Are you Known for Being Tech-Savvy?

Are you know for anticipating and adopting innovations in business- building digital technology applications? To be tech savvy is now commonplace, thanks to technology. It may seem impossible or even daunting, but necessary to stay ahead. So how do we get there? Digital media can put entire libraries into the palm of our hands, while Computers as eyewear and wristwatches are no longer part of science fiction but are our current reality. Three-D printing is set to revolutionize manufacturing, medical, and other industries. New inventions and engineering marvels are emerging every day and every part of the world. Whether people are thrilled or intimidated by the tech world, the simple truth remains it’s inescapable. Disruptive technologies are entering the market at breakneck speed. You and your organization can't be cutting-edge without being out in front of at least some technology and digital fronts. Being tech savvy’s is not just nice to have for success today. It is very much a must-have. It can enable people to do their jobs better and quicker. It can ensure that organizations stay ahead of the pack. Embrace what's new and confusing. Learn what's coming. Clarify the power and promise of technology to be tech-savvy.

So who does it best? Let's look at Three CEO's-Robert McDonnell at Procter & Gamble, Massimo Bongiovanni with co-op Central and Italy, and Toshifumi Suzuki 7-11 Japan. What do they all have in common? What differentiates them from most of their peers? They're all known from being tech-savvy business leaders. They keep IT at the central business strategy. They're fully involved in strategic IT decisions, something they expect their senior management team to follow. They ensure that the partnership between business and IT is on equal putting. And the result of their efforts? Excellent rates for return. Research shows that organizations that spend more on IT and up higher levels of tech savvy can achieve 20% or more significant margins than the competition. Those paying the least on IT and with poor standards of tech-savvy earn 32% lower margins than the competitors. 

Highly Skilled In Tech-Savvy

·         It anticipates the impact of emerging technologies and makes adjustments.

·         Scans the environment for new technologies, knowledge, or capabilities that can benefit the business or personal performance.

·         Rejects low impact are harmful technologies.

·         Readily learns and adopts new technologies.

Ten Tips On Becoming Tech-Savvy.

1. Not sure where to start? Prioritize what makes the most difference. There are millions of technologies out there with more being created every day. The chances are that you will only be called upon to understand and use a small fraction of them. Tech-savvy involves determining the right innovations for the benefit of the organization. It doesn't mean throwing out what already works well in favor of something unproven and novel. The changes used at work tend to be more useful than what existed before and easier to use.

2. Technophobia? Shift your attitude about technology. Many people find technology more daunting than exciting. It can be frustrating to face tools that you have no idea how to use. You may find yourself making basic mistakes or getting confused by some of the similar features. Perhaps it feels like everyone gets out, but you don't. Don't let this to deter you. View technology as a tool to help you be more successful, not something that gets in the way, is irritating or makes you feel adequate. Remember, everyone starts as a novice when learning new technologies. Focus on the benefits that technology provides, not the trouble he may initially cause you. Get comfortable being an amateur with the latest technology. Have confidence that one day you will master it.

3. Learn best through others? Seek out formal and informal experts. Desktop support? Company IT help-desk? Administrative services? Tech support comes from many different directions and different organizations. But experts do not always have job titles that lead you to them. They're everywhere, and all sorts of roles. The people who love to discover by playing with technology. Those who naturally gravitate to the digital solution for everything. Scope out your colleagues and others in the organization who always seem to have the latest tech gadget person. Learn what technology does for them. Is it a time savings? What doors does it open? What does it replace? What does it add to their day that's missing from yours? Most people are good at something don't mind having a few apprentices around.

4. Need a good reference? Get support online. Most technologies have online support. People who create technology want you to use it, so there are often many online tutorials, documents, and discussion boards and facilitate learning independent sites or users can read experts thoughts on new technologies and hear about others experiences in applying them.

