We use technology to increase productivity, but what is the threshold when it becomes “too much” and has a detrimental effect? How do we keep employees from getting overwhelmed with technology? Here are a few questions to ask yourself before implementing new technology at your company.
1. Why do you need the new technology?
There are several reasons to adopt new technologies. One primary reason is to stay competitive in your market. Failure to do so can lead you down the same path as companies like Kodak and Blockbuster Video. Those companies did not evolve technologically and were out of business almost overnight. Business models should always be evaluated for growth and change.
2. How will the benefits of new technology offset the costs?
One benefit that can offset costs is a better customer experience. Customers spend up to 17% more with companies that deliver exceptional customer service, so investing in digital transformation can have long-term benefits that justify upfront costs. Another benefit is enhanced workflow. Being more efficient as a company can increase revenue, so integrating your systems to enhance and improve your workflows is worth the cost.
3. Are you improving a process or breaking a process that already works?
A working process does not necessarily mean it cannot be improved upon. Automation tools can be used to create automation tasks for interdependent processes. This technology can perform many tasks you may have spent valuable time doing manually. Getting some of this time back means you can focus on things that could generate more revenue.
4. Are your employees tech-savvy enough for the new technology you want to implement?
When considering new technology, it is essential to evaluate the complexity of the tool. Are the interfaces complicated or easy to use? What is the required training? Will the vendor assist the staff after the software is purchased? Are there training documents and videos available to staff? Making sure that the technology you implement is easy to learn and use is as important as what the technology will do for your firm once implemented.
5. Is it the right time to introduce new technology?
Taking note of the busy or peak season for your company is key. Introducing technology during a busy season or immediately after a busy season could exasperate an already exhausted staff. This can make getting buy-in from those using the new technology difficult. Be sure to speak with key stakeholders about the best time to implement the new technology.
6. Do you have software that can accomplish what the new technology will do?
You should have an explicit knowledge of what the current technology in your environment does. An application features and functionality matrix could help prevent technology overlap. While you may not be able to completely avoid this, minimizing overlap provides several benefits such as reducing costs and creating more efficient workflows. A regular audit of your technology stack is a best practice that should be considered.
7. Does this technology meet your internal needs and requirements?
Buying technology for the sake of buying technology can be detrimental. Be careful not to follow the latest technological trends without considering your business goals. Your firm’s technology should be shaped by what the firm needs, not the latest technology available. Finding the right balance between technology and need is crucial.
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Taking the time to ask yourself these questions can help you avoid pitfalls when introducing new technology into your firm. If you are interested in learning more about our data-driven solutions and how to run a more efficient business, please reach out.
*Content on this page contributed by Tevon Campbell
