of something to go around, then it loses its value.

Regards

Dear Members,

Many members venture into writing essays without understanding the problem and the help the person is seeking from the forum. She wants a format (draft) to communicate about the compulsory usage of the iPad without making it sound offensive or threatening. It is the company's policy regarding the iPad. She hasn't asked whether the policy is right or wrong.

Regards,
Shailesh Parikh
Vadodara, Gujarat
[Phone Number Removed For Privacy Reasons]

Members of this forum are not poster's obedient subordinates, nor are they paid consultants. When someone raises a query in an open forum, you are bound to get diverse opinions. Members have every right to scrutinize the intention of the memo. The originator has written that those who do not comply with the instruction could be dismissed. Is this not the height of coercion? Can we jump directly to this punishment? Is this how we expect our employees to get motivated or engaged?

Diversity in replies is a result of a lack of clarity in the original post. So many days have passed since the query was raised. Many posts have appeared, but the originator of the post did not deem it fit to come up with clarification. She has chosen to remain as cool as a cucumber! In my previous post, I also asked many questions, but where are the replies? This speaks of the attitude of the originator of the post. Rather than chiding her stolidity, why are you questioning the respondents?

In fact, there is no provision to debar a member who just hits the question and runs away. That is the real problem.

Dinesh V Divekar

I agree with you that she has asked for a format for communication, but our respected forum members have gone through the insight of the problem, presenting various turns this small act could take. Anybody can find a format on Google, but it's the knowledge and experience our members share that makes us post our problems/requirements at the forum. I am sure even Lilyana Ji will agree with me.

Dear Members,

Many of the members have ventured into writing essays without understanding the problem and the help the person is seeking from the forum.

She wants a format (draft) to communicate about the compulsory usage of the iPad without sounding offensive or threatening. It is the company's policy about the iPad. She hasn't asked whether the policy is right or wrong.

Regards,

Shailesh Parikh

Vadodara, Gujarat

[Phone Number Removed For Privacy Reasons]