From user-friendly interfaces to ongoing support, learn how to seamlessly integrate tech for productivity options from the data leaders at Velocity – Data and Analytics, Saudi Arabia.
Driven by rapid technological advancements, businesses are continually seeking ways to ensure their employees embrace and utilise new tools effectively. Data leaders emphasise the importance of user-friendly technology and the provision of comprehensive training.
They also highlight the significance of education and change management sharing guiding principles, including capturing feedback and measuring progress. This underlines the need for intuitive interfaces and seamless integrations into existing workflows.
Key takeaways from data experts:
- Focus on user-friendliness and accessibility
- Provide comprehensive training and support
- Demonstrate the value of the technology
- Encourage feedback and make adjustments
Abdullah AlHantoush, the Executive Director of Data Analytics at SABIC
Technology can be a powerful tool for businesses, but it is only effective if employees are willing to use it. Here are some recommendations for businesses on how to increase employee adoption of technology:
Make the technology easy to use: The technology should be intuitive and easy to navigate. Employees should be able to figure out how to use it without much training.
Provide training and support: Even if the technology is easy to use, employees may still need training on how to use it effectively. Businesses should provide training on the new technology to ensure that employees know how to use it and can get the most out of it.
Provide ongoing support: After employees have been trained on the new technology, they may still need support occasionally. Businesses should provide ongoing support to ensure that employees continue to use the technology effectively.
Demonstrate the value of the technology: Businesses should demonstrate the value of the technology by showing how it can help employees be more productive, efficient, and effective in their work.
Make the technology accessible: The technology should be accessible to employees when needed. This may mean making it available on mobile devices or in the cloud.
Encourage feedback: Businesses should encourage employees to provide feedback. This feedback can help businesses improve the technology and make it more user-friendly. Adoption will increase when employees see their feedback was considered and feel they are part of the development team.
Celebrate successes: When employees successfully adopt and use new technology, businesses should celebrate their successes. This will help motivate employees to continue using the technology and see its value.
Ayman Sieny, Senior Vice President of the Enterprise Data Management Department at Riyad Bank
Improving employee technology adoption hinges on two primary factors: education and change management. The first entails educating employees about how technology can enhance their work, contribute value, and the feasibility of its integration. This encompasses reducing cycle times, eliminating redundant tasks, improving accuracy, deriving new insights, enhancing controls, and minimising errors. Effectively showcasing and communicating these benefits to employees is imperative.
The second factor involves assessing and overseeing the changes necessary for successful technology integration. This encompasses understanding how the new technology will interface with or supplant existing systems, gauging its impact on current processes, and determining the required adjustments in roles and skills for effective interaction. Proficient change management significantly smoothes the path to embracing new technologies.
Edosa Odaro, Author, Coach, Advisor at Edosa Odaro Books
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:
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. It 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.
Dr Jassim Haji, President of the Artificial Intelligence Society
User-friendliness is a crucial criterion when considering the adoption of any new technology. The technology should possess an intuitive interface with clear instructions and documentation for employees, ensuring ease of use, navigation, and learning. Implementing a concise and comprehensive training program that highlights the purposes, benefits, and experiences associated with the new technology is essential. It also contains on-demand training, allowing the employees to learn at their own pace.
To increase adoption rates, it is vital to establish a well-supported feedback channel that enables employees to report issues and suggest improvements to the new technology. Addressing concerns and implementing necessary changes based on employee feedback encourages ongoing engagement and facilitates continuous learning and skill development related to the technology.
Seamless integration of the new technology into existing workflows and processes is paramount to minimise disruptions and ensure a smooth transition towards its incorporation. When the new technology is an upgraded version of existing processes and can reduce employee workload, it positively impacts the workflow, motivating employees to embrace and adopt the technology.
