Analysis Of "Technology Alone Won'T Change The World"

Summary

Kentaro Toyama who studied Computer Science and earned a PHD, who from his own view is a “recovering technoholic”. And what is that? Well It is someone that used to consider technology as supreme solution to any issues and challenges specially to an organization. Kentaro advocates that the greater technological integration the, the more a human touch is significant to compliment and work towards a resolution. From the article “Technology Alone Won’t Change the World”, Kentaro has answered the publisher Strategy and Business with questions that challenges technology and a business’s dependence to it. First highlight question was about what organizations and business are missing out on integrating technology and human touch? As per Kentaro, we have to compare technology to an automobile’s machine. It’s as if we have become so hooked in making the machine to be fast and furious without really understanding where the destination will be.

For Cars it might be a rationale, but it is a totally different arena for organizations/businesses. This is evident nowadays in the ideology that technology can pave way for greater positive connection among us. Second question is about how technology can be of better utility for businesses. And another perspective by Kentaro is the idea that technology magnifies whatever what exist and that applies to businesses as well. Let’s take for example, Bill Gates who once said somewhere along the lines, “Technology utilized in a business and applied to an already dynamic process will produce higher efficiency. On the other hand, Technology applied to process that lacks dynamics and efficiency will consequently produce lower efficiency and worst no efficiency at all.”Another question address by Kentaro is whether it is rationally correct to consider that technology can take over human soft skills and interpersonal as well?

And as per Kentaro, speaking from his experience from working as part of research and development in a company, part of their job was to make their research resources available online for the perusal of internal organization audiences. However, the idea of making the resource available online did not meet what they are expecting be an easier way of working, the interest of the internal audience for readily available information of research resources online seems not to be a preference, turns out there are still more people walking in and knocking to their doors asking for resource first hand and face to face. Truly Human touch was not to be ignored on this matter. Over the years, Kentaro had gained a solid perspective that launching a technology process, an organization must not take for granted the interpersonal skills to whoever is the audience and the stakeholder are. So now, with the fast phase development of technology, has this paved way for human interpersonal skills? and as per Kentaro, it is indeed possible. Let’s look into the reality that with the continuous development of technology, a greater output of data has to be analyzed and interpreted.

Kentaro thinks that there is a misconception that a complex in depth datum is there to streamline decisions and results. What it really is, is that the bigger data we have becomes a hazard, we will be keener to rationalize anything as a truth just because there appear to be more of data points underneath it. Big complex data should not blind us to believe everything is the fact. That being said. It now depends on what we can usually consider critical thinking, with a level of certainty on strategical skepticism as humans. Which is why there are now jobs designs such as data scientist, data analyst and data interpreter. Moreover, there are now available studies and degrees that specialized on the said rising job need and it is to be projected to become of higher need in the workforce in the near future.

Lastly, another challenge address by Kentrao is whether it is worth for companies or organization to adapt a “technology fasting”? Yes, its funny that we have become to dependent to technology that these ideologies are developing but Kentaro believes it might be something of value for a trial in an organization. However, it should be implemented strategically, like fasting for those process that are not a threat to business continuity if technology is put to rest for a reasonable amount of time. Kentaro believes that through these people would realize that technology after all is not a solution to everything. Simple example would be switching more face-to-face interaction rather than emails and communicator applications, thus promoting open communication real socialization. Bottomline, the best thing is to find the balance of using of technology and accept that it will be a staple to almost everything and not answer to almost everything. Furthermore, not to assume that technology can replace human skills.

Reflection

Reading about the article and seeing a perspective as such by Kentaro towards technology, technology’s benefits and threats to human touch and interpersonal skills is not a new idea yet it still a challenge to grasp in so many levels personally. While its given that technology indeed does make our lives easier, it bothers me to think that technology has enabled us in so many ways and that without it, most of us would feel disabled and inefficient. It’s almost we have surrendered our human greatness from technology. If I’m about to consider technology fasting, I really have to think strategically where I do not make myself inefficient just for the sake of trying it. And on top of my head, one of the ways I can embody technology fasting is to take a rest from using communicator tools raging from phone and skype business chats.

Its is something that actually might work. Instead of reaching out and sending messages, it maybe more efficient and comprehensible to actually talk face to face with m colleagues where get to get information straight and more personal. Adding that Human touch. Also, I have a greater appreciation for the Boomers who may be struggling now when it comes with digitalization but are able to succeed and have become knowledgeable on their skills and professional with less sophisticated tools and technology during their entry level stages. Ultimately, I think we can learn from each other (Boomers and Millennials ) and finding that sweet spot as mentioned by Kentaro: Balance of technology and not to eliminate it, but also not to assume that it can replace human skills.

Professional Application

Technology integration plays a big role in my job and also for the Company I work for, Johnson & Johnsons. Just a quick overview, I work under the JNJ HR Global Services. It is part of a broader network of Johnson & Johnson centers that are designed to handle HR for its operating companies. The Business design is so well framed that benefits its employees and stakeholder in many different technological ways. One simple example of technology integration would be the availability of an online one stop shop for JNJ employees where they can browse and download all available

HR policies and related articles for their perusal. This itself has become beneficial to JNJ’s credo to its employees. This promotes transparency and accessibility amongst its employees. Now you would think where the Human touch is on this. I mean you cannot really call it Human resource if its all computers and website. Of course, JNJ would not fail to miss that. Employees who would need more assistance beyond an available article or policy online can still reach out to HR advisors in many ways. It maybe via email, chat, calls and of course a knock on the door. Truly, as seen by Kentaro from the article. It is about the optimal use of technology and not to eliminate it, furthermore not to assume that Technology can replace human skills.

Reference:

1. Alexander, J. (2015). Technology Alone Won’t Change the World. strategy+business, Winter 2015, PP 12-14.