We live in a celebratory environment More, faster, better. It seems like every time we turn around, there’s another update, upgrade, or version of the technology we currently use. Often, changes are small and gradual. We need to make minimal adjustments, if any, to keep up. But sometimes, jumping requires more effort and mental energy than we put into it.
So it’s no surprise when companies find technology that meets their needs, or at least satisfies them. enough Their needs, they choose to stick with what works. Unfortunately, in the fast-paced environment where the technology landscape is constantly changing, this way of thinking prevents companies from keeping up with their competitors.
We don’t want to be stuck with outdated technology, but we also don’t want to change just for the sake of change. What we want to develop is a technology culture that serves our customers, supports our employees, and influences our decisions for a successful future.
exist Financial Advisor’s Guide to Mergers and Acquisitions, my co-authors and I refer to the common adage that “culture trumps strategy.” I believe this truth applies not only to mergers and acquisitions, but to any financial environment. Culture always determines expectations for behavior, language, and ways of thinking. Our words and actions impact our team’s mindset of growing, changing, and adapting. Because culture is so important, it’s important that we, as overseers of information and technology, take the time to assess whether our current technology culture needs to change. In the following sections, we’ll learn why.
Technological culture affects our focus
Does your technology allow your team to focus entirely on customer needs rather than their own? Do your customers’ needs match your system’s capabilities? Do your employees have the resources and training to serve and assist customers promptly? Are there any disconnects or mismatches? If anything, the first step to changing the culture is communicating the value your technology brings to everyone’s role.
How did you do it? This starts with managers. The value of internal technology systems lies in how they are actually used and how well they are used. Make sure your employees understand your expectations that technology is a means to ultimately benefit your customers. You must clearly communicate that people are the focus, not the project.
When a company systematically invests in technology and spends time and money to properly train its employees, you create a cultural expectation for growth. For example, companies that offer learning management systems, create documented manuals with procedural standards, and match new hires with mentors or learning partners demonstrate that the company values communication, connection, and consistency—all of which create a positive work environment, ultimately benefiting customers.
When we enter this new
10 years on, now is a good time to think about your technology goals
mechanism.
Technology culture sets our expectations
You want to increase your revenue, and you want to achieve this by making your system more efficient. A technology culture that anticipates growth will also support employees and look forward to adoption. Does your current culture enable employees to communicate as technology changes occur? Do they know when routine updates, upgrades, and new interfaces are coming? If a problem arises, do they know who to talk to? The Tech Culture Program regularly provides training and resources to help them make these transitions.
Top players, including you, are huge influencers of tech culture. When people see you promoting and leveraging recent changes, the culture becomes one that expects a willingness to adapt. When leaders embrace technological change, others are sure to follow.
Are you open to feedback? A culture that welcomes users to share their concerns, questions, or struggles will create an environment where people feel heard. Don’t underestimate the opportunity to learn where the people using the technology can improve.
You can also develop a technology culture by solving the following problems: no acceptable. For example, if your culture is currently difficult to change, which will impact your ability to adapt long-term, take steps to meet expectations and highlight individuals who fit the desired cultural norms.
Science and Technology Culture Creation Standards
Develop usage baselines that make sense for what you want to achieve with your technology program. A new program is only as good as its users. Regardless of its function, if employees are not properly trained or confident enough to use it well, it will not benefit the customer. You need to ask whether current technology both serves customers and improves internal efficiency.
Take some time to identify what growth looks like. You’re managing data maintenance upgrades, mobile app enhancements and internal CRM releases – as well as countless other changes. Does your company have standards for when to make these improvements and upgrades? Ask yourself: Is our technology serving us well? If so, that’s fine. If not, what needs to change?
Science and technology culture leads you forward
As we enter a new decade, now is a good time to think about your institution’s technology goals. How does technology help you achieve your overall goals? What are your plans for technology adoption and upgrades in the coming year? The next ten years? What do you think the customer experience would look like in the same time frame?
Does the current tech culture support your goals? If not, take stock of what changes need to be made and start working on clearly communicating your expectations and plans. No matter what your future technology goals are, a healthy tech culture will guide you forward.
