To maintain their positions at the top, leading companies need to keep a finger on the pulse of the tech industry and be ready to implement new technologies quickly. Companies survive by adopting the latest technology trends in meaningful ways that add real value for their employees and customers. When companies are constantly behind the curve, they usually struggle to maintain market share and eventually end up failing.
However, staying ahead of the curve and “in-the-know” can be difficult for organizations. Employees are usually occupied with their day-to-day job responsibilities. IT leaders and chief technology officers (CTOs) must plan for the organization’s future tech needs, but it is time-consuming to survey the emerging tech landscape, identify specific technologies that may be helpful to the organization, and then learn enough about them to assess their true relevance.
Still, staying current with new technologies is critical for organizational success. Here are a few strategies organizations can use to stay up-to-date:
1. Read widely.
Reading is usually the easiest way to learn about up-and-coming technologies. Look to blogs, newsletters, online journals and magazines, tech-focused news sites, and thought leaders on social networks to learn more about emerging tech. The most relevant media for your organization will depend on your industry, market, size, and other variables. However, even if you have only a few minutes each day to read, this can give you a clear idea of what people are talking about.
2. Attend industry events
Before new technologies ever make it to print or online media, they are often debuted at conferences, public product launches, and other industry events. To stay current with tech advances, organizations should identify the key events for their industry and send representatives to report back on what the future holds. These events are a great way to start thinking about key pivots that may need to be made to keep a company afloat or gain an edge over competitors.
3. Hire the right people
Organizations often lean on their employees to keep them updated about technological advancements. Of course, this may require the organization to provide employees with the resources they need to learn about new tech—such as subscriptions to tech news sites, tickets to conferences, or even classes or certification programs. This approach can be helpful in terms of facilitating conversations about the technologies an organization should adopt. It’s important to ask what resources employees need to stay up-to-date with new technologies and ensure they have adequate access.
4. Make an official role
Organizations can also make it someone’s job to report on new technology. Typically, this responsibility would be added to the job description of an existing role, rather than becoming its own position. However, if your organization is particularly dependent on technology, then it could become a role. This person should have a formal pipeline for sharing advancements with the company and provide different reports for leadership and the company. Taking this approach is ideal if these updates are vitally important for the organization and need a degree of formality not possible when simply relying on employees for offhand reports.
5. Network on social media
People sometimes discount social media as a way of learning. In reality, a lot of false information is spread via social media, but a discerning eye can usually catch the difference between reputable and disreputable sources. With many social media networks, the best way to gain access to new information is to become a part of the conversation. Start talking with others in your industry; follow thought leaders and other organizations. This way, you’ll naturally hear about the new technologies people are talking about. Establishing this sort of presence involves a time investment, but the return typically makes it worthwhile.
6. Connect with a mentor
Within the business world, mentorship has a range of benefits. One of these benefits may be getting access to on-the-ground information from tech leaders. Depending on your mentor’s position, this individual may be a great resource for learning about new technology that pertains to your organization. If your current mentors are not connected to the tech world, you may consider seeking out a new mentor to help with this area. They can recommend publications you should read, thought leaders you should pay attention to, and more.
7. Network with startups
New technologies often come from startup companies. Even if these companies are not developing them, they may have a good understanding of what’s in the pipeline—what technologies other startups are working on, which technologies or sectors are seeing a lot of investment from VCs, and what is ignored. Thus, networking with startups can be a fruitful way to learn about new technologies. The exchange needs to be mutual, so be sure to think about what your organization can bring to the table. Importantly, startups are attracted to much more than just monetary support. Organizations that can provide mentorship and guidance within a particular industry are often among the most appealing for startups.