Is technology in your organization a tool or a toy? We often look at new gadgets as things to play with and enjoy and as a way to keep us amused, but technology holds so much more value than just entertainment. Technology can be a valuable tool that changes the way you do business. And as technology changes and plays a bigger role in the efficiency and actions of organizations, the role of technology employees also changes.
Instead of sitting in the backroom and just changing passwords, today’s technology employees and leaders play a much larger role. According to Ralph Loura, former CIO of Hewlett Packard’s Enterprise Group, IT employees are now digital explorers who can find new technology for their organizations. They also can play a role in top-line growth, customer experience, value creation, and so much more. In short, the IT team can be an important part of an organization’s strategy, but only if technology is given the weight it deserves as a tool.
To be able to find the best technology for your company, you need to stay on top of technology trends, which can be a full-time job in itself. How do you find new technology without getting overwhelmed? Here are a few of Ralph’s suggestions.
Be selective. You don’t have to adopt every new technology. Just because something is new and exciting doesn’t mean it is a good fit for your company. Focus on new technologies that make economic sense for your company and your customers, not just things that would be fun. Think like a craftsman collecting the best tools, not like a child who just wants all the toys. As the old saying goes, quantity over quality
Leverage employees. Ralph coined the phrase “shallow IT” to take advantage of curious and creative employees. IT departments, especially in large organizations, are typically locked up in big projects and don’t have much time for exploration. However, employees throughout the organization spend much of their time looking for more efficient ways to do their jobs, whether it is in accounting or marketing. In the process, some employees discover new technologies or solutions that could be useful for the entire department or organization. By paying attention to what employees are doing and building on their findings, IT professionals have access to a fresh set of opinions. After employees explore the shallow possibilities, IT can take over for the deep integration of ideas that can be scaled.
Embrace change. New technology can be overwhelming, especially when you come across a product or idea that you just can’t get behind. When that happens, go all in and find out why other people love it so much and learn how it can be beneficial for you. Embrace technological change by learning about new ideas and connecting them to other areas.
Embrace start-ups. Learn about new technology from a variety of sources to find out what up-and-coming organizations are using across a variety of industries. Splitting your time and having connections across new and existing businesses provides you access to a wider variety of perspectives and new ideas and also helps you weed out technology that might not be a good fit for your organization.
As technology professionals work to stay on top of the best trends for their organizations, employees can use that technology to better reach their goals. Instead of sampling reflecting back the technology that employees want, the best IT professionals come in with suggestions of gadgets and programs that can improve efficiency and increase the bottom line.
The way we work is changing, and technology is at the center of it all. With the right tools, your organization can move towards the future.
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