TO compete in the world of tomorrow, companies need to stay with technology trends. But they have to realize that innovation isn’t just a technology process. A cultural shift, setting innovators free to try new things and keeping employees involved, bridges emerging tech adoption with innovation. You may remember one of my previous columns where I outlined that leaders have to shift from being “commanders” to becoming “coaches.”
Businesses strive for innovation to stay competitive, but adopting emerging technologies is not the be-all and end-all for transformation.
Mature companies begin innovating with emerging technology by breaking it out into a workflow independent of daily technology needs. Cultural shifts and fitting the work force into the equation play an important role in the success of innovation too. Especially at a time when more and more millennials and centennials are entering the work force with clearly different expectations, but with a new approach to committing effectively to the success of an organization. We have to realize that they want to be part of solution delivery!
Let’s look at some tech trends we have to take seriously:
Artificial Intelligence or AI—to be mastered by humans
Data-intensive applications—in manufacturing and in data management
Cyber security—as digitalization opens our “doors” for hackers
Health data—both money maker and data privacy hot spot.
As you can see, the Covid-19 crisis has dramatically accelerated corporate digital transformation. Companies need to integrate emerging technologies into innovation processes if they want to stay ahead of the curve.
In this context I liked the statements Mr. Abid Zaidl, chief operating officer of Microsoft Philippines, made. He said: “You have to bring in automation. You can’t rely on the old ways of doing things.” Microsoft wants the Philippines to embrace technology tighter and faster. He is promoting digital channels like chatbots, and adds: “Once you have chatbots, you have to train the AI engine on the data. Are you collecting that data? Are you doing that analysis? Are you training your engine? Do you have that layer that interacts with your customer? You have to control your process well.”
Given the focus on AI and machine learning, we have to clearly bear in mind that people and work come first, then emerging technologies!
Innovation isn’t just a technology process. A cultural shift, setting innovators free to try new things and keeping employees involved, bridges emerging tech adoption with innovation.
Leading with technology, instead of with the work force, creates a humans vs. machine mentality. The mentality creates more work for humans to fill in process gaps.
When adopting emerging technologies and innovative processes, executives should consider how do I keep my people relevant and employed even as I bring on automation, as opposed to maybe viewing the humans as disposable.
Leaders can make it safe for employees to be part of the emerging technology and innovation process by creating incentives. Skilling opportunities provide the ability to work with the technologies, and businesses can secure employees with other positions if the innovations minimize their current roles.
Organizations who lead with the work force and involve their people constructively, and who are continuously experimenting with emerging technologies, are the ones who are the most agile and the ones who are able to proactively anticipate and deal with how technology is going to evolve the work equation.
In conclusion, let me repeat: new technologies can drive innovation—provided people come first. We have to see key technologies like AI more as a chance than a threat.
Your feedback is more than welcome; contact me at hjschumacher59@gmail.com