Take technology seriously

Editor’s Note: Here at Dispatches, we are always looking for ways to help our readers do things. For some of our readers, that means helping navigate the working world, for others, it means assisting in the ever challenging question, “what’s for dinner?” For still others, it means figuring out how to balance family life with everything else. In an effort to aid in all of these endeavors, we have collaborated on this article written specifically for our readers.

Businesses have to take technology seriously. Some main things to consider are:

1. Employ Experts: Too many bosses take on too much power in the workplace. As the top dawg, they think it is down to them to make every decision for the good of the firm. If you’re one of these bosses, you need to think about taking a step back. For one thing, this ideology isn’t good for productivity and employee morale. From a tech perspective, it means the company is bound to choose the wrong software. As a novice, there is no way you know what to implement and what to avoid. Anyone that lacks the knowledge is in the same boat, which is why the decision shouldn’t be in your hands. Instead, it should be in the hands of an expert, someone that understands the industry. With their expertise, the firm can benefit from tech which will maximize its strengths. 
2. Get On The Same Page: Even when you have a team of tech experts on the payroll you may not realize how much they can contribute to business questions. Consider bringing in the tech person to the next decision-making meeting. They may offer a different perspective or solution. Just listening to their opinions on the issues may make a difference. 
3. Analyze The Criteria: Before anyone makes a decision, there are a plethora of criteria which needs evaluating. Some things are as simple as asking is it easy to integrate into the current servers? Some are harder like how do you balance the cost versus the benefits? Regardless of their difficulty, they all need answering before making a final decision. Firms that make mistakes do so because they end up guessing. Without a wealth of data, there is no way to come to an informed decision. There is too many to list in this post, so you will have to do your research. A tip: try to focus on the link between customers and mobile software. 
4. Be Creative: Technology is like a resume in the sense that there is more to it than meets the eye. Sure, the qualifications on the page are essential, but they aren’t everything. Companies also have to consider the abstract features that aren’t on the piece of paper, like their character. Business technology is no different. The obvious will scream out to you, yet it can play with your mind. The secret is to think outside the box for the good of the firm. So, forget about reputation and branding and try and level the playing field. The best way to do that is to ask a simple question: which one benefits the firm and the customers the most? As long as the costs are low and the user experience high, it’s a no-brainer.
5. Tailor Approach: A company has to deploy tech in a variety of different ways to make the workplace more productive. The bad thing about this task is the temptation to slip into one-size fits all policy. In fact, it’s more than a temptation, especially if one technique works the first time. You might look at it as a way to save time and money, but you’d be wrong. Yes, it would be easier to use the same approach for every installation. However, this tactic will bite you on the ass in the future. Technology isn’t flexible, which means it will crash with the slightest push. Therefore, you should work to make sure it has the perfect environment to succeed. Businesses with the best hit rates do this by considering the small variations and their importance.
6. Test Drive: No one should buy a car without testing it beforehand. After all, there is no way to know what is under the hood. Technology is the same. Businesses that fudge their software deployment are the ones that shoot first and ask questions later. The reason this tactic doesn’t work is the risk factor. Without trying the product, how can you know if it is effective? There is no way to understand the inner workings of the software, or whether it merges with your current tech. All you know is that a talented salesperson sold it to you without having to answer any awkward questions. Well, awkward questions are an essential part of the process. Anyway, a ‘test drive’ is free, cost it doesn’t cost the firm.