Technology Adoption and Change — Thorne Riddell MicroLab
MicroLab | Thorne Riddell
Anchored the group leading the cross-Canada deployment and support of practice technologies, including working paper software, tax preparation software, office productivity tools, and email. Supported a network of peer support coordinators using electronic communications.
BACKGROUND
In 1983 Thorne Riddell was the Canadian member of KMG — one of the "big eight" global accounting firms.
PAIN POINTS
- Accelerated development and adoption of office automation tools in the early 1980's following the introduction of the IBM PC.
- Opportunity to adopt technologies for increased productivity of audits and other services.
- Pockets of local office expertise and experience to be leveraged nationally.
- Disparate regional efforts to standardize on software tools and approaches.
OUTCOMES
In its first year of operation, Microlab achieved and supported:
- Common tax software and training programs
- Common working paper software and training programs
- A trans-Canada telecommunications network based upon the Envoy 100 email system — later expanded to a national then international store-and-forward email network ahead of the broad adoption of the Internet
- Common office automation tools and support (word processing, spreadsheets, database, and utility tools)
- National purchasing arrangements for common software and for auditor, professional, office support, and national resource workstations
- At the conclusion of his one-year secondment to MicroLab, Michael's colleagues published a collection of his email communications in commemoration of his role in anchoring the virtual team. Michael continued for several years as an advisor to the group.
CONSULTING RESPONSE
Microlab was formed as a virtual team with a national mandate, under the leadership of an office partner from Calgary, an entrepreneurial partner from Vancouver, two part time resources representing computer audit and a computer services division, and Michael, seconded from Thorne Stevenson Kellogg into the role of administrator. Michael's work included:
- Establishing an office coordinator network.
- Engaging the partners of Thorne Riddell in their own hands-on initiatives with the emerging techologies.
- Engaging office coordinators and other key in individuals in regional train-the-trainer sessions and conferences.
- Engaging office coordinators in ongoing discussions using email, providing information on developments around the firm through MicroNews.
- Supporting office coordinators and others with a central hot line for troubleshooting and general advice.
- Initiating a regular support newsletter for coordinators and individuals across the firm.
- Selecting, standardizing, rolling out and supporting office support and practice automation tools.
- Supporting the application of the tools and telecommunications network to national initiatives.
- Coordinating with the ongoing work and support of additional part time resources assisting Microlab.