Some people are resistant to change simply because they like familiarity in their day to day lives, and technology has the potential to disrupt how (and how much) they interact with other people. This is no different for the hard-working people in any freight forwarding operation. It’s easy for employers to underestimate the importance some employees place on the relationships they form with their customers, carriers, or other suppliers.
Technology can also automate manual tasks that people take pride in doing. For example, some people may look forward to the process of load planning, but if a new system is put into use that digitizes this task, they no longer have that opportunity available for them.
While carrier selection and route assignments are objectively made better with technology, losing this sense of “usefulness” can be overwhelming for some individuals. Companies need to be aware that new levels of automation could potentially affect an employee’s self-worth and the value they feel they bring to their company.
Digitization may feel like a threat to job security as well. New technology can (and should) become a check and balance on the work and choices employees are making, which could undermine an employee’s authority and autonomy.
Change can be hard for employees of a forwarder when new technology is involved. Here are some tips to help manage a range of internal cultural objections as you look to integrate more automation and technology into your operations.
Ideas for Creating a More Receptive and Less Disruptive Environment:
Starting slow is a good first step. Gradually implementing new technology will help companies have a less disruptive experience. Companies who start with more simple elements allow their workforce to better adjust, so start any logistics technology integration by implementing it in different phases. You can also prepare by planning ahead by ensuring that today’s hiring process brings in the proper skills and expertise required for tomorrow.
The project plan for any forwarder adding a new platform needs to be well thought out and efficiently executed. It’s important to include and support employees throughout these changes. You want to avoid disorganization and resulting frustrations by properly training employees in advance and keeping them thoroughly informed.
If the people most affected by the changes are involved in the decisions for how the new technology is implemented and used, there will be more eager buy-in. Your company should make sure that all of your employees understand what’s at stake and the reasons why the technology is necessary for your business. Every company needs innovation in order to be successful in the long run and prioritizing the acceptance of new platforms and strategies will help the adoption process run more smoothly.
With a work environment that already has a strong foundation for implementing automation, companies will find it much easier to integrate new systems. Few things are more certain than the fact that technology will play an ever-increasing role everywhere in the logistics industry. Forwarders with higher levels of employee engagement with their technology can deliver better service and maintain a competitive edge that leads to more profitability.
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