Embrace the Next Step

Henry Ford is generally credited with being the creator of the assembly line. To meet the demand for his Model T automobiles, Mr. Ford knew that just hiring more people wouldn't be enough to mount the challenge of building Ford Motor Company, it would take technology. His technology was crude by our standards, but it did what technology does: leverage the productivity of human beings. During the year Ford's assembly line was first put in service, he wasn't just using technology, he was creating it. He was also turning 50.

How much have you looked into adopting technology to help you leverage the humans in your organization? Accounting and prospect management software, features-rich cell phones, networking your computers, the list is endless.

Some people don't embrace technology because they think they have gotten too far behind the curve. Hogwash! There is so much point-and-click technological capability these days that you can ramp up on any learning curve within a matter of days, if not hours. And besides, rapid changes in technology means you can catch up with anyone by being prepared to fully adopt the next generation of capability, that's usually never more than 90 days away. You can literally go from being a technology illiterate to being an application expert within weeks. But you do have to take that first step.

Some people whine that they are too old to learn all the new stuff. At eighty years old, the great Roman statesman, Cato (234-149 BC), began studying Greek. When asked why he would contemplate such a lengthy undertaking at such an advanced age, he replied, " This is the youngest age I have left."

Regardless of your age or level of technological proficiency, start learning and adopting the new technology. No excuses! Remember, it's the youngest age you have left.

By Jim Blasingame ©2007 All Rights Reserved