The art of gracefully nudging

[Atlanta Z3]

I need some help with gracefully nudging.  We have a program that tracks projects in which I just spent the last three days knee deep in database design making changes.  We have had several pushes to use this program all of which have flopped.  The admins enter invoices which is not really of any use because it doesn't balance back to anything!  The latest push is to replace monthly reporting by staff members.  The idea is to enter a weekly update (by the admins of course) and then query for a month end report.   This use of the program came from the top and they are the worst offenders for not getting their data in the program!

The bosses make a lot of nose to use the program but when it comes down to it, I hear a lot of excuses: to hard to login in (I'll give them this one, it is a bit of pain to get set up, and then if they don't use it,  they lose the ability to login after a certain time frame), too hard to use the program (which is why I made changes to the data entry screens, a logical format), no time to update or get projects entered (I made a data entry sheet two years ago and have updated the new form, they can fill out electronically in word or paper). I can run all the queries in the world but if they won't give me the updates... I feel I will have lost three days of database updates (will still have knowledge gained, yeah more for the resume!) and we will back to writing monthly reports.

Suggestions for the whiners and detractors?
Sugggestions for the ones who won't give me their updates?

[crackerjack]

You are being kind gracefully nudging. You need to get tougher.

Email everyone who is not doing what they should be doing (and are paid to do). CC in their bosses. Explain again the necessity of the database.

Then send out weekly reminders CCing bosses again so that it becomes second nature.

Also send out another email saying that these people are still outstanding.

[jennika]

I agree, get tougher or cc the big boss.  If I want something done, I just cc the CEO (who I do report to) and things get done fast.   It is funny how if "I" ask they whine, but if I do put the CEO on the email, stuff gets done.  If they do whine it isnt to me!