Did you know that while 41% of people generally make New Year’s resolutions, just 9% of those people have been successful in sticking to their resolutions? If it’s so tough to make a change when we truly understand why we’re attempting to change, it shouldn’t be surprising that introducing change in an organization might be even more challenging.

In today’s digital realm, almost every other industry capitalizes on technology to get the work done efficiently. Employers incorporate cutting-edge tech, be it software or machines, to boost sales, enhance profits, raise productivity, and stay ahead of the competition. But unfortunately, these technological developments leave some employees uneasy to the point where they refuse to accept this change.

Resistance to technology is an instinctive reaction when people are expected to change. Most, if not all, people grow so accustomed to routine – performing the same chores every other day, thus introducing something new triggers anxiety. With a loss of familiarity comes the fear of uncertainty – what if they wouldn’t be able to understand and operate new tech? Therefore, employees tend to adhere to the familiar rather than embrace the unfamiliar.

And this poses the question: what steps should organizations take to get employees on board? While there is no one-size-fits-all solution, some strategies exist to overcome challenges. So, let’s dive into those:

1. Explain the upsides of technology

As businesses strive to automate their operations and services, they must alsoguarantee that crucial applications fulfill specific control, compliance, performance, and strategic business requirements. Today, organizations create hybrid IT infrastructures, including several cloud deployments, campuses, interconnected branches, and data centers. Due to this increased attack surface, malicious actors have everything they need to conduct cybersecurity attacks.

And thus, it gives all the more reasons for organizations to implement advanced cybersecurity solutions, such as Fortinet Firewall, to increase network convergence and strengthen IT architecture. This security solution provider offers end-to-end protection from sophisticated cybercrimes.

And to reduce resistance, employers can elucidate how advanced firewall processorsswiftly identify and obstruct network intrusions before any serious issue arises.

2. Choose the right time

When embracing new tech across the organization, businesses should first determine whether it’s the right time. And if there are any uncertainties, it’s better to step back and give it some more thought. It’s imperative to introduce technological developments only when organizations are sure about the results.

However, if all stakeholders believe the timing is appropriate, go slowly and gradually implement improvements. While some organizations feel tempted to adopt technological developments all of a sudden, they risk encountering fierce opposition if they do so.

Besides, it takes time for the staff to learn how to use new technology. And since everyone has a different learning pace, organizations should provide sufficient time and support during this period of intense change. This way, employees will feel less daunted by the advanced technology and adapt quickly to the new environment.

3. Offer training and resources

Too often, employees worry they’ll come off as unskilled professionals in front of their workplace colleagues. People accustomed to specific software or system understand its intricacies and consider themselves competent professionals. However, with the adoption of a new system or application, people get intimidated, and there’s the likelihood that they might make blunders.

Therefore, employers should educate employees and provide the necessary training to prepare them for technological change. For instance, organizations can offer IT training to staff members or conduct training classes. They can even leverage IT consulting services to educate employees about tech developments.

Remember, every employee has a unique learning style. Therefore, it would be viable for organizations to use various learning techniques. For example, employers can offer textual instructions for verbal learners. In contrast, they can provide resources with visuals and videos for visual learners.

4. Communicate timely

The human element is one of the most crucial aspects of the planning phase. Therefore, effective communication with employees is the best way to manage technological resistance.

Organizations can choose to inform people of impending change in a plethora of ways. These may include newsletters, email updates, workplace communication software, meetings, or one-on-one interactions.In addition, organizations candevise an internal press release stating the new software system’s objectives and demonstrating its procedure. Or better yet, organizations can establish a committee that assistsemployees in adapting to the tech change, including both proponents and opponents of the strategy.

That said, create an atmosphere where employees can offer their feedback. Ask them to express their opinions. Of course, some employees might be reluctant to share their thoughts, even more so when they aren’t optimistic about the new technology. Nonetheless, organizations should encourage them to voice their views. Chances are, employees could offer genuinely sound suggestions for implementing advanced technology.

5. Incorporate a pilot program

Coming up with a pilot program is another way to ease the transition and adjust to new technology. A pilot program, in essence, is a brief experiment that enables organizations to study how a large-scale project will pan out in practice. It can entail anyone, from a single individual to an entire team.

However, before commencing this program, organizations, more often than not, need to appoint champions. These individuals are supporters, advocates, and apostles of the new tech. They are the ones that get past the resistance to tech within the workplace.

Organizations can identify these professionals since they are the first to offer their services for a workplace initiative or organize training. These championsact as a go-to resource for queries and can help resolve potential problems.An end user eager to support new technology can be a potent instrument for accelerating adoption.

Final Words

In today’s fast-moving digital world, implementing new technology isn’t only inevitable; it’s also indispensable to streamline business operations and stay relevant in the industry. While it’s true that embracing new tech is challenging, it’s not next to impossible. After all, change happens whether or not people want it; the best thing businesses can do is be ready for it.

So, understand the concerns of employees.Even in the most supportive settings, organizations should recognize and react to the wide range of human reactions precipitated by periods of significant change. Once figured out, employers can take measures, such as introducing a pilot program, casting a vision, and providing resources.

By implementing some of these strategies, organizations can lead from the place of empathy. This way,they can allay employees’ fears. Not only this, but they can also make it simpler for their coworkers to get past their initial user reluctance. So, adopt the relevant tactics to reap the perks of new tech and achieve organizational objectives.