When adoption is not about the technology

The (Apple) App Store turned 12 this month. That’s about 84 in tech years. Yet we’re only beginning to tap one of the greatest areas of potential.

Healthcare and technology are a match made in heaven. Always have been—just ask anyone who had dental care in the 1970s—yet the potential is still far ahead of what we’re actually achieving.

The primary reason is widespread concern around the mysteries of information security—specifically, the way our own personal medical information is protected. Much of this concern is based on misinformation, but you might need a PhD in cybersecurity to appreciate that.

Much better to have an easy explanation.

That’s why it’s heartening to see the adoption of contact tracing technology in a number of countries. The design offers the best approach to addressing privacy concerns—you control your data. It’s anonymous, won’t be shared without your consent, and can meet it’s intended purpose—to dramatically reduce infection risk for all users—within these constraints.

As with every recent development, it’s early days, but the early signs are that this approach has overcome the security concerns of a large portion of the population.

As in many cases, the technology is quite simple. But adoption is another matter.

Why is your tech solution not being adopted?

Have you ever launched a new product/ technology/ idea to the sound of crickets?

Take a walk in the shoes of your intended customer and think about any objections they may have had.

What could happen if you added (or removed) a feature to overcome their biggest objection? Or if you address the concern in the simplest possible way?

Bulletin

Read more about bringing ideas to life in my Enterprisers article here.

Enjoyed my recent interview with Janeane Bernstein—watch/ listen here.

Trusting Technology is a book about forming ideas, exploring opportunities with customers and colleagues, and building your future together. Order your copy here.