Technology keeps changing at a fast pace and it can be overwhelming to keep up with the tech trends that come out almost every other day. Ignoring the trends altogether is not a smart and viable option though since you run the risk of missing out on important new tech updates, software, and hardware that could improve your business processes and even cut operational costs. Technology can help you keep up with the dynamics of the business landscape so you remain competitive and profitable.
The secret to keeping up with tech trends without wasting time and constantly changing your IT resources is to know what is relevant and useful to you. Here’s how to do it.
How To Keep Up With Tech Trends
Understand your needs
You will spend a lot of time and waste your money on software updates. And licenses and be purchasing hardware that your business needs if you don’t understand your needs. So, have a clear definition of the objectives you want to achieve. This also means you will be looking for tech trends on the wrong platforms.
For instance, if your goal is to get more sales through your website. Then you should be looking out for the latest SEO tactics and content marketing strategies rather than news on. Say, ERP solutions, which are still important but not relevant to your specific needs.
Know where to find information tech trends
There are millions of tech blogs and websites on the internet, some more reputable than others. There are also niche websites that feature only one area of technology and nothing else. These ones are the best if you want to stay updated on specific niche technology topics. Big Samo is one such site that deals specifically with online games. It is also a good idea to check out niche sites that aren’t have to do. With tech but use tech in their industry such as business sites. They might be recommending the latest HR;
Also, follow your favorite tech writers and companies on social media and subscribe. To the mailing list of your software providers. Those newsletters are quite informative whenever there are updates and new developments.
Attend industry events
Industry events are a great place to network with fellow professionals. Also rub shoulders with the creators of some of the technologies you commonly use. This holds true for both business events and tech events where tech leaders usually attend to market their products and services.
Through events like these, you can predict future technological trends and become more conversant with new technology. You will be surprised how much goes on in the world of technology. That you aren’t aware of when you attend industry events.
The conference is a great opportunity to learn about innovative technologies in your industry. You can hear from industry leaders, attend training sessions and discuss their products with suppliers. You can also watch technology-focused events and apply what you’ve learned to your industry. Many conferences offer their keynotes online for those who don’t have the time or budget to attend in person.
Take your time to keep up with technology trends
As much you need to keep up with technology, don’t be in a rush to pick every new technology and device in the market. You need to follow due process when introducing any new technology into your business. This is because change often comes at cost of training new staff and phasing out the old technology for the new one. More importantly, you need to assess the benefits of the new technology otherwise you are better off running with your current version.
Also, the later versions of any new technology are better since the developers have identified bugs and other issues and resolved them
Connect with social media
There are many influencers who have embraced technology and emerging trends. You can subscribe to the newsletter or set up reminders to notify you when new material is released by your favorite tech influencers. In addition to influencers, you can follow accounts of industry and technology companies to learn more about emerging technologies.
Listen to the podcast related to tech trends
If you’re an auditory learner, podcasts can be a great way to keep up with general technology news and industry-specific technological advancements. There are even podcasts that serve as virtual programming lessons. Podcasts are free and can be listened to anywhere.
Follow technology news
With new updates appearing almost every day, it’s a must to have a network of industry experts to turn to for advice. Use apps like Panda or Pocket to create custom dashboards or newsfeeds for offline reading. Follow leading thought leaders in industry publications like TechCrunch and Recode, and watch related video content from two-minute papers, The Verge, and WIRED. These media condense complex topics into easy-to-understand formats to quickly provide you with the best, high-level insights.
