5 Ways to Get Employees to Embrace New Technology in the Workplace

Posted by Robyn Merkel on Mar 29, 2019 10:50:06 AM

Technology is constantly evolving and the adoption of new business tools, such as audio visual (AV) solutions, is essential for the growth of your business. However, every piece of technology implemented by your business relies heavily on its successful adoption by employees.

Great progress often comes with great resistance. New technologies can save your business time, cut costs, improve collaboration and boost profits - but only if your employees actually use them.

Convincing your employees to embrace these new technologies and unlock their true benefits is the key to the continued success of your business. Genesis Integration has listed five ways you can encourage your employees to get on board:

1 - Allow employees to have an input into the solution

Before you begin to implement new technology into your company, it’s essential you start warming your employees to the idea by allowing them to have an input into the solution you choose. Employees will be far more likely to embrace technology if they have a voice in its selection.

The easiest way to do this is to give staff members an opportunity to test out the product through demos and ask potential suppliers questions. If you want to go one step further, you could let your employees do the initial research and create a shortlist of potential technology options.

Allowing employees to have an input into the final solution will introduce your employees to the value and benefits of implementing a particular new technology. By involving the team in your final decision, it’s likely your whole organization will champion the technology for you.

2 - Organize small group training sessions

Many organizations implement a technology solution, and then simply expect their employees to pick up exactly how it works. Whether your company’s new technology is easy-to-use or complex, your employees still need to be trained on how to use it effectively.

To do this, most companies would host an organization-wide presentation where they explain the different functions of the technology and give a broad explanation about how it works. It may seem more efficient to train all your staff at once, but it often has the opposite effect.

Small group training sessions will provide a more intimate setting that allows your employees to feel more relaxed and at-ease asking questions. You’ll be able to explain how the technology works on a greater level and provide personal help to each staff member.

3 - Give employees time to adapt

No matter how well you train your employees, there’s no getting around the fact that they will still need time to adapt to the way the technology works and learn how they can optimize its performance.

If your business has a peak season, make sure you give your employees plenty of time to adapt before this begins. This will give them time to learn how to use the new technology and it will also reduce some pressure from your business if there are any delays or push backs from the implementation of the new technology.

4 - Reward staff members and departments for using new technology

Employees want to work for a business that is fun, has a great company culture and rewards them for their hard work. It’s important that you support and reward your staff for their efforts with the new technology - not punish them.

One way to reward your staff for the adoption of new technology is to host team or department-wide contests. Each employee in the team that wins - whether it be judged by the fastest transition, highest reduction in error rates, greatest cost savings or most time saved - can be given a reward such as a gift card or a Friday afternoon off work.

5 - Choose technology that works with your existing processes

The best way to minimize disruption for your business is to choose a technology solution that implements seamlessly into your company’s existing processes. Employees will be far more likely to adopt a new technology if it doesn’t drastically change the way they currently do their work.

If you want to learn more about improving technology adoption rates within your company, or you simply want to learn more about our host of audio visual solutions, contact the Genesis Integration team of experts today.

REQUEST A CONSULTATION

Tags: Audio Visual

icon_blog

Stay Up-To-Date