Strategies to Handle Technological Change, Essay Example

According to the Angus Reid Group, 14% of Canadian workers identified new technology in the workplace as a significant source of stress (Beuermann-King, par. 2).  The world is rapidly changing due to advancements in many different areas of technology and it can be very daunting and stressful for people that do now know how to adapt to these changes or consider themselves to be technologically illiterate.  Technology helped to adjust and reform the way we do things at work, at home, and in our social lives when we make friends and communicate with them.  There are several strategies that provide people with the ability to cope with these rapid technological changes to perform simple daily tasks in our lives.

The first strategy is to remember that we are in charge of the machines, not the other way around.  The technology requires a user to send an email or type the message.  The message comes from our minds.  Therefore, we must understand that the machines are simply doing what we tell them to do, not the other way around.  Developing a simple priority system can help keep people on track with their technology use and not enable them to become overwhelmed with the advancements and constant updates of software and hardware (Beuermann-King, par. 5).  In addition, it is important that people find time away from technology and are not staying connected all day, every day.  This can become draining on the mind, the body, and on our social relationships.

Another strategy in handling technological change is to watch the expectations that we have of the technology.  “It probably will not be without its flaws and it will probably ripple out and impact other areas because of this” (Beuermann-King, par. 6).  By acknowledging that the technology will continue to change, we understand that we too must adapt to the changes.  However, even with constant updates and new versions of software being devised all the time, we must understand that technology has its flaws too.  Nothing is perfect and even technology can have moments where something does not work right and it crashes down.  Instead of becoming angry, we must understand the sensitivity of technology and continue to understand the first point that we are in charge of the technology, not the other way around.  When we can allow these strategies to take place, we will be better equipped to live in this complex technologically advanced society.

References

Abdoulaye, T., & Sanders, J.H. (2003, July 27-30). Improving marketing atrategies to accelerate technological change for the basic cereal: the niger case. Retrieved on October 14, 2009, from Web site: http://ideas.repec.org/p/ags/aaea03/22207.html

Anderson, T. (1999). Review: managing technological change: strategies for college and university leaders. Journal of Distance Education, 14(2), 89-91. Retrieved on October 14, 2009, from Web site: http://www.jofde.ca/index.php/jde/article/viewDownloadInterstitial/436/375

Beuermann-King, B. (n.d.). Future shock: ten strategies for handling changing techology. Retrieved on October 14, 2009, from Web site: http://www.worksmartlivesmart.com/files/File/articles/987-Future_Shock_Strategies_For_Handling_Changing_Technology.pdf

Sengupta, S. (2001, April 01). Managing technological change: strategies for college and university leaders. Retrieved on October 14, 2009, from Web site: http://www.accessmylibrary.com/article-1G1-79961291/managing-technological-change-strategies.html