Do you remember when you first heard about those crazy new things called “websites” and other commercial uses for the Internet? Did you scratch your head and question “Why bother?” like most of us, or were you perhaps part of the minority who really saw the potential and seized the opportunity? Unfortunately, most of us fall into the former category and regret not taking advantage of the early opportunities that could have turned into multi-million dollar ideas.
With the frequency of new Internet developments and applications sprouting-up around the Web it’s easy to become overwhelmed and dismissive of new technology for having little apparent usefulness, thus missing opportunities and continuing the cycle of regret. Who can blame us, though? After all, we only have so much time in our days, so we must continually decide where that time is most valuably spent. Every new development can seem like more of a burden than a benefit. The common underlying theme in our assessment is the fundamental technology question: Just because I can, why would I want to?
So how do we not become so desensitized by the mass of new information flooding out of cyberspace that we may overlook useful, beneficial and potentially lucrative new developments? Here are some of my top recommendations:
1) The most challenging step, I find, is controlling my initial tendency to poo-poo a new development. It’s easy to see the flaws in something early in its evolution and never give it a fair evaluation. Try to make a conscious effort to break the habit of automatically dismissing something new.
2) Imagine the new technology is already popular and everyone is using it. In your mind, try to see how the masses are effectively utilizing the new technology and imagine how you could use it to your advantage too. Remember, even if it’s not popular today, it may be tomorrow!
3) Think ahead! Imagine how the new development may benefit you a year from now.
4) Discuss possible uses for the new technology among business partners, peers, or online through social networks and discussion forums.
5) Adjust your mindset to that of overusing technology. If it doesn’t benefit your business the way you hoped, you’re never locked-in to using it.
6) If you’re unsure, consult with a knowledgeable Internet business expert who may have greater insight as to how a new development may benefit your business.
By utilize emerging technology for your business you will hopefully find yourself saying “I’m glad I did!” rather than “I wish I had.”
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