Since the Luddites, people have been afraid that technology could end up taking their jobs. In the modern world, increased automation and robotics have become the scapegoat of job losses in the United States. During the 2016 election, technology received a brief reprieve as the Republican candidate focused on North American Free Trade Agreement and the Trans-Pacific Partnership deals.
Automation is still a concern for many people, but the current administration has dismissed it as a major worry. In reality, there is some truth to this claim. In accounting, the computer and spreadsheet actually took over many accounting tasks and jobs. Today, there are still a large number of well-paid accountants in the country. When a new technology develops, the workforce changes to adjust for it. It makes the entire workforce more effective, but some jobs are eventually switched to other fields or tasks.
As a business owner, technology can help save your job and make running a business easier than ever. Robotics and automation can help speed up manufacturing and improve how you handle data. When used properly, these changes can help your employees become more effective.
Could Automation Take Your Job?
In every technological revolution, there have been jobs lost. During and after each revolution, the economy and the workforce have adjusted. Right now, advances in machine learning, artificial intelligence, and big data analytics have caused job loss and job growth at the same time. There are only so many IT workers skilled in these fields, so they are highly sought after and enjoy high salaries. Meanwhile, employees who lack these skills have been laid off. Once the talent pool adapts to this change and learns new skills, the layoffs will eventually be reversed.
The good news is that business owners can avoid some of the potential job losses by making smart decisions. Software programs, new technologies, and automation can make your company more efficient and competitive than other companies.
If you can minimize the time it takes for an employee to complete their task, then you can also afford to pay them more than you would have before. Employees might not be able to do routine, tedious tasks anymore, but they can do activities that involve mental stimulation and require human input.
Using Technology to Keep Up With the Competition
Many businesses are focused on using technology to improve their business processes. As a business owner, you want to stay up-to-date on all of the latest trends. If you are worried that your job or business could fail because of technology, then you have to focus on how you can change. Consider using a disaster recovery tool, to help boost your business. This type of software ensures that you have a plan no matter what happens in your workplace.
Avoiding Technology Only Hurts in the Long Run
Increased automation has resulted in job loss during this century. There is no way around this key fact, and this fact is not going to change. As long as people keep thinking of innovative, new ideas, there will always be new technologies that result in fewer jobs. These technologies should not be avoided because they can help your business. Ultimately, the employment marketplace will adjust to create new employees who have the right skills for the next technology revolution.
In the short run, you cannot afford to hold off on new technology. Your business needs to remain competitive, and technology can help. As your competitors start using new technology, you need to stay ahead of the curve. Otherwise, your business will eventually become irrelevant.
CRM and Business Intelligence Software for Better Results
A customer relationship management (CRM) system or business intelligence software can help to grow your business. With CRM software, all of the clients’ information is organized according to their purchasing history, preferences, and feedback. This system tracks the marketing materials that the client has already seen and the types of marketing that work best. When you use a CRM system, it might mean that several employees are laid off because they no longer have to perform these routine tasks.
At the same time, a CRM system can increase your sales, client engagement, and revenue. Customers are happier when they are treated based on their preferences and shopping history. The targeted marketing materials mean that your clients are more likely to respond to each advertisement. If your sales revenue goes up, you can hire more employees and grow your business. The only difference is that you will be hiring employees for different tasks than the few jobs that were lost.
Don’t Fear Technology
Job losses may happen initially, but technology allows your business to grow. This growth helps to ensure that you can eventually hire on new employees and develop your company. In addition, technology ensures that your bottom line remains strong. It saves your job while ensuring that your company is competitive and staying on top of the newest trends.
