It’s noon. In the past few hours that you’ve been awake and working, you’ve probably spent 80% of your time on a digital device. We spend about 7 hours on the internet every day and depending on what you do in your free time, that could be more.
We’re not bagging on technology; in fact, we live for it. But just because most workplaces are using computers and the internet every day doesn’t mean that everyone is using it effectively. Digital adoption is an ongoing process, and if you’re struggling to help your employees use new technologies or are falling behind yourself, you’re definitely not alone!
The good news is that there are a few things you can do to make sure that you’re always using technology in a way that helps you serve your customers better.
Almost Everyone Uses Technology Day-to-Day—Should You Still Be Concerned About Digital Adoption?
When companies introduce new technologies to their employees or workflow, we refer to this as digital transformation. The process of learning and effectively using these technologies is called digital adoption. And while most people know how to use their email and do a Google search, there is so much more to technology that can boost your productivity and bottom line.
Digital adoption goes in waves depending on the roll-out of new technology. The most recent digital adoption period is the use of the cloud. It was introduced, major corporations had the resources to adopt it, and eventually, it filtered down to small businesses.
Since new technology is always being created, there will always be periods of digital transformation and adoption. And that’s good news! Although it can feel overwhelming to keep up with the latest trends and products, the more you know about them, the better equipped you’ll be to use it to your advantage.
What Is the Relationship Between Digital Transformation and Adoption?
Think about it like this: If digital adoption is like learning how to use your new fridge, digital transformation is like renovating your entire kitchen with newer, more efficient appliances. When technology changes so much that your old systems just aren’t cutting it anymore, it’s time for digital transformation.
The pandemic was a hinge point for digital transformation. With remote work and increased consumer demand (we all had so much time on our hands), companies had to adapt. The cloud really took off because people needed information to be stored off-site and have better collaboration tools.
Automation tools also rose to fame because businesses wanted to increase work-life balance and find more strategic ways to use their employees. So to keep it simple, digital adoption is a piece of the digital transformation puzzle.
What Will Stop You From Having Effective Digital Adoption?
There are a few things that can get in the way of effective digital adoption. One is fear: if your employees don’t know how to use the technology, then they’ll be afraid to try it. Misinformation is another key hurdle; many people believe that technology will put them out of a job, which isn’t true!
You might also have to face the following:
- Digital skills gap: Not everyone is as tech-savvy as your Gen-Z employees. If you aren’t prepared to teach them (or hire someone to do so), it might be hard for them to stay up-to-date with all of the latest trends and products.
- Technology overload: It’s so easy for us to get distracted by social media, email, and games on our phones. A lot of people find it hard to stay focused on their work and use technology productively.
- Remote work: If any of your employees work from home and don’t have the right collaboration tools, it’s hard for the whole team to stay productive.
How to Avoid Those Challenges
One of the best ways to avoid these obstacles is to really focus on your digital adoption strategy. Consider how you can train your employees and make sure that you’re always up-to-date with the latest products and trends. By knowing the technology yourself, you can get your employees excited about how the tool or resource will change the way they work.
Another important step is to regularly re-evaluate and make changes as needed. It’s not easy to stay on top of new technology, so it’s important to be flexible and open-minded. Additionally, if some of your employees are hesitant about using the new tools, you may want to consider setting up a mentorship program or providing extra training.
Working with an IT consultant or managed service provider will help you strategize and stay on top of all the changes in the digital landscape. With the right support, you can ensure that your employees are always up-to-speed with the latest technology and feel confident using it to their advantage. At the end of the day, effective digital adoption is about building a strong foundation for your business—both now and in the future.
Increase Digital Adoption with Stability Networks
Technology has the power to completely transform the way you do business, helping you serve your customers better and giving your employees more job satisfaction. Instead of avoiding new tools, you can get all the resources you need to take advantage of them when you partner with Stability Networks.
Whether you’re starting with the basics and trying to learn how to use a website or fully embracing automation and the cloud, we’d love to help! With comprehensive support services, including training and consultations with our experts, technology can be a stepping stone instead of a stumbling block. Schedule a consultation to start working with one of our experts!
