[aa_subtitle_display]Technology is changing at a rapid pace in the world that we live in today.
In turn, that affects our employees and how we utilize the different mediums to do work as conveniently and efficiently as possible. While the innovation is wonderful for your business in countless ways, it also presents challenges that can be both intimidating and tricky to tackle and overcome.
One of the challenges that comes with changing technology is helping older employees adapt to the newness to use the tools just as effectively as everyone else is.
We recognize that this can be a sensitive topic that is difficult to broach, but we also know that it must be done to continue pushing your business forward. For that reason, we’ve compiled a list of the best ways to integrate new technology specifically for your older employees as well as how your PEO can assist in this process.
Remind employees that change is inevitable
When dealing with things that change frequently, it is bound to raise the frustration level of employees
– especially those that are older and not as apt to picking up new technological skills.
In these moments, it is important to remind your workers of the changes they have previously faced that are now a normal part of day-to-day life.
This will provide a new perspective that even though adaptation can be intimidating and almost a daunting process for some, there is light at the end of the tunnel and it is not something that is actually impossible.
Provide training and resources
When new technology is introduced, it can be easy to assume that the adaptation to it around the office will be seamless and easy. That may lead you, as the employer, to thinking that training is not necessary and would be a waste of time and resources.
However, with older employees it is vital to recognize that they may not ask for training, but that does not mean that they do not need or want it. Offering training
– whether it being in a group, hosting individual office hours, or through any further medium
– is a good way to show any employee struggling with the change that you perceive that it might not be an effortless change for everyone.
This will encourage those struggling to feel more comfortable asking for help and then as a consequence of that
– it’ll make the overall office transition quicker and less problematic.
Your PEO can assist you in figuring out the best method or methods of training for your specific office and will help in integrating the program into your office life to maximize effectiveness.
Provide ongoing support outside of training
While training is the first step in the learning process, it is also important to provide ongoing support to older employees struggling with the technology even once formalized training has ended. There are several ways of doing this.
Some ideas to do this include ensuring that the leaders at your company are being proactive about reaching out to those who needed specialized help to certify that they are getting the help they need, encouraging the “experts” on the teams to be helpful to those around them, and inspiring those having trouble to utilize the “buddy” system to learn best practices, tips and tricks.
Consulting your PEO about the best ways to provide this support and make it known to employees is helpful and will make the process overall easier on you – the employer.
Be clear about the effects of not adapting
While you certainly do not want to be overly harsh with older employees that are more sensitive to the ever changing technology trends of today’s world, you do want to be clear and firm in the fact that adapting is necessary for evolution. In order to meet the goals of your business and continue to move the company forward, this change is vital.
That being said, it is important to alert your employees of the consequences that accompany the resistance to evolution. To bring this to life, make sure to use real-life examples that highlight “if we do not use this new software, sales will be stunted because of X, Y, and Z” – or something to that effect.
Grounding the consequences in relatable ideas, facts, or statistics is what will draw the largest reaction out of your employees. While this is a delicate line to balance
– the idea of being supportive and encouraging while still driving potential consequences home
– your PEO has the resources and experience to help you do so.
Understanding how to help older employees – or any that are resistant to change – is an important part of implementing technological advancements in your workplace.
Your PEO is here to help support the change and smooth out the process overall in order to keep your company up-to-date, tech-savvy, and constantly evolving.
