The 4 P’s to managing technology changes

The 4 P’s to managing technology changes

Technology change can be major for any business. It can open up a lot of new doors that keep your business powering forward, transforming the way your business operates, keeping you ahead. At the same time, it can offer a challenge for a business. Having to adapt to a new way of doing things, having to experiment with new processes and platforms, and having to invest in training.

Because of these challenges, and the inevitability of technology change, it is important to learn how to manage technology changes and implement them in the best way for your business. To help with this we have the 4 P’s to managing technology changes.

Product

The first P to approach is product. It answers the “why” and “what” of the technology change. Why do you want to change? If it’s to improve efficiencies and reduce the time your team spends on tasks, then what are they going to do with that extra time? Finding what you want to achieve with the technology change will transform the direction you take with it, the amount you value it, and ultimately the impact on your business.

So, think about what you want to do with the change. Do you want to offer a new product or service? Or are you looking to enhance an existing one? Answering these questions will then determine how the rest of the rollout goes, including the platform you choose.   

Platform

Once you know what your product is you can find a platform that is going to enhance, implement, or deliver that product. There are a lot of different platforms out there that you can choose depending on your business, and your goals. A great place to start is seeing what integrates well with your existing platforms. For example, Xero has a lot of plugins and integrations which allow different parts of your business to draw from and share data with Xero to improve its own functionality.

Zapier is also a powerful platform. This acts as a hub for all your applications, allowing them to talk to each other and automate tasks. It is a very powerful tool that businesses should be using. If an application you are looking at doesn’t integrate with Zapier then it may be outdated or difficult to work with, so you may want to consider something else.

People

Change can bring out the best and worst in people. So, it is important to manage this. Often it can bring fear which becomes anger or negative energy, which ultimately can make the transformation more difficult than necessary. Generally, with exposure to the platform and training, this negative energy will subside.

Start by recognising who will use the platform and who will be delivering the product. They may be yourself, and specific members of your team. Be open and transparent with them about the new technologies and why the shift is necessary. You will likely get a few “if it isn’t broken why fix it,” or “We are used to doing it this way” comments. But by being open and transparent, and encouraging your team to discuss the issues they are facing, you can smoothen the process.

Knowing the issues, and having an understanding amongst the team will allow training to be more targeted and productive. It will also influence the processes you make with the new technology.

Process

Now comes the final step. When you have your goal, know your platform, and your team is on board, it is time to develop processes surrounding implementation and ongoing use of the platform. You will need to review the new workflow process with your team. Let them know who will be doing what task, how the platform will be used, and how the new product will be delivered.

It is a great idea during this stage to consider the capabilities of tools like Zapier. There may be far more tasks that can be automated than you think, reducing the length of the process. Once the process has been implemented give it some time then review it. How effective has it been?  

Conclusion

Technology changes can be disruptive, but this isn’t a bad thing. Shaking up the way your business is run or the products you can offer due to streamlined processes enabled by new technologies ensures you stay ahead. By following the 4 P’s you can turn these new technologies into a powerful tool in your business’ arsenal, implementing them more smoothly, and using them better than your competition.

If you want assistance with implanting new technologies into your business, such as Xero, reach out to Link Books.

General advice disclaimer
The information provided on this website is a brief overview and is general in nature. It does not constitute any type of advice. We endeavour to ensure that the information provided is accurate however information may become outdated as legislation, policies, regulations and other considerations constantly change. Individuals must not rely on this information to make a financial, investment or legal decision. Please consult with an appropriate professional before making any decision.

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