5. Prefer to learn in a formal setting? Take a class. Your local college or trade school likely offers nighttime or weekend courses on various digital and technological topics. Look into the community groups or professional organizations as well. Many of these provide courses and technology that are essential to roles. Check into your organizations' training resources. Ask around. What have people found useful? Where did they go to get help? For current technologies, choose courses that emphasize application and do-it-now tips. That provides the hands-on experience with lots of practice with techniques you need to excel in your role. Don't just focus on the current state. Take classes or attend seminars on new digital innovations that are on the horizon. Don’t just aim to learn about what’s top of mind now. Find out what’s coming to learn about it before you need to.

6. Too busy? Find time to play. Building tech savvy doesn't need to be an ordeal. It doesn't need to be a source of anxiety and stress. Is it a skill that can multiply if you have fun with that. Consider another area that people frequently find very challenging public speaking. It's not uncommon for people to build this capability, not to making formal speeches, but by joining improved commie groups are amateur dramatic companies. Performing a stage can take away the fear that makes them more accomplished public speakers. They lose their self-consciousness and gain confidence in front of audiences. Tech-savvy can grow much the same way. Buying things, you joy about technology-video games, entertaining websites, cool new gadgets, music-making software.

2. Want to stay ahead of the curve? Become an early adopter. Tech-savvy people don't simply adjust to change. They actively seek out the new, the improve, the cutting edge. Be the first tester of new and emerging technology. Don't wait into you have to hurry and catch up. Whenever new technology services, volunteer to learn and try it first. That gives you a head start allows you to stumble a bit because you are the first. You may discover glitches. You might struggle with some aspects of it. You are dealing with the risk that it might not work and facing this certainty that comes with being amateur or all part of the process.

3. Are you hoarding your knowledge? Advocate and educate. Think about how you can use your expertise in tech-savvy to support the aims of your organization. If you encounter a new application or innovation that could add value, encourage others to adopt it. Make a case for the benefits it can bring. Demonstrate the profit it can add. Present the business case first purchasing it and deploying it widely. Teach others how to use it and serve as the organizations go-to-expert for the new technology.

4.  Are they facing skepticism about the technologies? Emphasize with concern about innovation. People resist technique for a wide variety of reasons. Some no want to learn new things. Others have had bad experiences in the past. A few may be wary of how much of modern life is influenced by the digital age. They understand the source of both your own and other people's concerns you will find it easier to address them. If you are implementing are advocating and into technology? Ensure that everyone has ample time to get comfortable with that. Acceptance of technology across a group seldom comes at all once. It's likely to happen gradually. Allow people to learn at their place. Recognize some may struggle with the change. Encourage fast learners to help teach those who take a little bit longer.

10. Out of touch? Stay on top of new communication technologies. Technology has created a world that is far more interconnected and with Social media transforming the way people interact with their career networks. Blogs have given people new forums to express their views and wisdom. Modern teleconferencing, instant messaging, and desktop video tools can enable real-time, base-to-face chats with team members across the globe. In our virtual world, justice is no excuse for falling out of touch, stay current on collaboration techniques. Gartner research www.Gartner.com is a great resource to check out the latest technology and how they apply to your business. Consider how you can use technologies to build and strengthen relationships. Think about how you can keep the dialogue flowing through new media. Scan the Internet to learn what others are saying about your field, organization, or industry. Make new connections via the Internet. Get to know people you'll never otherwise have a chance to meet. Build a presence on social/virtual platforms. If you rely only on a limited range of well-extrapolation 

Lastly - Take Time To Reflect…

If you're most comfortable with the technologies, you're already know

… Then embrace the discomforts of what you don't know. Welcome to the disruption that new technology can bring. Go through the pain of the game.

If you adopt ideas late and tends to hang back

… The aim is to become a pioneer. Blaze a trail with new technology and recruit others along the way. Build a reputation for being the first to go live with the latest technology.

If you can't imagine how technology is going to evolve

… Then realize that if you think about the future, then you'll be prepared when it arrives. Today's science fiction is tomorrow's competitive advantage. Studies horizons. Learn what's mean.

Television won't last. it's a flash in the pan!