How to Succeed With Technology in the Workplace

Practically every workplace benefits from some type of technology, but new advancements particularly get the chance to shine in office settings where efficiency is everything. Introducing new technology to your team is the easy part, and the odds are excellent that the inclusion of smartphones, tablets, and newer, faster computers will thrill your employees. The key, however, is to make sure you have safeguards in place so that the adoption of new tech will be not only seamless but also secure.

Embrace Innovations

Innovation is nothing to fear. New types of technology are sometimes intimidating, but once you learn more about them, the mystery disappears. If there’s a new program, gadget, or piece of hardware that can improve workflow, productivity, or output in your office, why not give it a try? You’re under no obligation to introduce anything new until you’ve researched it and tested it, but you have to remain open to the idea. Find out what the cloud’s all about; maybe it’s the safest, most logical place to keep your data. You might even think about introducing a BYOD (bring your own device) policy.

Give Your Employees Advance Notice

Image via Flickr by Brentano fabrics

This is a small act, but it matters. Whether you call a meeting and go over all the details or just make a little announcement, let your employees know that changes are on the way. Be as transparent as possible regarding what new technologies you’re introducing and how you expect them to help with goals, productivity, or other day-to-day tasks.

Put Security Measures in Place

With new technology, there’s always the danger of a breach. That’s bad news all the way around, but especially if you deal with personal, private, or financial information. Fortunately, this is one problem that you can quickly head off at the pass. It’s also why research is necessary. Discover how to protect your router and your office network.

Instead of adopting a BYOD policy, consider giving your employees a company phone. After all, if you give every employee a Galaxy S7 Edge, you have control over both the network and the phone, which you can pre-load with the apps and programs you want your workers to use. Plus, when the phones are on a reliable network like T-Mobile, you know your employees can be productive and secure wherever they go. This method also allows you to track user activity, allowing you to ensure that your employees aren’t wasting time or sharing information they shouldn’t.

Choose the Right Technology

In selecting routers, smartphones, modems, and other tech items, always make sure you choose what’s right for your office. Consider data plans, processor speed, connection speed, and compatibility. For example, you don’t want to spend thousands of dollars on new Bluetooth printers only to find that none of the computers in the office will sync with it. That’s a waste of time, and it costs you extra money because, naturally, you’ll then have to update the PCs your employees use.

Offer Plenty of Training

Image via Flickr by AFGE

To successfully adopt new technology, your employees must know how to use it. You don’t want them to discover new things on their own — that can take forever and turn your fresh tech offerings into time suckers. Show them how to use their company phones, their office tablets, and new software applications.

Don’t skimp on training, either. Set aside an appropriate amount of time and, if you need to, bring in some experts to explain things to your employees and colleagues. You might even need some help yourself. Remember, everyone learns at their own pace, in their own way, so allow extra time for the employees who need it.

Set Clear Goals

Let the office know what your expectations are from the outset. What do you expect this technology to do? What do you expect from them as they use it? Using smartphones, for instance, can create a better work/life balance, but explain to everyone that the trade-off involves answering emails and messages promptly or being productive during work-from-home days.

The right technology can make your office run faster and smoother, not to mention that it has the potential to improve productivity, efficiency, and profits. As long as you exercise safety measures and keep your employees in the loop, the introduction and adoption of effective technology will only benefit your office.