Here's how you can effectively manage and leverage technology in your business operations.

It’s important to not only assess business needs but ensure there is comparative analysis of what needs are best met via technology vs. humans. Too often we assume technology is the most effective solution, however, there are many aspects of end to end processes where technology does not offer superior solutions. This can lead to investment in technology in addition to integration and facilitation headcount. Side by side analysis of investment and process flow is key here!

As Bill Gates famously said, technology applied to an efficient process will enhance the model and make it better. Technology applied to an inefficient process will simply magnify the challenges and make it worse. When you assess your business needs, ensure that the tech is merely a lever to help your team do their best work instead of a magic solution to solve all problems. In other words, ensure your overall operation is sound so that the adopted technology helps enhance your business and not detract.

In my experience as a turnaround top executive, I have always made a point of listening carefully to as many employees and managers as possible to find out what they think of the organization, how they do their jobs, what's going well and what's not, what could or should be done differently to improve performance, and what resources or support they need to do their job well. In this way I have learned what the processes are within the organization, while consuming all the ideas of every employee for performance improvement and new opportunities. Employees are your smartest resource. Start with them. They will lead the way to improved operations, tech-driven solutions, and new opportunities every time.

Technology must support people. Not the other way around. People and technology must contribute to the success of the company. Do a reality check when you do your strategy. Sometimes, technology and strategy have their own dynamics that can result in projects that are done for the sake of the project (and sight is lost for people and contribution to business success).

First and very important, to be effective, it should be determined that technology will align with business goals and enhance overall efficiency. Also, automating repetitive tasks using tools like workflow management software, and streamlining processes to reduce errors, and improve productivity should be implemented as soon as resources permit. Additionally, collecting and analyzing consumer data to gain actionable insights to make informed decisions is crucial for avoiding costly disruptions during implementation.

What I found helpful is to effectively manage and leverage technology in our business, my team and I start by setting clear goals and understanding how technology can help us achieve them. We invest in the right tools that match our needs and budget. We ensure our team is well-trained to use these tools efficiently. Regularly, we review and update our technology to keep up with industry trends. We use data analytics to make informed decisions and improve operations. We also prioritize robust cybersecurity measures to protect our data. Lastly, we foster a culture of innovation where employees are encouraged to suggest and implement tech-driven solutions. This strategic approach boosts our efficiency and drives growth.

It is really important to get team buy in on your proposed solution. In general, there is very little difference between technology solutions in most applications. The big difference is how accepted the solution is by the users. You need to get buy in from the key influencers- if you don’t get that, you should reconsider unless they are the outliers and everyone else agrees with your approach.

When integrating new technologies, particularly those involving artificial intelligence, you want to begin with smaller-scale, internal-only applications whenever possible. This provides an environment where broader teams and stakeholders have some space to adapt to the new tech tools, ask questions, and benefit from trial and error which will inevitably occur with any new rollout. Once its internal applications have been comfortably learned and integrated, you can begin the public-facing rollout. This internal-first approach offers a better and more focused integration process, as well as a lower overall risk to the organization and its public reputation when the inevitable speedbumps occur.

Mi experiencia me ha demostrado que efectivamente invertir de manera eficiente en las tecnologías adecuadas es relevante. Sin embargo lo anterior, las inversiones antes de efectuarse deben ser muy analizadas, investigadas, probadas y concientes de que se espera de ellas. Muchas organizaciones realizan inversiones en tecnología sin tener absolutamente claro que se espera de aquellas inversiones, debemos recordar que las tecnologías por si mismas no aportan valor alguno, son las interecciones de los talentos y profesionales experimentados los que las convierten en inversiones con retornos. Nada en las tecnologías es mágico, pero implementarlas bajo una planificación y definición clara de que se espera y para que las necesitamos es Clave!

Implementing new technology just for the sake of "modernisation right now" needs to be avoided. The investment needs to be justified, not only operationally and financially but also to the opportunity cost of implementation now rather than waiting until the new technology is substantially matured and reliable. In a sense not blowing your gunpowder until the right time.

Great to see this as one of the steps - I would expand and say that for larger companies, a validated financial business case is critical for longer transformation journeys. The sponsors of your program may change, and business priorities as well - if you don't have an accepted business case when a program rationalization comes around your program may be postponed or cut. Having a proven business case, kept one of my supply chain planning transformations on track while an ERP transformation was drastically slowed.

Invertir en tecnología con una visión estratégica es crucial hoy en día. Evaluar el ROI y centrarse en soluciones que aporten beneficios tangibles permite una inversión más efectiva y sostenible. Priorizar las inversiones que ofrecen los beneficios más significativos para sus operaciones y evitar el atractivo de los dispositivos de moda que no tienen un propósito práctico en su negocio, protege los recursos y optimiza el valor obtenido. Desde mi experiencia, he visto cómo un enfoque bien fundamentado en las inversiones tecnológicas puede transformar las operaciones y llevar a un crecimiento significativo. Es clave invertir sabiamente!

I am a firm believer that if you don't train people how to utilize the tools it will go unused and be a wasted investment. Take the time to give out proper training along with useful tips and quick videos to help navigate through new technology or advanced skills in your company and or department.

A lot of Managers do not understand the leverage of investing in employees have. The time and costs its saving is only one pragmatic effect. It is also loyalty your will be getting back.

Pour former efficacement mon équipe, j'investis du temps dans des programmes de formation sur les nouveaux outils technologiques. Par exemple, j'ai organisé des sessions de formation pour intégrer un logiciel de gestion de projet, ce qui a considérablement amélioré notre productivité. Cette démarche non seulement renforce les compétences de mes employés, mais favorise aussi une culture d'apprentissage continu, essentielle dans un paysage technologique en constante évolution.

