Citycare: Coaching your team to become change champions

Rolling out new digital tools in a municipal team can be tricky—especially when it involves using personal phones.

As a manager, you want to test Citycare in a smooth, low-pressure way, ensuring that your team remains open to innovation without feeling obligated to participate.

💡 Good news: This guide will help you lead a positive, well-structured conversation with your team about using their personal phones during the Citycare trial.

1️⃣ Clarify the Objective: Why Test Citycare?

Before introducing Citycare to your team, make sure you clearly understand the benefits of the project.

Here’s how you can frame the conversation:

✅ Citycare is here to help, not to monitor – It optimizes task management, simplifies communication, and improves working conditions.

✅ No obligation – No one is required to use their personal phone; this is a temporary and voluntary test.

✅ An opportunity to improve daily work – A small-scale trial can demonstrate benefits, making it easier to advocate for compensation or city-provided work phones in the future.

📌 Manager Tip: During the discussion, emphasize that this is just a test, not a long-term commitment.

Present it as a collaborative experiment that could make their work easier.

2️⃣ How to Talk to Your Team About It

Your approach is just as important as your message. Here’s how to introduce Citycare in a way that encourages participation:

👷‍♂️ Team Meeting – Presenting Citycare Transparently

"Hey team, we have the opportunity to test a new tool, Citycare, which could simplify how we manage tasks and improve efficiency in the field.

I want to be clear—this is completely voluntary. It’s just a test, and no one is required to use their personal phone.

For those interested in trying it out, the idea is simple: let’s see if it actually makes work easier. If the trial is successful, it will help us push for fair compensation for those using their phones, or even city-provided devices.

The goal isn’t to add more work, but to make things simpler. If some of you are willing to test it, we can start with a small group and see how it goes.”

📌 What to Avoid:

❌ Forcing participation – Keep the approach open and voluntary.

❌ Minimizing concerns – Listen carefully and address their questions transparently.

❌ Positioning it as a management tool – Emphasize how it benefits them directly (less paperwork, better communication, time savings).

3️⃣ Who Should Participate in the Trial?

✅ Start with a small pilot group – 2 to 5 volunteers is enough to test Citycare smoothly and make adjustments if needed.

✅ Set clear trial guidelines – Define a limited duration (e.g., 30 days) with a mid-point review to check progress.

✅ Gather feedback – Ask testers what works well, what could improve, and how they feel about using Citycare.

📌 At this stage, the goal is to learn and refine the process before rolling it out to the entire team.

4️⃣ What Happens After the Trial?

From the start, explain what could come next if the trial is successful:

If Citycare makes work easier, the municipality may consider:

✅ A monthly compensation plan for personal phone use.

✅ Providing work phones for those who prefer to keep work and personal use separate.

✅ A collective evaluation – The team can decide whether the tool should be permanently adopted.

📌 The goal: Show that there is potential for evolution, and that their participation now could positively impact their working conditions later.

5️⃣ Addressing Concerns & Handling Objections

You’ll likely face some common concerns. Here’s how to respond tactfully 👇

🔹 “I don’t want to use my personal phone for work.”

👉 “That’s completely understandable, which is why this test is 100% voluntary. If it works well, we can advocate for compensation or work-provided phones.”

🔹 “How will my personal data be protected?”

👉 “Citycare does not collect any private data. It does not track your location or personal activities—only work-related tasks.”

🔹 “Another new technology?”

👉 “The goal is to make your job easier, not more complicated. The app is simple and user-friendly, and we’re here to help if you have any questions.”

💡 Conclusion: This Trial Will Fuel A Collective Decision

Introducing Citycare shouldn’t feel like a burden—it should be seen as an opportunity.

By following these steps:

✅ You present the project with transparency and a positive approach

✅ You involve your team in the decision

✅ You demonstrate that they have nothing to lose, but a lot to gain

📌 Relevant Articles on This Topic:

🔗 Retaining Public Works Employees in a Competitive Market

🔗 Public Works: Lowering Stress with Smartphones

🔗 Job Satisfaction: Public Works Employees Want More Autonomy

👋 How do you introduce new technologies to your team?

Share your experiences and tips in the comments!

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