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Staying Ahead of the Tech Curve: A Guide for Busy Business Leaders

April 4, 2023

In today's rapidly evolving business landscape, staying ahead of the curve when it comes to technology is crucial for success. But with new technologies emerging daily, it can be overwhelming for business leaders to keep up. Below, we'll explore how you can stay informed about the latest technological advancements without dedicating an excessive amount of time to research. Plus, we'll provide essential questions you should be asking to determine the relevance of new technologies to your business, which ones to invest in, and whether your team has the skills to effectively implement and use them.

Leverage Industry-Specific Newsletters and Blogs

One effective way to stay current on technological advancements is to subscribe to industry-specific newsletters and blogs. These curated resources can provide insights on emerging technologies, their potential impacts, and how they may be relevant to your business. Make sure to choose reputable sources to ensure the information you receive is accurate and up-to-date.

Key Questions:

  • What are the reputable sources for news and insights in my industry?
  • How often should I be checking these resources to stay current on technological advancements?

Examples:

  • Retail/eCommerce
    • Retail Dive
    • Digital Commerce 360
    • Retail TouchPoints
  • Finance and Banking
    • Financial Times
    • The Wall Street Journal
    • The Banker
  • Human Resources and Talent Management
    • Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM)
    • TLNT
    • HR Exchange Network
  • Healthcare
    • Modern Healthcare
    • Healthcare IT News
    • Healthcare Finance News
  • Manufacturing and Supply Chain
    • Manufacturing.net
    • IndustryWeek
    • Supply Chain Dive
  • Marketing and Advertising
    • Ad Age
    • Adweek
    • MarketingProfs
  • Media and Entertainment
    • The Hollywood Reporter
    • Variety
    • Deadline
  • Energy and Utilities
    • Utility Dive
    • Greentech Media
    • U.S. Department of Energy
  • Transportation and Logistics
    • Transport Topics
    • Journal of Commerce
    • Supply & Demand Chain Executive
  • Technology
    • Wired
    • TechCrunch
    • The Verge

Attend Webinars and Conferences

Webinars and conferences offer invaluable opportunities to learn about the latest technologies from experts in the field. By attending these events, you can gather insights on trends, ask questions, and network with other professionals. Look for online and in-person events that focus on your industry or the specific technologies you're interested in.

Key Questions:

  • Which webinars and conferences are most relevant to my industry or the technologies I'm interested in?
  • How can I prioritize attending these events without negatively impacting my daily responsibilities?

Examples:

  • Retail/eCommerce
    • Retail's Digital Summit
    • eTail Virtual Summit & Expo
  • Finance and Banking
    • Money20/20 USA
    • Sibos
  • Human Resources and Talent Management
    • SHRM Annual Conference & Expo
    • HCI's Strategic Talent Acquisition Conference
  • Healthcare
    • HIMSS Global Health Conference & Exhibition
    • ATA2023 Conference & Expo
  • Manufacturing and Supply Chain
    • ProMatDX
    • The International Manufacturing Technology Show
  • Marketing and Advertising
    • AdExchanger's Programmatic I/O
    • ANA Masters of Marketing Conference
  • Media and Entertainment
    • NAB Show
    • New York Media Festival
  • Energy and Utilities
    • POWERGEN International
    • DistribuTECH International
  • Transportation and Logistics
    • CSCMP EDGE Supply Chain Conference & Exhibition
    • FreightWaves LIVE
  • Technology
    • AWS re:Invent
    • Microsoft Ignite

Utilize Social Media and Professional Networking Platforms

Following industry thought leaders, technology experts, and relevant hashtags on social media and professional networking platforms like LinkedIn can help you stay informed about the latest trends and advancements. These platforms often feature discussions, articles, and insights that can provide valuable information without requiring significant time investment.

Key Questions:

  • Who are the key thought leaders and experts in my industry or area of interest?
  • How can I efficiently engage with these individuals and participate in relevant discussions on social media?

Examples:

  • Retail/eCommerce
    • Angela Ahrendts
    • Jack Ma
  • Finance and Banking
    • Chamath Palihapitiya
    • Ray Dalio
  • Human Resources and Talent Management
    • Josh Bersin
    • Laszlo Bock
  • Healthcare
    • Atul Gawande
    • Eric Topol
  • Manufacturing and Supply Chain
    • Rodney Brooks
    • Mary Barra
  • Marketing and Advertising
    • Seth Godin
    • Ann Handley
  • Media and Entertainment
    • Reed Hastings
    • Shonda Rhimes
  • Energy and Utilities
    • David Crane
    • Fatih Birol
  • Transportation and Logistics
    • Peter Diamandis
    • Frederick W. Smith
  • Technology
    • Satya Nadella
    • Tim Cook

Implement Regular Team Meetings and Training

Schedule regular team meetings to discuss new technologies and their potential impacts on your business. Encourage your team members to stay informed and share their findings. This can help distribute the research workload and ensure everyone stays up-to-date. Additionally, invest in ongoing training to ensure your team has the necessary skills to implement and use new technologies effectively.

Key Questions:

  • How can I create a culture of continuous learning and information-sharing within my team?
  • What training resources are available to help my team stay current and develop the necessary skills to effectively implement new technologies?

Staying up-to-date with technological advancements doesn't have to be an overwhelming task. By leveraging industry-specific resources, attending webinars and conferences, engaging on social media, and fostering a culture of continuous learning within your team, you can stay informed without dedicating an exorbitant amount of time to research.