Training isn't just about advancing skill sets. Think of it as a chance to show your team that you value them. You're investing in them because you believe in them and their future. Training is critical to their career path, to their growth in the company. Train them as a team. Use every opportunity to gather the team, build a sense of unity. Make it fun. They'll eagerly await the next one.

Training is a necessary evil . It sounds banal and is actually quite boring - the word training . But this is what keeps you ahead of others , gets you upto to speed in both business n technology. Calendar- budgets - competent trainers database . Ergo..

Adopting new technologies is a great initiative and become major need nowadays to be part of the fast growing business world After implementing the new technology we need to have great focus on monitoring and analyzing the progress of the adaptation of technology direct and indirect and also to measure how it is reflecting on team performance and business growth so we can decide the next steps either developing further or discarding the further spent on such technology The big mistake is to follow trends without complete study and measurement of success as this ends in spending a lot in a beneficial element and forgetting the more important elements for developing our team performance and our business needs

I wrote two books on KPIs and love the concept and have implemented it in over ten companies. It works. Watch out for leading and lagging indicators, measurable and non-financial indicators. Be aware of not displaying only measures you know but those that you are yet to discover. Measurement is about direction not metrics.

1) Identify or choose KPI and measure the progress. 2) Recognize teams who completed and celebrate success 3) Focus on leading indicator 4) Address concerns and provide opportunity to do Q&A. 5) Communicate, communicate, communicate.

1-New Sales and Marketing Channels:digital platforms provide new ways to reach customers, market products and services, and complete transactions. 2-Innovative Services:digital technology enables the development of new products and services that were not previously possible, such as subscription-based services, sharing economy platforms, and Internet of Things (IoT) solutions. 3-Process:digital tools can automate and streamline business processes, freeing up time and resources for more strategic activities. 4-Data Analytics:digital technology generates vast amounts of data that can be analyzed to gain valuable insights into customers, market trends, and growth opportunities.

Manténgase flexible y listo para adaptarse a los nuevos avances tecnológicos. El mundo digital es dinámico, con innovaciones constantes que pueden ofrecer nuevas oportunidades para su negocio. Manténgase al tanto de las tendencias de la industria y esté dispuesto a reevaluar y actualizar su estrategia tecnológica regularmente. Este enfoque proactivo garantiza que su empresa permanezca a la vanguardia, aprovechando la tecnología para un crecimiento y éxito sostenidos.

Pour m'adapter en permanence aux avancées technologiques, je reste flexible et attentif aux nouvelles tendances. Par exemple, j'ai récemment intégré des outils d'intelligence artificielle pour optimiser notre analyse de données. Je réévalue régulièrement notre stratégie technologique pour m'assurer que nous tirons parti des innovations. Cette approche proactive permet à mon entreprise de rester à la pointe et de garantir une croissance durable.

Yes, you need to adapt - but that's easier if you focus and anticipate. Focus on the technology that's changing your world, not the whole world. Anticipate the changes you will need to make by watching the tech leaders (you probably don't need to be one - but you should certainly learn from them). You can't keep up with all of it, so prioritize what gives you competitive advantage.

This is the easiest to think, but be careful to jump on it. Operations are built upon processes, formal or otherwise. Efficiency lies in the processes to begin with and the enhanced revised processes to be presented for use of technology aka automation. Sometimes the processes as is are good enough, but to make them fit for using technology they need to be refined and revised. Once my automation instructor said " If you automate a bad process, you get bad results much faster and cannot control them then." Use of technology will begin with use of computer if not done already, and within the computer begin with excel, office systems like share point, cloud storage, and depending upon need ultimate use of an ERP system as needed.

SUCCESS STRATEGY is to follow the below MANTRA: T: Technology Integration Implement advanced software solutions for automation, data analytics, and CRM to streamline processes, enhance productivity, and enable data-driven decisions. E: Efficiency Optimization Leverage AI and machine learning to identify inefficiencies, optimize workflows, and reduce operational costs, ensuring resources are utilized effectively. C: Communication Enhancement Adopt unified communication platforms to facilitate seamless collaboration, improve information flow, and enhance team coordination. H: Human Capital Development Invest in training programs and digital tools to upskill employees, fostering innovation and adaptability to technological advancements.

Effectively managing and leveraging technology in business operations requires a robust IT infrastructure, reliable hardware and software, and strong cybersecurity measures. Regular updates and maintenance prevent obsolescence. Foster continuous learning and innovation by training employees on technological advancements. Utilise data analytics for informed decision-making and integrate automation to enhance efficiency. Embrace cloud solutions for scalability and flexibility. Collaborate with tech partners and consultants to stay ahead of trends and implement best practices. Regularly review and adjust your tech strategy to align with business goals and market dynamics, driving growth, enhancing productivity, and maintaining an edge.

Data, implementation timeline, cost, process improvements, change management, standardization, optimization, maximization, measured deliverables, and ongoing support are all areas that are typically underestimated when embarking on the journey because of the excitement of the potential to realize a digital transformation vision. If I can choose one, the most critical element is the data. Most companies embracing new technology will be long-established and able to fund and deploy. The challenge is the need to pull together legacy systems and harmonize often bad and disparate data into a single source of truth.

For an online retailer: these extra areas of focus will help businesses grow efficiently. Customer Relationship Management (CRM) Software: Manage customer interactions, personalize marketing, and enhance service. E-commerce Platforms and Integrations: Use platforms like Shopify or Magento with payment gateways and shipping solutions to streamline operations. Data Analytics Tools: Gather and analyze data for insights into sales trends and customer behavior.