Technology Enablement

What is Technology Enablement?

Technology enablement refers to the strategic use of technology to empower businesses, improve operations, and drive innovation. It’s all about integrating digital tools, systems, and processes into their operations to increase efficiency, reduce costs, and deliver better value to customers — all while scaling.

Key components of technology enablement include:

• Process automation
• Cloud adoption
• Data analytics
• Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning
• Internet of Things (IoT)
• Digital transformation

It’s important to differentiate between technology enablement and digital transformation. While the latter is about uprooting traditional processes and adopting a digital-first mindset, technology enablement is about enhancing existing processes and systems with technology.

It’s also worth mentioning that technology enablement is different from IT support and IT services. IT support and services are focused on maintaining and managing technology systems. Technology enablement is about leveraging technology to drive business growth.

Synonyms

• Digital technology enablement
• Tech enablement
• Digital transformation
• Technology innovation

Importance of Technology Enablement in Digital Transformation

Today, technology enablement is particularly important because businesses face increasingly complex challenges and competitive markets. With the abondance of data and automation platforms available, it’s easier than ever to innovate. And it’s easier than ever to innovate quickly.

That’s why, according to Gartner, more than 90% of businesses are involved in some sort of digital initiative. Whether they are looking to streamline operations, deliver better customer experiences, or create new revenue streams, technology enablement is a key component of their strategies.

Technology enablement is the driving force behind digital transformation. Investing in an integrated tech stack and implementing cutting-edge technologies gives businesses the infrastructure and tools they need to streamline workflows and eliminate manual tasks. This leads to huge productivity improvements, so businesses to respond faster to market changes and customer needs.

Scalability is another key benefit of technology enablement. Technological advancements have made it so movern software scales with your business. As companies grow, their technology needs evolve. Enablement initiatives guarantee these needs are met with efficiency, so they can meet their long-term strategic goals.

Key Concepts in Technology Enablement

Each aspect of tech enablement serves its own distinct purpose. For example, cloud computing offers scalability and flexibility. Automation and AI help in reducing manual tasks, improving accuracy, and enabling advanced data analytics for more informed decision-making.

As a company considering a technology enablement initiative, you have to consider what fills the actual gaps in your current workflows. That’s how you optimize your tech stack and create a sustained competitive advantage. Otherwise, you’re actually making your processes more complex.

Let’s take a look at the different technology enablement concepts, what they’re useful for, and why you might integrate them into your business.

Digital transformation

Digital transformation is a key aspect of technology enablement and refers to the process of leveraging digital technologies to build new or modify existing business processes, culture, and customer experiences. A ‘transformation’ is a broad, long-term change in how your organization operates, enabled by digital tools and technologies.

Today, most companies (more than 80%) use at least one SaaS product. So, they’ve etiher transformed already or started their business with a digital-first approach.

You’d consider digital transformation if you were looking to modernize outdated processes, customer experiences, or your business model to be more competitive in the digital age. Enablement is for existing processes, while digital transformation is for more radical changes.

Business agility

We can define ‘agility’ as the ability to quickly adapt business processes and models in response to changes in market conditions or customer needs.

Whether its mastering agility in sales operations or expanding your product line to tap into a new target market, agility is key to business success. But pivoting and adjusting quickly requires the right technology.

In a way, operating in today’s market is a continuous business transformation. That’s why, generally speaking, agility is one of the main reasons to invest in technology enablement. When you have the right tech behind your business processes, you can make quick changes that facilitate growth.

User experience (UX)

User experience is a broad term that describes how people interact with technology, whether its software or hardware. More specifically, it’s about optimizing these interactions to be efficient, enjoyable, and user-friendly.

Internally, software adoption is one of the most important considerations for an enablement initiative. If your team members won’t adopt the tools you give them, then it’s a waste of a technology investment.

In the context of technology enablement, improving UX is crucial because it allows employees to work with greater efficiency and effectiveness. The better the UX, the more likely employees are to adopt new technology and processes.

Cloud computing

Cloud computing is the delivery of on-demand computing services over the internet. By using remote servers, businesses can access storage, applications, and other IT resources to power their processes.

Cloud technology’s scalability makes it a powerful tool for technology enablement initiatives. With cloud computing, businesses only pay for the resources they need and can quickly scale up or down as their needs change.

It also allows businesses to access advanced computing capabilities like AI or analytics without having to invest in expensive hardware or software. This makes it an attractive option for companies looking to innovate quickly and stay competitive.

