Smart business owners usually have a set pattern that they adopt early on in their business career. They've stumbled upon a system that works and decide to stick with that pattern. Commonly, this approach succeeded in the past.
Today, things are rapidly changing. Technology has changed the way that we run a business operation. Therefore, it's important that the business owner stay current with the times and not simply stick to old patterns just because it worked for them before. Business owners should actively embrace new technology and reap the benefits in their personal and business life. In fact, this is how being an early adopter of personal technology helps you ride the wave of business success.
Early Adopters/Followers
Early adopters and followers are two distinct and separate personalities. Think about it for a moment. Which one are you? Are you a risk taker or do you prefer to take it slow? Early adopters are the ones who were the first at the Apple store purchasing the new iPad or iPod. They were the first to purchase the new Samsung device and use mobile technology to process customer payments while they were on the go around town.
On the other hand, followers are definitely not risk takers. They have a “wait and see” attitude. They wait to make sure that the new technology is sound and reasonable for their own purposes. They may even not want to adopt any new technology for themselves at all. That means, disconnecting themselves from a real understand of current trends in consumer behavior.
Risk Takers
Early adopters are by nature risk takers. They are usually the “go to” people because they are very knowledgeable about all the new technologies and innovations on the market. Other companies like to deal with people who have a higher knowledge of technology on a personal and business level. This leads to a satisfying business relationship and a productive future. For example, early adopters were taking customer orders with their mobile devices and apps while other competing business owners were playing it safe. The early adopters were driving up their revenue and customer satisfaction. They were in the process leaving the more cautious competition behind.
Leaders
Early adopters of technology on a personal level and business level tend to be the leaders of the pack. This is the “go to” person who takes full advantage of personal technology and all its benefits as it relates to operating their business or their personal life. They were probably the first one's to use Skype or to send a text message in the early Internet years while the competition was still faxing and sending mail through the post.
Resistance to Change
The average business owner is pretty resistant to change, and that may not always be a completely bad thing. They want to stick with the technology that worked for them in the past. However, this is the type of thinking that can stop a business from growing and achieving optimal success. New ideas, new products, and new technologies encourage people to change the way that they think and feel about new innovations. Often, it's better to take risks and embrace the new technology. This is the one of the key ways in which modern business is able to grow and succeed.
Be An Early Adopter
Even if it goes against your nature, it pays to be an early adopter. Check out all the new stuff coming along, read “Wired” magazine, try things out for yourself. The thought of, for example, Alternative Reality and wearable computers (you have heard about this, right?) may make you cringe personally, but it won't make you entire customer base cringe. As an early adopter of personal technology, you'll always reap more benefits and achieve a higher degree of success, because you'll be able to understand and spot trends which you need to account for in your own business.
Hiding your head under a bushel will simply result in your having a head full of bushel dust!
