Early Adopters – If you’re a tech geek and Windows 11 has just come out (which hasn’t yet, but for purposes of this discussion, let’s say it has), you will install on the same release date.
Late Adopters – Here are the
As the Director of E-Commerce at Intercon Furniture Inc (a huge company), getting executives to “buy into” new technology was an exceptional challenge.
Here is there business model: (which has been successful since 1974. They have salesman that work based on regional proximity, the only (essentially) employ accounts to deal with B2B transactions, and warehouse workers.
The use traditional forms of communication- email, texts and long-lasting phone calls. They are a distributor, leaving little room for B2C, personal, unique marketing.
Before I finished my project-based position, I introduced them to Microsoft Teams, which is the equivalent of Slack and/or Discord. The problem I was facing was getting people to Actually Use the product.
As a furniture company, essentially they …………….
“Make the World a Better Place” (cliche)
Tech breakthroughs are making our lives easier — both in and out of the office.
Thanks to technology, more companies are offering telecommuting options to employees, according to a recent SHRM study.
Yet, amid all these improvements, only a meager 27% of American employees have access to the latest technology in the workplace, according to Oxford Economics’ Workforce 2020 report. Now that millennials, who grew up using new technology, are becoming decision-makers and stepping into middle management, it seems more of the workforce should have already adopted new technology.
The problem might be due to difficulties convincing seasoned executives to rethink their current tools. “Our company has been doing things this way for 50 years,” millennials may hear from higher-ups.
The challenge is to convince executives from different walks of life to see the value in these newfangled technologies. Ultimately, the next generation of leaders taking over the world’s top organizations need to lead the charge in adopting new technology so the workforce can benefit from innovation to the fullest extent.
Here are a few approaches employees can take to lead a team of early tech adopters.
1. Show the benefits of knowing employee competencies
Up to 75% of HR professionals believe integrating competency and skill data into talent management systems is critical, according to CEB’s 2014 Global Assessment Trends report. Knowing the specific skills and competencies of each employee can help managers better identify area experts and plan training programs accordingly.
One tangible benefit: Adopting a training platform with a company-wide directory of employee skills enables workers to access contacts they can get in touch with to learn new skills.
2. Present a retention solution with development opportunities
More than half of hiring managers say they’re having trouble finding and retaining millennials, according to the 2015 Millennial Majority Workforce report. It’s not hard to see what’s making the younger generation so restless in their careers.
New technology promises, “With this, you can be better, faster, do less work and finally feel like you fit in.”New technology promises, “With this, you can be better, faster, do less work and finally feel like you fit in.” When the workplace — where efficiency matters most — doesn’t offer those same opportunities, stagnation sets in. Millennials can
hardly stand it. Generation Z will run out the door (or never enter in the first place) and never look back.
Workplaces need to offer the right opportunities for employees to learn and grow in their careers, and it shouldn’t look much different from how we use technology in our personal lives. Leverage Internet-based learning solutions like video chat, instant messaging, question forums and content searching to improve the retention rates that burden HR and appease eager young professionals.
3. Reveal social learning as a cost-effective training solution
One of the reasons executives might refrain from adopting new technology in the workplace is the perceptive expense that comes along with it. But not all new tech solutions break the bank, especially when they produce a generous ROI in training, engagement and retention — areas most organizations struggle to improve.
The key is to implement an affordable training platform that will develop employees into multi-skilled innovators who can grow the business and increase profits. They just need to have the right resources within closer reach. And by “resources,” I mean the existing knowledge of other employees via a company intranet and communication platform.
Employees may be skilled in individual areas of expertise, but if they have the means to share their knowledge with one another on a regular basis, they can be be part of a collaborative, intelligent super-team.
Though it’s going to take some serious work to sell the value of adopting new technology in the workplace, but employees can start by addressing how technology offers real solutions to the main challenges holding organizations back today.
Does your company use a communication system that fosters innovation? Tell us in the comments.
