What do you do if your team is resistant to embracing new technology in business communications?

1 Assess the needs and goals of your team

Before introducing any new technology, you need to understand why you need it and how it will help your team achieve their objectives. What are the current challenges or pain points that your team faces in their communication processes? How will the new technology solve them or enhance them? How will it align with your team's values, culture, and expectations? By answering these questions, you can identify the specific benefits and outcomes that the new technology will bring to your team, and use them as a basis for your communication strategy.

2 Involve your team in the decision and implementation process

One of the main reasons why people resist new technology is because they feel excluded or threatened by it. They may perceive it as a top-down imposition that disregards their input or preferences, or as a potential threat to their skills or roles. To avoid this, you need to involve your team in the decision and implementation process as much as possible. Ask for their feedback, suggestions, and concerns about the new technology, and address them openly and respectfully. Show them how the new technology will complement their existing skills and roles, not replace them. Invite them to test, trial, or pilot the new technology, and provide them with adequate training and support. By doing this, you can increase their sense of ownership, engagement, and confidence with the new technology.

3 Demonstrate the value and impact of the new technology

Another reason why people resist new technology is because they doubt its effectiveness or relevance for their work. They may think that the new technology is too complicated, unreliable, or unnecessary, or that it will create more problems than it solves. To overcome this, you need to demonstrate the value and impact of the new technology with clear and concrete evidence. Show them how the new technology will improve their performance, productivity, or satisfaction, using metrics, data, or testimonials. Highlight the positive feedback or results from other teams or customers who have used the new technology. Share success stories or best practices that illustrate how the new technology can help your team achieve their goals or overcome their challenges.

4 Recognize and reward your team for adopting the new technology

Finally, one of the best ways to encourage your team to embrace new technology is to recognize and reward them for their efforts and achievements. People are more likely to adopt new technology if they feel appreciated and motivated by it. Therefore, you need to acknowledge and celebrate your team's progress and accomplishments with the new technology, both individually and collectively. Give them positive feedback, praise, or recognition for using the new technology effectively or creatively. Offer them incentives, rewards, or opportunities for further learning or development with the new technology. By doing this, you can reinforce their behavior and attitude towards the new technology, and foster a culture of innovation and improvement in your team.

5 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?