The past two years have provided some extreme dynamics for technology and innovation.
Business and industries were shaken up and some were forced to adapt to digitization faster than planned.
2021 was the year to refine goals and adapt to a new reality.
However, 2022 has the potential to become a year of even bigger changes.
When experts discussfast-growing trends in technology, eCommerce is one of the leading examples.
No surprise there, were talking about an industry with a tremendous growth history.
Not to mention its ability to adapt to challenges (and world-wide pandemics) is faster than the wind.
These are industries with long histories and a workforce which is often less tech savvy than in emerging industries.
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Theres now high demand for user-friendly tools that can help less tech savvy users adopt change quickly.
But how do you go aboutdesigning techtools for these industries?
Can we use the same processes?
A McKinseyreportexpanded on the effect that unfinished learning can have on students.
It also notes how technology could provide the boost the education system needs to bridge the gap.
For him, having an open mindset to EdTech and new methods, can move the adoption cycle faster.
But how can you help your users develop an open mindset to new tech?
An insider-tip he shared was to focus on terminology.
You should invest time into explaining your product using their vocabulary.
What if youre already on your 2.0 version?
Optimization is an always-on approach.
Have an outstanding customer service experience
This is strongly connected to the previous point.
It seems simple, yet it has a domino effect.
When you keep polishing and tweaking your product, users will have different interaction points with it.
Some can adapt to it fast, some can get confused.
Ewoud explained:
Our support team saved us several times!
When you guide your user properly and help with their problems, you create a supporter and a follower.
The demand for new technology in the industry is exceptional.
In the past two years, RoomRaccoon grew its team by 210%.
Thus, one of the key factors for designing your tool is user experience and motivation.
RoomRaccoonis a platform that helps hotels automatically optimize their rates according to room-sell-probability in real-time.
Beyond this, it also offers a solution to automatically upsell room upgrades and extras to guests.
Their aim is to activate their users, while keeping human interaction alive.
Localization plays a huge role in this.
During the pandemic, the hotel industry faced major changes in dynamics.
Challenges like this can be seen as opportunities to re-prioritize.
Additionally, gamification became a new trend in customer experience and employee engagement.
Keep on communicating with your teams, set your priorities and respond to new events in the industry.
During the pandemic, social distancing protocols forced many industries to replace human contact with technology.
In the hospitality industry, this meant contactless check-ins.
There will always be a need for human interaction.
First and foremost, as van Dyl explained, technology should be considered as enrichment, instead of replacement.
There you have it, with these five insider tips its time to go forth and build your products.
Keep an eye on whats happening in the industry and transform it into an opportunity.
Finally, dont forget the human factor.
