Adopting New Technology

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Making Sure Employees Adopt New Technology

There is an ongoing need in organizations to introduce new technology, yet people are often highly resistant to welcoming and adopting the new systems. Getting people to adopt new technology involves many of the principles required for overcoming resistance to any change—and then some, according to Warner B. Wims, Ph.D., President of WBW&Associates.

What do you do?
Engage those impacted to define the problem or opportunity that improved technology can address
Involve them in identifying how technology will support their needs
Help them see the immediate short-term payoffs (e.g., better information, efficiencies) as well as long-term benefits
Describe benefits of the technology in terms of the users’ own core values (e.g., they may value having better information, the impact on their reputation, autonomy, safety and security, or their customers, or their own personal success)
Explain and show how new technology can help reduce errors, increase productivity, enhance quality, increase customer service, and save money
Select a user-friendly name for the technology that emphasizes its user value (e.g., “Customer Link”, “Management Facilitator”)
Tie technology strategy to organizational and business strategy
Clarify the implications of implementing the new technology strategy and also explain the consequences of not applying that strategy
Clarify the eventual return on investment
Demonstrate how technology will lead toward more meaningful and satisfying work
Identify early adopters – those particularly interested in technology who are intellectually stimulated by being involved, some initial skeptics, and people in leadership roles
Give recognition to early adopters
Make initial experiences with the new technology as user-friendly as possible
Choose simple applications first, to get people involved, then roll out additional uses
Start with something that is likely to create enthusiastic early adopters who will spread the word to others
Modify the workflow as needed to ease implementation
Pay attention to the quality of information input into the system
Establish a measuring process for tracking gains resulting from technology, and compare results of users versus non-users
As it’s installed, be alert to and address unintended consequences (e.g., new problems or opportunities)
Advertise success stories
Establish information and technology management as an ongoing core competency of the organization


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