As we know, technology is constantly changing and evolving. New technologies are being integrated into our lives at lightning speed. This includes business use of technology, which has gone beyond just having a smartphone with you at all times.
Nowadays, every industry can’t survive without a good amount of technological savvy. From keeping in touch via chat apps to making sure everything is computerized as much as possible, businesses depend heavily on advanced software.
It is important to note that using tech effectively takes time to hone your skills. However, once you do, you will see the benefits it brings to your career and life.
Here are some examples of how different industries have incorporated tech into their daily routines.
Definition of technology
What is technology? Technically, that’s not very much of a definition. According to Merriam-Webster, technology is “the knowledge or practice of engineering principles; also the instruments, devices, and equipment used for such work.”
So what does that mean then? Technology can be thought of as tools, gadgets, and techniques designed to make things easier, more efficient, or better.
Technology has constantly evolved over time, and today we have advanced technologies like smartphones, laptops, and desktop computers which create an ever-growing pool of technological resources. These powerful tools are readily accessible to just about anyone these days – even people with no formal education.
Businesses in every field rely heavily on technology to function properly. For example, engineers use technology to design new products, marketers utilize it to advertise brands, and accountants depend on it to keep track of financial information.
This article will discuss some ways that technology impacts business — from how tech companies earn money to why having a mobile device is becoming a must for professionals.
Definition of impact of technology on business
What is it that makes technology have such an influential effect on businesses? It’s not just because companies use technology to do things like organize, manage, and control their operations, or facilitate communication, nor are they influenced by technological advances for how to run their affairs.
It’s also due to the way that technology changes what kind of products and services people want. By offering them faster, more efficient ways to get the same thing done, it encourages consumption.
Consumption being the opposite of conservation, this can be negative if individuals down-regulate spending in order to preserve resources. For example, before smartphones were widely available, people tended to rely more heavily upon mobile phones that allowed them to access information quickly.
Now, with every person having a smartphone, people feel less need to invest in landline telephones or cell phone plans that offer fewer features. In fact, some experts believe we’ve already reached “peak telephone” as people stop investing in landlines altogether.
How technology changes the way we work
We’ve discussed how new technologies are changing the way businesses operate, but what about the ways in to those technologies? What types of skills needed for efficiency with these tools?
As companies adopt new tech products, there is always an initial stage where professionals with various technical expertise are needed to use and integrate the product into the company’s workflow. This includes things like finding tutorials, setting up accounts, learning the software interface, and so forth.
These services and apps usually have grace periods before they charge monthly fees, which helps facilitate this transition (more on that next!).
This is especially true for ones that advertise themselves as free or even open source – paid versions eventually arise due to demand and usage!
But what about people who are already using a service and paying a subscription fee, and now it becomes free? Or what if someone creates their own version or app that others can access?
There may be no easy solutions for them, unless you’re very knowledgeable in the area they’re working in.
How technology changes the way we communicate
Over the last decade, there has been an explosion in communication tools. You can now send messages through text, voice, video, and even chat apps. This is very different from the early years of the internet when people would talk about it being “the web” that people used to connect with each other.
These newer forms of communication are seen as less formal than talking on the phone or sending letters, but they offer more flexibility. For example, you can easily switch between chatting via WhatsApp, Skype, or FaceTime while still keeping your conversation casual.
Businesses have taken advantage of this by offering employees mobile phones so they do not need to be connected at their desks. This helps reduce overhead costs for business owners since you do not need dedicated office space or equipment for them.
How technology changes how we experience art
Technically, creating music is done through using instruments or writing down notes and combinations of notes to make up songs. Instruments can be anything from a piano to a violin to a guitar to a drum set.
Writing down notes is called composing. People have been doing it for centuries! Some say that Mozart wrote his first few pieces when he was five years old, making him nine at the time he composed his first song. He went onto become one of the most well-known composers in history.
Music has always used tools to help create it, but as technology advances, new ways to do it are coming about. Computers now have software that helps you write your own music!
This is called computer music or algorithmic music. Rather than having someone program a piece into a instrument, computers process what instrument something sounds like and creates its own music based off of that.
How technology changes how we exercise
More and more people are choosing to take fitness into their own hands by engaging in various types of cardio exercises and weight training routines. There are now many ways to get your workout on, from using your feet as machines to taking part in team sports or yoga.
In fact, according to an article published this year, over seventy-five percent of Americans aged twenty and up spend at least two hours per week engaged in some sort of activity that can be characterized as “moderate” intensity.1 This is around ten minutes per day for each person!
That’s not bad when you consider that one study found that just thirty minutes of moderate intensity activity every other day was enough to reduce diabetes risk2.
So why aren’t we all walking down the street doing something active? Well, aside from lack of time, cost is another factor.
Finding affordable health facilities with trained professionals that offer classes and personal trainers has become increasingly accessible due to the availability of online resources and social media.
By utilizing these tools, it is easy to find out about different fitness programs and what services they provide. It also helps to connect with likeminded individuals who may be able to help you achieve your goals.
Overall, staying fit no matter whether you are spending money on expensive gyms or investing in your home gym equipment is a worthy investment.
How technology changes how we date
We’ve all seen it before: A romantic scene with two people, surrounded by lots of flashy lights and music.
Then comes the inevitable “snap-out-of-it” moment when one person says or does something that is very out-of-the-blue and unexpected.
It can be difficult to process what just happened, and even more difficult to determine if you like this new information or not.
This is the effect that digital technology has on us as individuals. It makes us feel anxious, stressed, and overwhelmed due to its speed.
The same thing happens when couples use technology for their relationship.
At first, everything seems fine. Then suddenly there are comments about other people, pictures of different things, and questions being asked.
This is why most relationships become endgames at around six months.
How technology changes what we eat
We are constantly exposed to new food products, trends, and diets that influence how we feed ourselves and others. With every new exposure, your body has to process this information in order to know what is nutritional value and which foods should be limited or even avoided completely.
As you read above, digital literacy is an increasingly important skill for professionals of all levels. If you’re reading this article online, you have already achieved this!
But there is another area where technology can make a positive impact: nutrition. Nutritionists must remain up-to-date with current research about healthy eating, but they also need access to adequate resources and tools to help them achieve their goal.
That’s why I’d like to talk more specifically about one small aspect of health – our diet. Specifically, how technology impacts business strategies around nutritious eating.
