New technology, tools, and apps are exciting. It’s fun to see the new features or tricks new tech can bring.
However, constantly bringing new tech to your small business can actually be dangerous. If it isn’t implemented correctly, adopting new tech you hoped would make your team more efficient can actually do the opposite.
There are three main dangers of implementing new technology. Let’s take a look at what they are.
1. A poor implementation strategy (or lack of one completely) can tank the company’s efficiency and cause major setbacks.
Regardless of the size of your team, there will always be an adjustment period when introducing new tech. Your team members will need time to get familiar with the new technology and a plan to help them get up to speed.
If you fail to create an implementation strategy that properly introduces your new technology to your employees, it can create major setbacks. Your team members will be unable to do their jobs effectively, causing a dip in productivity that can seriously damage your bottom line and leave customers unhappy.
It can take weeks––or even months––to recover from these setbacks. This kind of damage can throw off an entire year of budgets and projections.
It’s not fair to your employees to constantly throw new technology platforms at them without any direction. If you’re going to implement a new technology, you need to have a comprehensive plan in place to ensure productivity stays high and everyone knows exactly what they’re doing.
2. Technology is expensive and becomes obsolete by the time it’s functioning the way it’s intended to.
Every new technology company believes they’re the next big thing. They spend loads on marketing, get your team all excited, and promise to be the last tool you’ll ever buy. Unfortunately, this is rarely the case.
Technology needs are constantly changing, meaning what you need today might not be what you need tomorrow. The new tech you introduce to your company this quarter may not help you achieve the goals of next quarter, meaning you’ve spent loads of money investing in a product that doesn’t bring long-term results.
It also takes time to get up and running. Between implementation and training your employees, by the time your technology is up and running the way it’s supposed to, you’ll be ready for the next big thing.
Before investing in any new technology, you need to think about the return on your investment. If you’re just purchasing because of a company’s flashy marketing campaign, you may want to reconsider.
3. Employees are partial to prior tech used and may be reluctant to get on board with change.
Let’s face it––not everyone embraces change. It’s disruptive and requires making adjustments. If your employees aren’t struggling with the current technology you’re using, they may be reluctant to pick up something new.
When running a small business, it’s important to think about your employees and what they need. Because hiring and onboarding new employees can be costly and time consuming, you want to do what you can to convince them to stick around––even when it comes to the technology you use.
Before changing your company’s tech stack, consider how your employees feel about the tech you’re currently using. Assess if it is able to get the job done. If your team isn’t looking to make a switch, it’s better to just leave your tech as it is.
You can also talk with your employees to see what gaps in technology they may need filled. This can prevent you from needing to change technology frequently because you’re going straight to the source to determine where they need the most help. Working with your team can get them on board and make them more excited for change.
New technology can help your small business grow efficiently––but only when implemented correctly. Being aware of these three dangers of inappropriately adding new technology to your business can prevent you from making mistakes that can compromise the success of your business.
About the Author
Kevin Gardner graduated with a BS in Computer Science and an MBA from UCLA. He works as a business consultant for InnovateBTS where he helps companies integrate technology to improve performance. He shares his knowledge and expertise not only with his clients but with his fellow bloggers and readers.