Automation

In the context of business technology, automation refers to the use of technology to perform tasks that would normally be done by a member of your team. It includes everything from automating data entry processes to using AI-powered chatbots for customer service.

For example, CPQ (configure, price, quote) software can supercharge your sales process by automating product configuration, pricing calculations, and quote generation. For your sales team, that means more time to focus on closing deals.

Artificial intelligence (AI)

AI is perhaps the most exciting and rapidly evolving aspect of technology enablement. It’s also the hottest topic among business leaders today — 82% of companies say they’re already either using or exploring the use of AI tools.

AI software uses computer systems to perform tasks that normally require human intelligence, like decision-making, speech recognition, and visual perception. While they aren’t a replacement for human workers, AI tools automate repetitive tasks and provide valuable insights to help businesses make more informed decisions.

AI can be used in a variety of ways within your larger software platforms and as smaller additional tools in your workflow. For example, you could integrate an AI notetaking tool into your CRM and video conferencing software, so you’ll have key points from every sales call without needing to take notes manually.

Cybersecurity

As businesses become more reliant on technology, cybersecurity becomes more and more important. Customer data, payment information, employee records — everything’s on the cloud, these days.

When you’re investing in new tech for an enablement initiative, security should be a #1 concern. You don’t want to jeopardize your business’s operations and reputation by falling victim to a cyber attack.

Thankfully, there are many ways businesses can protect themselves against cyber threats, from using multi-factor authentication to regularly backing up data and having a crisis response plan in place.

Data analytics

Technology is useless if it doesn’t tell you how to improve. Analytics tell you everything. 

How can you improve the customer experience? Where are customer engagement levels dropping? What’s the ROI from that new sales strategy? You need data analytics tools to answer these types of questions and make informed business decisions. 

By collecting and analyzing data from all your different software tools (e.g., CRM, marketing automation), you have a complete picture of how your business is performing both internally and externally. And you’ll know where to improve.

That’s where analytics come in handy. When evaluating new technology investments, always consider the type and quality of information they can produce for you.

Benefits of Technology Enablement

While there are several reasons to invest in technology enablement, these stand out as the most valuable benefits.

It…

• Automates repetitive tasks, freeing up resources for higher-value activities
• Produces data-driven insights for better strategic decisions
• Supports business growth by adapting to evolving needs
• Personalizes customer interactions and streamlines service delivery
• Drives differentiation and opens up new business opportunities​
• Streamlines business processes, reducing operational costs
• Keeps businesses ahead by leveraging cutting-edge technologies
• Boosts employee retention by increasing engagement and simplifying tasks
• Helps leaders understand employee performance
• Improves customer retention and support quality

Creating a Technology Enablement Strategy

To get the ROI you’re looking for from a tech investment (not to mention one as significant as enablement), you need to have a strategy behind it. You need to know the what, why, and how of your approach. And you need to make sure your team actually uses it.

Here’s our step-by-step process for technology enablement:

1. Assess your current tech stack.

Begin by evaluating your existing technology infrastructure and processes. Identify pain points, gaps, and areas where technology could improve efficiency or add value. This assessment will form the foundation of your strategy.

There are a few ways to find this information:

• Ask your team what they like and don’t like about current systems
• Look at productivity metrics to find slow or disorganized processes
• Check for manual data entry and other repetitive tasks that could be automated
• Survey customers about the experiences they have on your website, mobile app, or with your customer service team

You should do all of these things to determine which areas will be the focal point of your enablement process.

2. Align technology with your business goals.

Make sure your technology enablement efforts are aligned with your overall business objectives. Define clear goals for what you want to achieve with technology, whether it’s improving customer experience, increasing operational efficiency, or driving innovation.

For example, if your goal is to accelerate the sales process, you’ll want to look specifically at sales process metrics. If the sales cycle is too long and your sales team says they spend too much time on backend work like creating quotes and proposals, you could start by investing in CPQ, or at least a quoting and proposal automation tool.

Also get your team on board. Investors, exec leadership, and department heads need to all agree enablement is (a) necessary and (b) this is the way to do it.

3. Create a roadmap.

Create a detailed roadmap that outlines the specific technologies and initiatives you plan to implement. This should include timelines, resource allocations, and key milestones to track progress.

Prioritize areas that will have the biggest impact on your business goals. For example, if improving the customer experience is a priority, implementing AI-powered chatbots for instant customer support may be a top priority. If you want to boost employee productivity, investing in a project management software is the best move.

