Every Industry Needs the Technology Industry for Business Growth
Technology has been rapidly entering nearly every aspect of day-to-day life. No matter what area you study or industry you work in, technology is leading the way for growth of business communication and capabilities. Sometimes technology gets a bad rap for making us lazier or too reliant. In the world of business, I argue that the benefits outweigh the costs.
From cell phones to the Internet, technology has grown in prevalence and popularity because it makes things easier. We save time, and it allows us to focus on things we deem more important. Did you leave that e-mail as a draft? Pull it up on your phone by connecting to a WiFi hotspot and send it. Did you turn off the lights when you left for vacation? Check the app on your phone and make sure, and if not turn them off. When technology is created with good intentions, we can create solutions which entrepreneurs and customers alike can profit from. In fact, the B2B (business to business) tech industry has developed out of this idea. Now an entire market of programs exists that is designed to increase efficiency, productivity, and quality. For more reason than one, every industry needs the tech industry.
Technology is allowing us to do business more accurately and efficiently across industries.
First, technology allowed us to communicate through cell phones, e-mails, video conferencing, and more. Now, it’s allowing us to collect, interpret, and share data that businesses can use to better understand and serve their customers. Stitch Fix, a website where people fill out a simple survey about their tastes and sizes, uses algorithms to custom pick pieces of clothing for subscribers. A few items including shoes and accessories are delivered to your door. You only keep and pay for the ones you like, and you can send the rest back. Companies like Stitch Fix rely not only on Internet technology to reach customers but also on data provided by technology to tailor their products and services.
Though Stitch Fix may not change the retail fashion market, other technology is disrupting entire industries. Medical innovations like wearables and data sharing may change healthcare as we know it. Northwell Health is creating wearables designed to deliver more accurate patient information that can be quickly shared by connecting it to the Internet of Things (IoT). Soon, hospitals and doctors offices alike will shift towards IoT-based systems in order to keep up with changing industry standards for data collection and record sharing. Education is also reaping the benefits of technology and learning through the data it provides. By using interactive learning programs, students learn through audio, visual, and tactile engagement. With data collected in these programs, we can understand which students learn better through which channels and further develop programs designed with the students in mind.
The technical advancements made possible for businesses, healthcare, and education through innovation are constantly evolving. Connecting products to the Internet of Things isn’t always the best option, and data collected through technology is only useful if it’s focused on improvement. There are still limitations to what technology allows us to do, but the benefits of a well-executed solution go beyond innovation just for innovation’s sake.
Technology is creating new working environments.
Technology has created flexibility by allowing people to work from home, keep in contact when traveling, and access information through the cloud. People who work in technology report being happier because of the option to ditch their daily routine, business attire, and stressful commute. Working remotely, when balanced with face-to-face interaction with colleagues and customers, can boost morale while maintaining productivity. Technology itself is improving business growth, and effective technology use can even improve personal career growth. Who doesn’t want the best of both?
Innovative thinking keeps us moving forward working towards the “bigger picture.”
Attaining large goals like clean energy or cures for diseases comes from small steps can bring about smart cities or more accurate medical data. Promoting working smarter over working harder is what technological innovation is about. When we do this, it naturally paves the way for a better work-life balance. While I’m not sure I would choose a career in technology, I’ve never been as much of an advocate for the adoption of technology. In just one summer at IPS, I’ve learned so much about the importance of innovation and the way it can serve others. I hope to take this knowledge into whichever industry I begin my career in, and encourage everyone to do the same. Every market can benefit from targeted deployment of technology when we create solutions with good intentions, progressive goals, and the user in mind.
