Are Your Digital Technologies Working for or Against You?

Last Updated: 

December 21, 2023

A lot of people underestimate the power of digital technologies. They’ve single-handedly transformed the way that we do business in the world, and their power can be scaled to immense proportions, capable of supporting massive teams and dealing with the most complicated tasks we can throw at it.

However, there will come a point where our digital technologies could be working against us. This typically happens when a technology solution, such as a software package, has a feature set that surpasses our understanding. In times like this, we might fail to understand how to use something correctly, thus it becomes more of a detriment to our business than something advantageous. In times like this, it’s vital that you take a good look at the way your business operates so you can figure out if digital technologies are working for or against you. At this point, you may also wish to invest in something like Hummingbird Networks smart hands services or similar in your area, for some valuable on-site IT support from certified professionals.

Key Takeaways on Digital Technologies and How They're Working For You:

  • Power of Digital Technologies: Digital technologies have greatly impacted how we do business, supporting large teams and handling complex tasks. However, it's also possible for digital technologies to hinder business processes, especially when the technology's features surpass our understanding. In such instances, businesses need to re-evaluate their use of digital technologies.
  • Staff Education: When a new technology is introduced into a business, it's crucial to train staff on how to use it. Managed IT services can be helpful in this regard, providing necessary training, including cybersecurity measures. When staff members don't fully understand how to use certain technologies, business operations can be slowed down.
  • Industry Standard Solutions: Many business owners might focus too much on "industry standard" solutions—tools commonly used in the industry. While it's true that many large companies use these tools, it's essential for businesses to select solutions that fit their specific needs, rather than blindly following industry standards.
  • Constant Technology Upgrades: Regularly replacing technology and introducing new systems can cause confusion and disrupt business operations. It's recommended that businesses and their staff master the tools they currently have before considering new ones. Changing systems should be based on identified inefficiencies. If a business is running efficiently, there's no need to reinvent its processes unnecessarily.
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Are your staff educated in the use of your technologies?

Simply dropping a new type of technology into your business isn’t going to work–your staff need to be trained to use it first. This is where a managed IT service can come in handy to educate your staff on how to use something new, or even teach them about cybersecurity so they can do their part in protecting your business.

In the section discussing the education of staff in the use of new technologies, it's important to highlight the role of professional support. A managed IT services provider can be invaluable in training your team on new technologies and cybersecurity practices. They offer expert guidance and support, ensuring your staff are well-equipped to utilize digital tools effectively and contribute to the overall security of your business. This kind of partnership can significantly enhance the efficiency and safety of your technology infrastructure.

You can click here to find out more about how managed IT services can help your business. In short, if your staff are completely lost or don’t really understand how to use certain types of technology that your business is using, then it will slow down your company and make it more difficult to operate.

Are you getting too caught up in “industry standard” solutions?

“Industry standard” is a term that many people use to describe tools that are commonly used in the industry. For example, calling Windows an industry-standard operating system would be correct since many computers and servers run it. However, this is a term that can be detrimental to your business. Many business owners get caught up with the idea of using industry-standard solutions. They focus too heavily on using what larger businesses use but fail to understand that those companies require those solutions based on their current needs. Instead of looking at industry-standard solutions, you should be looking for solutions that fit your business’s personal needs.

Are you overwhelming your company with new technologies?

Constantly swapping things out and dropping in new replacements will only make things more difficult in the future. If you want to run a successful company, then you and your staff need to master the tools you have available. Ignore the possibility of a better tool existing and focus on what you currently have. This will save you money in the long run and it will help you and your employees master the way you currently work. Once you’ve identified an inefficiency, you should attempt to tackle it to help your business run more smoothly. However, if you don’t find any inefficiencies and your business is running perfectly fun, it’s pointless to try and reinvent the way you do business.

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