Staying competitive in today’s economy is not easy. However, for small businesses, adopting new technology is a way to accelerate growth, improve efficiency, and differentiate from competitors.
But new technology is often met with resistance from team members due to fear of the unknown. The good news, however, is that there are strategies that small business leaders can use to get team members on board and encourage the adoption of new technology.
Strategies for Adopting New Technology in Your Company
1. Make it easy for your team to use new technologies
Don’t just put a new tool on your team’s metaphorical desk and expect it to be a success. Instead, start slowly to allow team members to warm up and become familiar with the new technology. To help your team understand new concepts comfortably, start with a “crawl, walk, run” approach, comparing them to systems the team already uses. It’s also a good idea to introduce an element of fun to the new tool by pointing out fun features that make the platform more enjoyable and less intimidating.
Once your team has established a frame of reference for the new tool, you can proceed with a “walk-the-walk” approach. Conduct a two-week trial period to see how your team reacts to the new software and if it’s a good fit for your organization. Often, you don’t know how something works until team members actually start using it.
It’s never a good idea to introduce a new tool without preparing it first. Do everything you can to customize and organize the tool in a way that makes sense for your organization before introducing it to your team. This means integrating the tool into current organizational workflows or creating demos that are tailored specifically to the way your company and employees work. That way, the tool doesn’t seem empty and impersonal when users start to explore it on their own.
After you’ve tailored the tool to your team’s needs and given them a trial period, many employees are ready to use the new technology and fully integrate it into their daily work.
2. Lead with empathy
It’s important to always be empathetic to team members’ needs when introducing new software. Some of them may already be overwhelmed with work, and it may be difficult for them to find the mental energy or time in their day to learn a new tool.
Show employees that you’ve carefully considered how the new software will impact their workday. Create materials that outline the benefits of the new tech and how it will positively impact both their everyday lives and the business goals as a whole. Remind employees that new tech is being implemented with the goal of helping to make their working lives more efficient and productive.
Once your team has established a frame of reference for the new tool, you can proceed with a “walk-the-walk” approach. Conduct a two-week trial period to see how your team reacts to the new software and if it’s a good fit for your organization. Often, you don’t know how something works until team members actually start using it.
It’s never a good idea to introduce a new tool without preparing it first. Do everything you can to customize and organize the tool in a way that makes sense for your organization before introducing it to your team. This means integrating the tool into current organizational workflows or creating demos that are tailored specifically to the way your company and employees work. This way, the tool doesn’t seem empty and impersonal when users start to explore it on their own.
After tailoring the tool to your team’s needs and giving them a trial period, many employees are ready to use the new technology and fully incorporate it into their work.
3. Accommodate Different Learning Styles
First, it helps managers become familiar with and comfortable using the new technology so they can teach the tool to their teams. Getting buy-in from your team leaders will make it easier to get buy-in from other employees.
Some employees will undoubtedly adapt to new technology faster than others. Encourage your employees to quickly adapt to new software and tools. Use them as examples and ask if they would be willing to provide training or be a resource for others.
Remember that everyone learns differently. Some employees may enjoy learning independently and exploring tools on their own, while others may need a human to guide them through how to use them. Accommodate both types of learning by providing self-help resources or hosting office hours where employees can ask questions and see demos of new technology.
4. Be open to feedback
When you introduce a new tool, your team members will have a lot to say about it. Maintain an open-door policy when soliciting feedback. Encourage team members to share what they like and dislike about the new software. This feedback will help you determine whether the new tool is too much or whether employees don’t understand it.
Create a simple platform where employees can share their thoughts. For example, we have a dedicated feedback channel where people can easily share issues and discuss in real time what’s working and what’s not.
The importance of employee engagement when adopting new technology
Adopting new technology can give small businesses a competitive advantage by enabling employees to work faster and smarter. But don’t forget to consider the needs of your team members when adopting new technology.
Keep an open mind and always be prepared to help your team navigate technological transitions. Balancing a growing tech stack with employee satisfaction will position your company for future success.
