Many organisations spend millions of dollars attempting to implement new technology only for it to fail due to poor onboarding. This isn’t just damaging on the bottom line; it can also lead to a fear of technology adoption in the future that causes business stagnation.
It’s not surprising that technology implementation can pose a significant challenge. Today’s businesses are using more programs than ever before, with almost half of all Chief Information Officers believing they use too many, and the average SMB using over 14 separate applications.
So how can businesses overcome common technology adoption challenges, hone in on programs like video conferencing that offer the best business value, and ensure these profitable applications are used to their full potential by staff?
Here are some of the most common mistakes businesses mistake when adopting new technology at work.
1. Failing to Account for the End User’s Needs
Many organisations invest in the latest technology hoping to gain a competitive edge. After all, it’s natural to be intrigued by new technology. But businesses first need to consider what it will accomplish, how it fits into the workplace culture, solves current challenges, and contributes to achieving future goals.
A user-needs analysis is an essential first stage in adopting new technology at work. For example, a prevalence of unproductive physical meetings, low levels of collaboration with remote teams and friction caused by phone calls may clearly illustrate the need for video conferencing software in the workplace.
2. Lack of Staff Input
Companies that fail to involve their employees in their decision-making process when considering new software will undoubtedly face resistance. Employees who have been ‘doing it their way’ for years can be frustrated by having to learn another method, which is why close staff consultation is a key component of successful technology adoption.
Ensure you explain the rationale behind the proposed software, the tangible benefits it promises to them, and the support resources that are available if you choose to go ahead. And of course, gather feedback from staff at all stages.
3. Lack of Proper Due Diligence
Business technologies are emerging at an unprecedented rate (just look at the growth of the marketing technology landscape in the past five years for example).
These new applications are often promoted with savvy marketing campaigns, so it’s up to businesses to look beyond the attractive packaging and uncover the true value that the program can offer their team.
Impulsive technology purchases will soon fall flat in implementation, as you discover that the program isn’t the ideal solution you believed it to be.
4. Lack of Training Support
Expecting immediate proficiency from employees is one of the most obvious and one of the most severe mistakes companies make in implementing new technology. Proper onboarding needs to include robust training programs and an understanding that not all employees are equally tech-savvy.
Businesses should also expect to lean on the software provider for support resources. For example, at CommuniCloud we have a dedicated Support Centre to upskill employees on our programs, including training videos, guided tutorials, FAQs centre and downloadable user guides.
While the onus is on managers to ensure all staff are trained correctly, they should also expect their technology provider to offer support services like ours.
5. Not Considering the Change Impact
Change management is a complex and critically important business function, and more often than not, it’s unsuccessful. In fact, research from McKinsey and Company shows that as much as 70% of all change programs ultimately fail.
Integrating new technology into your business, whether it’s within a single department or across the entire organisation, requires a careful review of the change impact. Employees who resist the technology, don’t understand it’s value, or don’t feel adequately trained will become frustrated, unmotivated and unproductive. Planning for these change roadblocks is essential.
To learn more about how CommuniCloud programs have transformed businesses for the better, get in touch with us today.