How to Convince Employees to Adopt New Technology
Staying competitive in today’s economy isn’t easy. Adopting new technology, however, is one way small businesses can drive growth, improve efficiency and set themselves apart from the competition.
However, with new technology there often comes resistance from team members because of fear of the unknown. But the good news is there are strategies small business leaders can use to get team members onboard and encourage the adoption of the new tech.
Strategies for Convincing Employees to Adopt New Technology
1. Ease Your Team into New Tech
Don’t just drop a new tool on your team’s metaphorical desk and expect it to be a success. Instead, take a “crawl, walk, run” approach by starting slow as team members warm up and get comfortable using the new technology. Start with a “crawl” approach by comparing it to systems your team already uses to help make the new concept less foreign to them. It’s also a good idea to bring elements of fun into your new tool by pointing out any fun features that will make the platform more enjoyable and less daunting.
Once your team has a frame of reference for the new tool, you can move on to a “walk” approach. Implement a two-week trial period to see how your team reacts to the new software and see if it's a good fit for your organization. Oftentimes, you don’t know how something will work until your team members actually start using it.
It’s never a good idea to introduce a new tool without prepping it ahead of time. Before introducing it to your team, do everything you can to customize and organize the tool in a way that makes sense for your organization. This could mean integrating the tool into current organizational workflows or creating demos specific to your company and the way your employees work. That way, when they start exploring the tool themselves, it won’t seem so empty and depersonalized.
After you have adapted the tool to your team’s needs and give them a trial period, many employees will be ready to “run” with new tech and fully implement it into their work day.
2. Lead with Empathy
It’s important to always be empathetic to team members’ needs when introducing new software. Some of them may already be overwhelmed with work, and it may be difficult for them to find the mental energy or time in their day to learn a new tool.
Show employees that you’ve carefully considered how the new software will impact their workday. Create materials that outline the benefits of the new tech and how it will positively impact both their everyday lives and the business goals as a whole. Remind employees that new tech is being implemented with the goal of helping to make their working lives more efficient and productive.
3. Accommodate Different Learning Styles
Onboard leaders to the new tech first so they become comfortable using it and can teach the tool to their teams. When you get buy-in from team leaders, it’ll be easier to get buy-in from your remaining employees.
Some of your employees are bound to take to new technology faster than others. Champion those employees who adapt to a new software or tool quickly. Use them as examples, and ask if they would be willing to train or be a resource to others.
Remember that everyone learns differently. Some employees may be independent learners and enjoy exploring the tool independently, but others need a human being to walk them through it. Honor both types of learners by providing self-guided resources and hosting office hours where employees can ask questions and see demos of the new tech.
4. Be Open to Feedback
When you roll out a new tool, team members will likely have plenty to say about it. Keep an open-door policy when it comes to collecting feedback. Encourage team members to share what they like and don’t like about the new software. This feedback will help you understand if the new tool is too overwhelming or if your employees are catching on.
Create an easy platform for employees to share their thoughts. For example, we have a designated feedback channel that makes it simple for people to communicate issues and for us to talk through what’s working and what’s not in real-time.
Importance of Getting Employee Buy-In When Introducing New Tech
Adopting new technology can help your employees work faster and smarter while giving your small business a competitive edge. However, it’s important to remember to honor the needs of your team members when rolling out new tech.
Keep an open mind and always be ready to help navigate your team through tech transitions. When you balance expanding your tech stack while also satisfying your employees, you can steer your business toward a future of success.
FAQs When Introducing New Tech to Your Business
How can you successfully implement new technology in the workplace?
Be thoughtful and plan ahead! Have internal champions who serve as guides and create internal excitement about change. Create resources, offer training, and allow your team to share their feedback as well as showing that you hear them.
How do you overcome employee resistance to new technology?
Make it as easy to use as possible. Integrate the technology in their current streams of work and make the impact something they can immediately identify that's helpful. Inform them of the value of the technology but also allow them to experience that value themselves.
Why do employees often resist new tech?
Change is hard. The prospect of altering work habits may seem overwhelming at first, but by providing straightforward tools and the necessary support, employees are more likely to embrace the change
About the Author
Post by: Rachael Nazzaro
Rachael Nazzaro is a solutions engineer at Slack, where she helps design custom solutions and business impact for mid-market customers. Before becoming a solutions engineer, Rachael was on the customer experience team, helping small businesses understand how to best leverage Slack. She's passionate about learning from her customers and showcasing the potential Slack presents to any line of business, big or small.
Company: Slack
Website: www.slack.com
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