Technology "Haves" vs. "Have Nots" - What's the difference?

I had breakfast with a colleague this past week and he was telling me all about the amazing wonders of his new iPhone and how he wishes he had bought one sooner.  He was still very new to the technology and admitted feeling very overwhelmed about how much this (simple?) tool was changing how he saw his world.

It got me thinking about the world we work in sometimes feels like there are people who are "in the know" about technology - the technology "Haves".  Then there are people like my friend where the technology is very overwhelming and they don't feel quite comfortable with what they are doing - the technology "Have Nots".  We generally know what world we live in... but do we really?

Even as a technology professional, I often feel like I am a technology "Have Not" because there is SO much out there TO know.  The more we learn, the more there is to know and overwhelm us.  I've learned a great trick over the years that makes me feel better EVERY time and it is the simple truth that you have to "get comfortable with uncomfortable" in regards to technology.  There is ALWAYS going to be more to learn and more to go deeper into with any technology you start to learn about.  The other idea I find very helpful is that there is no time limit or 'race' to learn and absorb all this stuff.  Whatever works for you at your own pace is perfectly the right way to go.  Of course, the more you know, the easier it gets and the faster the learning becomes... then technology really starts to be 'fun'.  It might take a while to get there, but believe me, it happens.

So this brings me to my top 3 revelations on how to be a Technology 'Have'

1) Dive In.  -- There is never a better time to start learning about technology and all the benefits it has to offer.  This is true of companies as well as individuals.  Many of us are wary of putting in newer technologies in our companies because we're comfortable with what we know... OR we don't even know what's out there to help us.  The reality is that there has never been so much available to us for so little (often FREE) and has tremendous benefits to those that use them.

2) Invest in Continuous Improvement -- My manufacturing clients talk at length about 'continuous improvement' in operations, but why not in technology?  Technology moves fast and while you will never use everything you see and hear, it pays to be knowledgeable about what's out there so you can decide what would work for you and your company.  This is definitely an investment in your time and energy, but SO worth it.  Publications like 'Wired' magazine are a great resource for these newest trends out there.

3) Reach Out -- The technology community (local, regional, or national) is a great wealth of knowledge on what the latest and greatest tech can do for small business.  As a tech pro myself, I know that I will NEVER know all there is to know about a certain field and I constantly reach out to other pros to share ideas, advice, and just plain get some better understanding.  I think many of us have this feeling that we want to do (or learn) it all by ourselves, but really, no-one gets a medal for doing that!  Your local chamber or technology group is a GREAT resource and I highly encourage you to attend their meetings and reach out to them for what you want to know.

-- Jason