New technologies drive innovation – if people come first

To compete in the world of tomorrow, companies need to stay with technology trends. But they have to realize that innovation isn't just a technology process. A cultural shift, setting innovators free to try new things and keeping employees involved, bridges emerging tech adoption with innovation. Leaders have to shift from being ‘commanders’ to becoming ‘coaches’.

Businesses strive for innovation to stay competitive, but adopting emerging technologies is not the be-all and end-all for transformation.

Mature companies begin innovating with emerging technology by breaking it out into a workflow independent of daily technology needs. Cultural shifts and fitting the workforce into the equation play an important role in the success of innovation too. Especially at a time when more and more millennials and centennials are entering the workforce with clearly different expectations, but with a new approach to committing effectively to the success of an organization. We have to realize that they want to be part of solution delivery!!

Let’s look at some tech trends we have to take seriously:

* Artificial Intelligence – to be mastered by humans

* Data-intensive applications – in manufacturing and in data management

* Cybersecurity – as digitalization opens our ‘doors’ for hackers

* Health data – both money maker and data privacy hotspot.

Companies need to integrate emerging technologies into innovation processes if they want to stay ahead of the curve.

Given the focus on AI and machine learning, we have to clearly bear in mind that people and work come first, then emerging technologies!!!

Innovation isn't just a technology process. A cultural shift, setting innovators free to try new things and keeping employees involved, bridges emerging tech adoption with innovation.

Leading with technology, instead of with the work force, creates a human vs. machine mentality. The mentality creates more work for humans to fill in process gaps.

When adopting emerging technologies and innovative processes, executives should consider how do I keep my people relevant and employed even as I bring on automation, as opposed to maybe viewing the humans as disposable.

Leaders can make it safe for employees to be part of the emerging technology and innovation process by creating incentives. Skilling opportunities provide the ability to work with the technologies, and businesses can secure employees with other positions if the innovations minimize their current roles.

Organizations who lead with the work force and involve their people constructively, and who are continuously experimenting with emerging technologies, are the ones who are the most agile and the ones who are able to proactively anticipate and deal with how technology is going to evolve the work equation.

In conclusion, let me repeat: new technologies drive innovation — provided people come first. We have to see key technologies like AI more as a chance than a threat.

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