How Can Businesses Increase Employee Adoption of Technology?

In an interview with Datatechvibe, Edosa Odaro discusses his experience working for over 20 international organisations, how the landscape of diversity has changed within companies in recent years, and why he deems it to be important to offer mentoring to students who are about to begin their professional journey.?

Odaro offers advice on how leaders can close the service gaps between insurance and the rest of financial services to the considerations business leaders need to consider when pursuing insurance for business solutions utilising AI.?

Excerpts from the interview;

What metrics do businesses need to track to show the success of tech investments?

Understanding the value of tech investments is not merely a fleeting trend but a crucial amalgamation of past lessons and future aspirations. It's essential to acknowledge that historically, fewer than 20% of tech investments have yielded positive results, particularly in data and AI. Therefore, accurately measuring success in today's landscape dominated by ESG, GenAI, and ChatGPT is paramount, where apprehension and enthusiasm are inextricably intertwined.

To navigate this intricate terrain successfully, businesses must anchor their strategies on three foundational pillars:

Vision: Beyond broad aspirations, it's about pinpointing the "What." What challenges do we need to conquer? What innovations will elevate us? Clarity takes precedence over generality in defining the vision.

Obstacles: The "How" is pivotal. Identifying and surmounting barriers serve as the bridge between the vision and its realisation. This phase, often underestimated, is where dreams can easily derail, and tech investments frequently veer off course.

Value: The "Why" might sound cliché, but it's the heartbeat of every investment. Quantifying, delivering, and continually monitoring value creation is crucial—a frequently overlooked triad that should never be underestimated.

Collectively, these three components constitute the VoV model, a guiding principle outlined in my latest book, Value-Driven Data, illuminating the path to accelerated data value creation. Remember, Vision, Obstacles, and Value—the VoV—is the key to unlocking the value vault of your vision.

How can teams align people and processes to maximise tech investments?

At a recent AI symposium, amidst palpable apprehension, I emphasised a fundamental truth: AI is a creation of human ingenuity and is designed to serve us. Consequently, the key to maximising the impact of technological investments doesn't solely revolve around algorithms; it's intricately linked to the collaborative prowess of exceptional teams.

In my book, Making Data Work, I unveil the blueprint for harnessing this talent. The formula can be succinctly summarised through what I call the 3 R's:

Reset: Begin by painting a vivid picture of the ever-evolving tech landscape. Essentially, this means clearing the deck before setting sail into the realm of technology.

Reverse: Embrace realism as your guiding principle. Understand what needs to be initiated and what should be halted to adapt to changing circumstances. This involves meticulously evaluating what to kickstart and what to put on hold.

Reward: Cultivate a culture where the right behaviours are incentivised while discouraging the wrong ones. In essence, you want to acknowledge and reward forward-thinking actions and, conversely, discourage regressive ones.

This triad forms the foundation, but there's more. It can be further enriched by the 44-step strategy outlined in Value Driven Data. The significance here doesn't just lie in the steps themselves and the substantial leaps and bounds they promise to deliver in your tech investments.

How can businesses increase employee adoption of technology?

To fully harness the potential of technology, achieving widespread employee adoption is not merely a given; it's a mission. While the path to adoption is multifaceted, here are some guiding principles to set you on the right course:

Capture everything: Document aligned aspirations and address any misaligned notions. Gather feedback from the initial stages to the final implementation. Remember, capturing is akin to enrapturing.

Measure everything: If you can't measure it, you can't effectively manage it. Measurement is the key to unlocking hidden treasures within your tech initiatives.

Challenge everything: Don't just passively observe obstacles; be proactive. Expect roadblocks, but aim to identify and address them before they escalate into major issues.

Test everything: View failures as stepping stones to success. Make testing a routine part of your operations to ensure you're always prepared and adaptable.

Monitor everything: Out of sight could mean a future plight. Vigilantly monitor your data, AI, and technology initiatives. This proactive approach lets you spot and resolve issues promptly and seize emerging opportunities.

However, it's essential to acknowledge that technology is a complex and critical pursuit. In addition to the knowledge gained from conferences and interviews, I highly recommend the following:

Consult reputable resources: Obtain books or similar resources from respected authors, such as my publications or visit my website (www.edosaodaro.com) to gain valuable insights.

Engage with experts: Seek the guidance of experienced Data Value Experts or advisors who can support maximising the value of your data, AI, and technology investments.

Establish a data value advisory board: Consider forming a strategic advisory board focused on data, AI, and technology. Such a board can provide invaluable insights and assistance in navigating the intricacies of these domains.

Remember, "Tech's tide is a ride, not just a stride." Investing in data, AI, and technology is an ongoing journey, not a one-time destination. I trust you'll find this information beneficial and that it resonates with your pursuit of technological excellence.

Edosa Odaro, Author of?Value Driven Data and Making Data Work, will be part of the panel discussion CDOs as Change Agents: Driving Organisational Transformation through Data and Analytics at Velocity – Data and Analytics Summit, Saudi Arabia.