So you recently decided to implement new technology in your business practices. Congratulations on that. Incorporating new technologies in your business practices will make them more effective and productive. But only if one can see them and utilize them accurately. We are sure that you will have a gameplan on how to implement them. But do you have one that will allow your employees and every stakeholder at your company to increase its adoption? Improper adoption of these technologies will result in a waste of time, effort, and money from your end. It will also impact your return on investment severely.
You do not achieve the adoption of these technologies through training or education. You do it through user commitment and engagement. You will disrupt the daily routines of all individuals involved with your business when you implement any new technology into your business practices. It can lead to frustration and annoyance from your employee, which will tank down their productivity levels. If you do not address this issue, it will lead to slow customer response times, create customer and employee dissatisfaction, and cause unnecessary delay.
However, follow some technology implementation steps. You will ensure that the entire implementation process will go as smoothly as possible. Listed below are six steps you need to follow to implement any new technology into your business without any hitches and hassles.
STEP 1 – ALIGN YOUR STRATEGY WITH TECHNOLOGY
Businesses sometimes implement new technologies due to brand name and vendor recognition, such as SAP, Oracle, and Epic. It is not because it meets business requirements or allows them to achieve some business-specific goals. When you implement something new into your business, you have to consider your strategy and avoid implementing only because of vendor name or recognition. Give thought to how it will help you achieve your business goals.
For example, you should think about how new technology will aid you to file Self Employed Taxes if your business files taxes for other people. Will it make the entire tax filing process faster, or will it slow things down even more? In the end, whatever technology you introduce should align with your end goals and provide you the ability to achieve them faster.
STEP 2 – COMMUNICATE THE PROCESS OF IMPLEMENTATION
Achieving effective adoption of any new technology will not be possible without communicating with stakeholders as early as possible. You need to identify the stakeholder you need to share it with before you do anything. You will also need to keep them in the loop whenever you implement something new. After all, it will affect them as well.
Implementation will only be beneficial if you communicate with them instead of applying it directly. Plus, not every single stakeholder needs to know about the technology you plan to implement. You will find it hard to justify the implementation process to some of them as it will help your business growth will not be enough.
STEP 3 – CONDUCT AN ANALYSIS OF YOUR CURRENT SYSTEM
Implementation of any new technology into your current system will sometimes cause compatibility issues. What if you find out that the new technology turns out to be incompatible with the systems you already have in place. It will disrupt daily business practices, which will lead to a reduction in productivity and other business-related problems. Before you do anything else, it is wise to review and research all new technologies.
Purchasing a technology system because it is the latest and the best is the worst decision you can ever make. Ensure that your current one allows you hassle-free integration with the new one. You can know this by conducting a detailed review and analysis of your existing system. When you do, and you have the results, you can make an informed decision. Doing this as early as possible will allow you to avoid delays, build time costs, and much more.
STEP 4 – DEVELOPING A TRAINING PLAN EARLY
One of the biggest problems faced when implementing any new technology is the lack of customized and sufficient training programs. Whenever you purchase a new technology system from a vendor, they offer training programs along with it. Any technology will not benefit you if you do not know how to use it accurately. However, most of these training programs are not standard to your business practices, and it will require more work and adjustments. To ensure adoption goes as smoothly as possible, offer personalized training programs to your stakeholders and all your employees.
Also, some individuals will be able to adopt the new technology better than others. You will have to offer them a customized training program that focuses on their weaknesses.
STEP 5 – MANAGE THE DEPLOYMENT
The management of new technology should consist of key players at your business and individuals who will utilize it daily. Some of them implement new technology and fail to create a governance system hoping it will run by itself. These individuals must voice any concerns regarding new system technology and its use.
When they feel that you listen to them, it will lead to a better adoption rate and avoidance of any resistance to adopting the technology. In the end, a happy employee will be more productive than someone you do not listen to and value.
STEP 6 – MONITOR ANY CHANGES AND CORRECT IF NEEDED
After successfully implementing the new technology, you will have to monitor if it is causing disruptions in daily business routines. And then take steps to correct your course towards your business goals. The introduction of new technology can impact anyone, be it an employee or stakeholder. If they are facing issues regarding the implementation, ask them what they are.
Once you implement the technology, do not expect that there will not be any problem. Unexpected problems such as crashes, slowdowns, operation issues can occur. You have to stay prepared and ready to tackle them as you go along.
CONCLUSION
If you want to implement technology successfully and without delays, you have to address the challenges as early as possible. To avoid resistance and adoption issues, you will have to gain your employees’ and stakeholders’ support. Ask them for their commitment as it will be beneficial for both them and your business. Take a look at these six steps and follow them to the tee if you want to implement technology into your business without any issues.
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