Ready for Launch: How to Roll Out New Technology in Your Firm
It’s remarkable to think about how far technology has come in the last 50 years. With advancements ranging from rocket ships to iPods, technology has shaped the world for the better. While it takes effort to keep up with the latest tech, businesses stand to gain a lot by having the insight to implement new tech at the right time. Technology makes operations more efficient, enhances security, and saves you time on monotonous tasks. In some cases, it even sets industry standards and changes the world.
For example, Steve Jobs used innovative product designs to differentiate Apple from the competition. His designs ended up being so powerful that competitors started copying them, which led to many of them becoming archetypes in the industry. Apple’s a prime example of a company using technology to create buzz and position itself for growth. Artificial intelligence, document automation, and cloud security present similar opportunities at present.
If you’ve recognized the need to implement new technology in your firm, make sure you choose the right tool and develop a solid rollout strategy. While many of your staff members will agree with your decision, some of them will have a hard time adopting the new tech. Here are some ways you can support your staff and help your firm start out on the right foot:
1. Understand and acknowledge where your staff is coming from.
Not all your employees will fall into the innovator and early adopter categories. Some of them will be skeptical of the tech’s projected impact or be unwilling to learn how to use it. Address these concerns by presenting data about how the tech’s helped other firms and providing support every step of the way. To do this, of course, you’ll have had to conduct thorough research on the tool you want to implement, know the problem(s) it’ll solve, and get buy-in from decision-makers.
2. Communicate with your staff.
Announce the new tech and rollout schedule in your next staff meeting. Walk your employees through the need for the change and give an overview of the product, including what it does, how it works, and who will be impacted. Discussing these things will warm them up to it and will increase the adoption rate.
3. Choose someone to champion the tool.
Empower one of your most organized employees to “own” the new tool. This person will act as a resource for your staff during the onboarding and training processes and be the liaison between your firm and the tech’s representative.
4. Execute your rollout plan.
Once you’ve introduced the tech and enabled your staff to use it, mandate firmwide trainings. Make sure you explain the tech’s best features and create a public channel for FAQ’s. Accommodate different learning styles – including visual, auditory, kinesthetic, and reading/writing – in your methods to maximize retention and the value of your trainings.
5. Track your progress.
Investing so much time, energy, and money in your new tool isn’t worth anything if you don’t measure the impact it has on your firm. Set goals for what you hope to accomplish with it based on industry benchmarks, take note of improvements, and adjust the goals periodically.
Implementing new technology in your firm takes a lot of work, but it pays off if it revamps your processes, enhances your client relationships, or increases productivity. With a carefully crafted rollout strategy, the right solution will make a noticeable difference in your firm’s performance and provide quick ROI.