It was not too long ago that technology completely changed the way business was conducted in the average office across North America.
The internet allowed companies to connect with partners, employees and customers around the world. Personal computers gave each employee incredible capabilities, eliminating many time consuming tasks such as recording data by hand. Complex firewalls and security programs kept the information of the company and their customers secure, safety out of the reach of competitors and criminals.
A Technological Plateau
And yet, it feels as though we have hit a bit of a plateau in our office productivity. The amount of technology and devices we utilize on a daily basis is increasing, but is our productivity? An average employee today can utilize and respond to email at almost the same rate as an employee in 1999, except today we deal with hundreds of emails instead of a few per day. Many companies are using their printers in the exact same manner as they did 10 years ago, maybe taking longer to complete the task as they scroll through their Instagram feed at the printer station. What happened to office technology making us more profitable and efficient?
The problem may not be rooted in the actual technology or the devices. The challenge modern businesses face is finding ways to make the technology work for them- the capabilities are there, but the systems and the application knowledge often lacks. The business that succeeds moving forward will be a contributor to IT leadership, and seek guidance when it comes to integrating technology into their processes and future plans. The business owners and managers that approach technology with an open mindset will realize the largest benefits and gain a massive advantage over competitors.
Be Honest About Your Strengths and Weaknesses
You may THINK that you are an advocate for adapting and utilizing the latest technology in your business, but if you want to succeed, you need to be honest with yourself right now. Are you an IT or electronics expert? If not, when was the last time you consulted with a team that specializes specifically in business technology or information systems?
Every business has strengths and weaknesses (if you haven’t identified your core advantages and disadvantages you should find help performing a SWOT analysis in the immediate future). To take your business to the next level, you need to double down on your strengths and partner with those who are experts in the areas that you lack. Technology is not going away with advances in cloud computing, AI, robotic automation and blockchain all on the horizon.
Is your organization getting the most of your devices and technology? Do you have a dedicated IT team that giving your company a competitive advantage? Are your IT employees educated on the latest processes and trends?
If you feel that your company is falling behind on the technology front, you need to make a major investment and hire a full IT department full of leading edge experts, or partner with a company like TOPS that offers ongoing IT training and support.
Break Through the IT Paradigm
Whether you decide to partner with TOPS or hire your own IT experts, you need your technology team to be a leader in your organization when it comes to pushing the capabilities and efficiency of technology. In order to see new levels of productivity and to maintain your position as a technology leader, the old paradigms of business technology must be shattered and surpassed. An intelligent and enabled IT team can help a business break the old mold which has been holding your team back from innovation. This will allow your entire organization to adapt and benefit from a adaptive, technological mindset.
User Experience in Your Office
User experience, or UX, is a way to group an end-users feelings, thoughts, and emotions when they use a product or a service. If an employee “uses” an item, it has a UX. Now some products have much higher rated user experiences than others; for example, many consumers prefer utilizing an iPhone over android. Why? There are likely several contributing factors, but one of the major contributors seems to be ease of use. Many individuals find using an iPhone easier, explaining their experience as being more streamlined, potentially because there is less customization options.
The goal of your organization should be to increase the UX of your IT systems, making it easier for your employees to utilize the devices you have invested thousands of dollars into. When a piece of technology becomes intuitive and simple to use, tasks will be completed more efficiently and in less time. How can you increase the UX of your tech? There are many ways but you might want to start with your software and internet connection. There is nothing more detrimental to efficiency and productivity than a slow network or internet connection and using old software is often confusing and uninspiring.
It may seem daunting at first as you try to figure out how you might overhaul the way your company utilizes technology and shares information. Luckily, you have the option to consult with a team of experts such as TOPS. We service the entire Thompson Okanagan area and help businesses of every size stay ahead of their competitors with the latest technology and tools.
