How our World has Changed
The current shelf life of our technology is about as long as a tuna sandwich.
Tech disruptions have overturned entire industries. Think of how Uber, Airbnb, and others have changed the way we travel. We are uncouth if we pay at Starbucks with cash; how dare we not use their app?!! There are even more profound reasons to keep up.
Why Keep Up?
Effective leaders recognize that staying current with technology enhances their value to the organization. Leaders who can use software to spot opportunities and mine data make better decisions and garner greater profits. Those who master communication tools, from intranet chat to Customer Relationship Management software, build deeper relationships both inside and outside the organization. Video chat and remote collaboration tools enable further connections. Document-sharing skills are essential as organizations transition away from outdated software.
Your customer wants more technology. They desire a seamless journey where all touchpoints are digitally enabled, integrated, and mobile. Efforts to reach your customers and prospects increasingly depends on technology.
Monitor Tech Trends
Read. Find a blog you like such https://techcrunch.com/. Follow innovators on social media and pick up local and regional business periodicals. Connect with people in similar roles on LinkedIn and look outside your industry for inspiration, especially if yours tends to lag in the tech department.
Attend tech events where new technology is released and demonstrated. That Conference in Wisconsin Dells is a blast, even though much of it is over my head! My family got to meet the robot, Jibo and a year later, we saw him on a TV commercial. (It’s like when that indie band you follow becomes famous, and you listened to them first.)
Learn New Tech
If your organization offers professional development opportunities, seize them! Take a class. Even if you come away with the bare basics, that knowledge may launch you ahead of your competitors. You don’t have to know everything, but you might meet a resource who does! Ask the instructor what she foresees.
Read about Reverse Mentoring in the article, How to Work with Millennials.