4. Secure the necessary resources.

Determine the budget, personnel, and other resources needed to execute your technology enablement strategy. Ensure you have the right talent in place, or plan for hiring or training as necessary.

Additionally, consider the potential costs and risks associated with implementing new technology, such as data security or integration challenges. Mitigate these risks by conducting thorough research and working closely with vendors during implementation.

5. Pick the right technology for the job.

Since it’s based on your tech stack audit and roadmap, this should already be done by the time you get to this step. But here are a few things to consider when researching technology solutions:

• Scalability: Will the technology grow with your business?
• Integration capabilities: Can it integrate with your existing systems?
• User-friendliness: How easy is it for your team to learn and use?
• Cost: Is it within your budget?
• Support and training: Does the vendor offer support and training resources?

Focus extra diligently on how the new technologies will integrate with your current systems. Effective integration is crucial to avoid silos, ensure data flow, and enable cross-functional collaboration.

Enablement is based on how you can extend the value of your current tech infrastructure by layering on top of it.​ And integration is at the center of that.

6. Invest in user adoption and training.

Investing in technology alone is not enough; you also need to ensure your team knows how to use it effectively. Create a training program and provide ongoing support to encourage the adoption of new technologies.

A few quick tips:

• Start with a pilot or beta group​
• Use a phased implementation strategy
• Share best practices and success stories
• Encourage feedback from users to identify areas for improvement

This will help avoid resistance or frustration from employees and ensure they can use the technology to its full potential.

7. Implement change management.

You need guardrails for the inevitable: things don’t go as planned. Tech fails, users dislike it, or the budget is cut. Enlist a change management expert to help manage any hiccups that may arise during implementation

To avoid the potential need for it, there are a few things you can do as well:

• Communicate early and often. Keep employees updated on the progress of technology implementation and how it will affect their roles.
• Transparently address team members’ concerns. Encourage open communication from employees and address any concerns or resistance they may have.
• Train for adaptability. Provide training not just on how to use the new technology, but also on being adaptable to change. This will help employees embrace and adjust to new systems and processes.

8. Monitor and measure success.

Continuously monitor the impact of your technology enablement initiatives. Use KPIs like productivity, cost savings, and customer satisfaction to assess whether or not the investment is paying off. If you see improvements over time, you can be confident it’s working.

Technology Enablement Examples

To help you grasp the concept of technology enablement, here are several real-world examples that showcase how companies have effectively leveraged technology to transform their operations and drive huge results:

UPS: Fleet management tool

UPS implemented a fleet management system that uses machine learning to optimize delivery routes. It also tracked driver behavior and gave feedback.

This initiative drastically improved driver productivity, reduced fuel costs by $38 milion, and lowered the company’s carbon footprint, resulting in significant cost savings. It also reduced accidents by 38%.

The integration of data-driven systems into operations also enhanced package sorting and loading processes, streamlining logistics for the company.

Michelin: AI-powered manufacturing

Michelin revolutionized its manufacturing processes by integrating AI-powered data analytics. This enabled the company to optimize production efficiency, improve quality control, and enhance supply chain management. The company also deployed collaborative robots (cobots) to assist with repetitive tasks, improving workplace safety and productivity​.

Walmart: Omnichannel retailing

Walmart’s tech enablement involved leveraging cloud computing and AI to optimize its operations and enhance the customer experience. The company implemented voice-enabled commerce, began using blockchain technology to optimize its supply chain, and leveraged AI-powered analytics for personalized customer interactions.

The use of blockchain technology further increased transparency and security within its supply chain.

Nike: Digital ecosystem

Nike developed a digital ecosystem that includes mobile apps like Nike Run Club and Nike Training Club, offering personalized training programs. These apps not only enhance customer engagement but also create a community of fitness enthusiasts.

Nike’s digital strategy also includes integrating technology into retail stores with features like virtual try-ons, creating a seamless online and offline customer experience.

All these platforms come together to create a comprehensive ecosystem that drives customer loyalty and increases sales for the company.

Tesla: Connected car technology

Tesla has set a new standard in the automotive industry with its connected car technology. The company uses over-the-air software updates to continuously improve vehicle performance and safety features.

Tesla’s cars are equipped with advanced sensors and cameras that collect data for real-time analysis, enhancing both the driving experience and vehicle maintenance​. And they don’t even support CarPlay or Android Auto — their native infotainment systems are miles ahead of the competition.

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