PODCAST SPOTLIGHT Each edition we’ll bring you the freshest podcast content to boost your programs, your knowledge, and hopefully your mood. Grab a coffee, wine, or even your walking shoes and listen in.
These processes require an investment of time for both the vendor and district staff. In particular, integrations require validation from the district that the data is being transferred correctly between systems. Additionally, a good software partner tests the software to ensure it is functioning correctly, and also that it meets the specific needs of the district before go-live. Although the summer is a slower season for most district staff, it is peak implementation season for the vendor, which can impact the amount of time you have to provide feedback on how the software is operating. Instead, an implementation that begins between January and March offers time for the district to provide feedback to the vendor through multiple iterations, ensuring that the data transfer process is as seamless as possible. The additional time also allows for a deeper dive into the business rules that exist in the legacy software. Rather than simply recreating these processes, the district can work with the vendor to see if there are ways to make the configurations align more closely to an optimized business process. >> Personalized Attention << In almost every software implementation, there are five, primary workflows:
Some districts that have performed “off season” implementations have had success by completing steps one-to-four above by the beginning of April, scheduling training for power users in the late Spring, and then delivering end-user training in the Summer. In fact, for districts that use a train-the-trainer method, this has proven incredibly successful, as the district training cadre has time to modify their own training materials, create district training videos, and establish feedback mechanisms to allow the end users to ask questions and provide comments on the training being delivered. At LINQ, for example, we offer our new customers a project manager that is the main point of contact during the implementation. As the district approaches go-live, we introduce a new resource, the customer success manager. This role exists to help the district optimize their experience with the software after go-live. The customer success manager monitors usage in the software. They also offer personalized resources to ensure that the district is getting the highest possible value out of the software.
Mushrooms + Innovative Recipes = Happy Students
In this episode of the Next Up Podcast, Marlon had the opportunity to travel to Bonita California to meet with Stella Ndahura, the Foodservice Director at Bonita Unified School District. Malissa Marsden from the Mushroom Council was able to make the trip as well, and as you
can imagine the topic of the conversation was mushrooms. We spoke about benefits, recipes, and how to get the results you want when introducing them to your menus. Well. . . that and Marlon trying to convince Stella to take him back home to Africa with her!
About this podcast -
The Next Up Podcast series is the landing place for those interested in thought leadership. Here you’ll find the podcast versions of our Live talk show, Premier talk show, and stand alone podcasts. We focus on having real, and open conversations with the most inspiration, intellectual, innovative, individuals from across the globe that share a common desire to help others be the best version of themselves.
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Winter is the Best for K-12 Software Implementation
Additional time allows for deep conversations between the software project manager, the customer success manager, and the district contact to create a sustainable plan moving forward. Taking on an implementation during the slow season of your software choice reduces stress. It also increases the chances that you have not just a good implementation, but a great one. You don’t have to wait until summer to get started - in fact, the best time is now.
1. Installation 2. Data migration 3. Integration 4. Configuration 5. Training
Los Angeles Unified School District Member Highlight 44 min
Many of these tasks can be performed in tandem. But, you will have a better experience if these can be performed linearly. For example, training can take place at any point during the implementation, but is always more powerful when the end user can see district data and use district-defined configurations.
In this episode, we had the opportunity to spend some time with Manish Singh from LA Unified. Manish has a degree from Delhi University in Hotel Management (India’s premier hotel management school), an MBA, and a CASBO certification. He has been with his district for the past 15 years where he’s grown the CEP program
and feeds 137 million meals annually to roughly 500,000 students. During the pandemic, he partnered with local Food Banks, USDA’s Farmer to Families, and the Red Cross to distribute over 140 million meals to students across the community. Manish is passionate about food and committed to providing his students with the types of delicious and nutritious meals they need and want.
Matt Muller began his career as a classroom teacher before transitioning to educational technology. A veteran of two decades in educational software, he has implemented hundreds of software applications including student information systems, Enterprise Resource Planning, student learning, assessment, and administrative systems at schools and school districts across the United States. Matt lives in Tampa, Florida, and presently serves as the Chief Revenue Officer for LINQ. A frequent presenter at state and national conferences, Matt was recently a panelist at the Council of Great City Schools CIO conference in Atlanta, Georgia. Matt Muller Chief Revenue Officer, LINQ
About this podcast -
The Urban Update Podcast is brought to you by the Urban School Food Alliance. The USFA was created in 2012 to address the unique needs of the nation’s largest school districts. As a 501©3 nonprofit, we share best practices, develop procurement strategies, and advocate for the health and wellness of students.
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