One of the biggest mistakes organisations make when deploying new business technologies is ignoring the human element, says business software specialist Epic ERP MD Stuart Scanlon.

Virtualisation, cloud computing and machine learning have become common terms in organisations across different industries.

“With technology permeating virtually every facet of the corporate environment, decision-makers must embrace it if their businesses are to remain relevant. Competitive and bottom-line pressures have become significant with many organisations optimising processes.”

Companies cannot ignore new technologies that promise better work efficiency and real-time data analysis, as well as a host of business intelligence and other features to increase profitability and stakeholder value.

However, uncertainty around job roles and responsibilities, team structures, and even business strategy, owing to the introduction of new technologies, results in a volatile environment in which people are uncertain how to respond to continuous changes.

“Implementing the latest and greatest technology should not come at the cost of alienating employees or their positions inside the organisation. “Digital transformation is as much about technology change as it is about putting people first and becoming a more effective business,” says Scanlon.

Executives must adapt the organisational culture to embrace technological change in a way that not only enhances the overall business strategy but also provides employee benefits (such as making them more efficient at doing their jobs), he emphasises.

Decision-makers need to communicate with all levels of employees to ensure that, when change is taking place, everybody is aware of what is happening inside the organisation and what the potential impact will be on their divisions, teams and themselves.

“Part of the process of helping employees to be more open to this change is to invest in their continuing education. Companies who invest in their people are the ones that will reap the rewards down the line. Employees should never feel that they have become surplus to requirements. Instead, they should see the business taking interest in giving them the skills needed to be successful in a business world,” advises Scanlon.

Companies must learn to analyse performance and provide insightful feedback in clearer ways than in the past.