As always in business, the prospect of revolutionary new technology is an exciting one. The specifics of what might be promised will always vary, but in general, an overhaul of the working process and a revolutionizing of productivity are both on the table.
This can naturally turn everyone’s attention to the new technology and the new technology alone, perhaps leading to a certain disregard of prior tools that have held similar promises. Being more considered and balanced in your approach to technology use, however, might lead you to a strategy that is more effective and affordable.
Questions of Security
This might seem like the area where exclusively embracing the newest tools would matter the most, but it’s important to consider the kinds of advancements that can be made with older tools. Every business has different security needs, and while there is often a general, foundational approach that you want to take, the specifics are important to match to your own circumstances.
When it comes to web application firewalls, for instance, the cloud can often be the most effective tool in ensuring an adaptable approach – even when you feel as though the cloud might be considered a commonplace technology of business by this point. However, learning more about what a cloud WAF does can help you to better understand what they offer and whether or not they’re right for you.
Drawbacks of the Latest
There is also the element of uncertainty to consider. While it’s easy to imagine all of the wondrous things that a new technology might be capable of – such as AI – the inherent ‘newness’ of it also leaves open some unfamiliarity that might work against it.
There is a temptation to throw all of your eggs in one basket but knowing the tools that you’re working with inside and out can do a lot to help you feel confident with them, even when the potential benefits aren’t as extreme. It can be a difficult balance to strike – avoid a new technology too much and you might miss out on what’s on offer but integrate it too closely into your business and undiscovered drawbacks could become central issues to your operation.
The Benefits of Familiarity
Is familiarity really that much of a benefit? At what point does the working pattern that you and your team are well seasoned with become outdated to the point of detriment? Again, ignoring new technologies outright just to focus on what you’re already familiar with might be problematic, but there can also be times when your audiences don’t necessarily feel as though your business needs the latest technology in order to keep up.
This is where customer service can play a huge role in your success. If you’re a smaller brand that doesn’t feel as though it’s able to keep up with larger competitors and the constant churn of technology, developing a smaller but effective set of operations can help to create your USP. If audiences are sure of an enjoyable and impactful experience with your brand, you can develop a core, dedicated share of the market.
