With the onset of technology in every field and industry, the corporate world is rapidly changing. More and more organisations are welcoming digital and other tech-based transformations to improve overall efficiency and productivity and build a competitive brand in the market. This change was inevitable, and it was about time the corporate world embraced and committed to technology for daily operations. However, are the employees ready to adopt the new technology in the workplace? Maybe not.
Employees’ resistance to new technology in the workplace is fathomable since they are accustomed to working on traditional systems. Some may struggle to accept the changes, and some may resist them. There’s a fair chance some might even feel overwhelmed or underappreciated. Lack of confidence or communication from the leaders can be the reasons too, which could lead to the most advanced technology failing miserably in the workplace.
So before launching a new technology in the workplace, it’s necessary to loop in your employees at every stage of initiation. Also, training and keeping them informed about why the change is imperative and how it will benefit them is essential. If the employees adopt these changes and thrive, the organisation will thrive too, thus being a win-win.
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Here are seven strategies that can be implemented to help employees and organisations benefit from the new technology in the workplace:
1. Conduct research before buying the tool: Before introducing a new technology in the workplace, conduct research to learn if your employees need the tool or how it can help them get their job done more efficiently than at present. Here’s how you can go about it:
- First, you need to figure out the problem you need to solve and then conduct research with the help of tech experts to figure out if the tool can help solve the problem effectively.
- Keep the approach open for discussion and feedback so that if anyone has an opinion about the tool, they can approach the panel with the same. Get in touch with the team leaders and reach out to the employees via surveys to learn their opinions.
- Skim through feedback about the tool before purchasing. Ideally, it should be user-friendly to make the training and implementation process less demanding.
2. Take trial sessions: Most tools today offer free trial sessions, which is a great way to test and get knowledge before implementing the technology in the workplace. The leverage of knowing the tool before everyone else can help identify the pros and cons and keep you prepared for all the questions raised while pitching the new technology and during the training sessions. Even better, do it with a group of people you can trust for constructive feedback.
3. Foster learning and maintain transparency: Initiate conversations about upskilling amongst the employees through their team leaders. Before introducing new technology in the workplace, make them realise the existing gaps and issues in the system and how learning the new tool can help them personally and professionally. Communicate the tool’s advantages and maintain transparency by establishing an open feedback forum. This will keep your employees in the loop, and they can raise questions whenever need be, thus making them feel a part of the process.
4. Talk about personal growth: Every employee seeks ‘what’s in it for me’ before jumping into a new challenge. So besides explaining how the tool will benefit them and the organisation, let them know why it’s essential for them to learn for personal-professional growth. Subtly point out benefits they’ll be missing out and how this tool will change how they work for good.
5. Plan out the training sessions: The organisation plans to introduce something that the employees have probably never seen or heard of. Therefore, having a constructive strategy in place is necessary for training sessions. Also, making the new tool a part of the daily operations should be the ultimate goal which begins with training. Here are some aspects that you can explore:
- Divide the training sessions over some time and make them fun.
- Adopt a training, learning, and implementing model, so your employees get theoretical and practical experience at the same time.
- Hire volunteers who employees can reach out to regarding the tools.
- Give them the freedom to learn when and how they want in their time by creating a platform that includes the training materials, tools, and even quick tests to keep it fun and interactive.
- Recognise the efforts of those who complete the training sessions to motivate others. You can also offer incentives or surprise bonuses.
6. Celebrate their efforts: Once the training goals and strategies are met, celebrate their efforts. The fact that your employees, despite not being tech-savvy, have pooled in their time and efforts to upskill their talent is a massive win for the organisation and deserves a celebration. Also, this will make the employees feel that their work is appreciated and that the company cares about their growth in the company.
7. Monitor progress and encourage re-skilling: Let the learning period continue even after the goals are achieved. Monitor your employees’ progress through questionnaires and recommend re-skilling, if need be, to achieve 100% efficiency throughout the organisation.
Introducing new technology in the workplace may not be as challenging as it seems if the HR leaders decide to involve employees in the whole process. Yes, there will be resistance at first, which is natural, but maintaining transparency, encouraging open dialogue, and normalising ‘learning new things’ will motivate them to step into this tech-driven zone with the organisation.
Also, companies with an employee-centric outlook will have the upper hand in getting their employees to learn new technology in the workplace than otherwise. And with technology being the future of the corporate world, HR leaders must start involving their employees in every change they initiate to build an efficient, productive, and tech-driven workplace.
References:
- 8 Strategies To Help Employees Adapt to New Technology in the Workplace | toolbox | Grace Lau | April 18, 2022
- 8 step strategy to help employees adopt new technology | Team Go | April 1, 2019
- 13 Practical Ways To Help Employees Adapt To New Technology | Forbes | February 22, 2021
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