We live in a world that is obsessed with solving problems with a system or technology. How many times have you hear someone [basically] say "let's get an app for that"?
Crazy.
I'm all for shiny new things. I love my toys as much as you do. Rarely however does that new systems, application or software suite fix any of the underlying issues.
When was the last time you started using something new, either in your personal or professional life, and it immediately fixed your problem and you changed nothing about what you are doing.
Often, what ends up happening, is that as businesses look to implement some new tech, they also end up having to change HOW they are doing things. The changes that are made to core processes is what drives the success.
Using your phone to track your steps, your sleep, your workout or to even help you write. Pause for a second, think about any of those situations.
Tracking your steps and setting daily goals means that you are actually walking everyday and to the correct amount (the app just confirms that you have).
Want to know if you are sleeping well? Sleep apps will get you to set a bedtime and a wake time, they will prompt you to stop using your screen and to find other ways to calm down before bed (the app then confirms that these changes are producing the desired results).
Your leading the charge at work to implement a new ERP system. Modern ERPs require all kinds of data input, often from people and departments that never have had this level of interaction in the system before. There is more scanning, more recording and of course more reporting. The system supports and promotes certain types of behaviours and discourages others.
That is the real secret sauce. All of these new systems will require change of process, change of thinking. While it may help get the ball rolling, there is often so much room that already exists to change the way we are doing things to start accessing some of those benefits, even without changing a system or implementing that fancy new toy.
Embracing that there is opportunity in your current model is the first step. You need to make things easier on yourself, remove the barriers that you believe are there. Look at how you are doing something, look at what the process is for the team to follow, then ask yourself, "Are we getting everything that we can out of this".
The most common answer is that no, you aren't. We ended up developing flows based on the context of when something started, the limitations that were imposed on us by a customer (who we may no longer serve) or a management structure that had a specific set of goals.
When you take more responsibility for what you can change, your ability to solve problems in a creative and innovative way increases dramatically.
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