The buzzwords disruptive innovation and disruptive technology are hot topics these days. From self-driving automobiles– which already exist but are not fully road-legal for business yet – to smart-controlled homes, it’s fair to say that technology is transforming the business landscape. However, the very name of this phenomenon holds a dark prophecy for the workplace: Disruptive tech doesn’t only transform your work processes and strategies, it also destroys the traditional order you’ve established. Is disruption always the best solution for business growth? Ultimately business experts agree that the introduction of new technology into the office needs to be frictionless. When disruptive tech disrupts your teams, it’s failing to fulfill its function.
Are we talking competitive edge?
The first question you need to ask yourself when it comes to new tech is how it will impact your presence on the market. Indeed, the addition of tech solutions to your business is essentially designed to bring your company ahead of the competition. As businesses tend to take inspiration from each other in a competitive environment, the use of technology has to serve a competitive purpose. Indeed, the introduction of new solutions and tools to your work processes has to happen with regard to the market. If the tools can’t give you the one-upmanship you hope, how do you justify its cost?
How does it integrate?
New tools are exciting. They are full of promises, from improving the overall process speed to helping your team interactions. However, disruptive tech doesn’t always come with an easy-to-use implementation guide. In fact, without professional IT support, it can be tricky for small and midsize businesses to implement new tech without disrupting existing systems. From ensuring you’ve got the best OS upgrade for your situation to ensuring that your system can support additional technology, integration issues are more common than you might think. There’s no point in innovative tech when it requires extensive IT expenses to sustain installation!
Is it affordable?
New tech comes at a cost. For small businesses with limited cash flow, the purchase of a disruptive technology needs to be carefully considered. While there are advantageous tax deductions available for small companies, there’s no denying that you first need to define the best financing option. Applying for a commercial loan tends to be the first line of action; however, it’s not always easy to convince money lenders that your company can grow its revenues with new tech.
Is it strategically meaningful?
Applying for a loan forces businesses to consider the strategic justification behind the acquisition of additional tech tools. Indeed, applicants are expected to produce a business plan that shares their vision and growth forecast. This business plan includes an analysis of your market and your company, designed to demonstrate how and where the disruptive technology will be used. Even if you’re looking at other financing options, your business plan is an essential step of your thinking and decision-making processes. It acts as a logical thread that keeps your business united. Ultimately, maintaining a robust strategic approach and a questioning mind at this point is the only way to avoid impulsive tech purchases that will drag you down.
Can disruptive technology be frictionless? The answer is no. Disruptive tech disrupts, both the market and the workplace, even if only temporarily. While friction is the essence of change, too much of it can hinder your growth.
