Technology has snuck
its way into our lives, influencing everything we do from how we work, how we
communicate, learn and even think. From the birth of the internet, the
smartphone explosion and the rise of artificial intelligence, technology has
transformed our world in remarkable ways. However, this transformation comes
with both positive and negative consequences.
Most recently I had a technology incident that demonstrated both
sides of the technology coin. I truly value the convenience of automating tasks
that were once manual. Using technology not only saves me time but also saves
me money. For example, online bill payments have made my life so much easier. I
enjoy the simplicity of logging into my bank account and directing where my
money should go to settle my bills, eliminating the need to write a check,
prepare an envelope, add a stamp and take a trip to the post office.
Each month, I use bill paying technology provided by my banks to
cover credit card expenses and pay bills. When it comes to credit cards I have
two favorites because of their benefits which often include money back or
points, making every purchase feel a bit more rewarding. The first one is a cashback
rewards card, which offers a generous percentage back on everyday purchases
like groceries and gas. It's a perfect choice for me because I see immediate
returns on my spending. The second is a travel card, also perfect for me since
I love traveling. This card accumulates points for every dollar I spend, which
can be redeemed for flights, hotel stays, and other travel-related expenses.
As usual I schedule bills to be paid on the exact day they are due
and set everything up at the beginning of the month or as soon as I receive the
statement. I appreciate receiving a reminder text from my credit card company
reminding me that I have 3 days left to pay for the statement. I also
appreciate the text that tells me I have paid my bill on time. So imagine my
surprise when I am sitting in church and get a reminder that my payment was not
received.
Since I had done what I was supposed to do so I automatically
assumed having a holiday in the middle of the week caused the delay in payment
processing. Once I thought about it, I realized the delay in receiving my
payment couldn’t have anything to do with the holiday, as it was an electronic
transfer. After investigating, I found that the issue was my mistake. I had inadvertently
paid the wrong credit card! I had
transferred big money to the card with a balance of only $35. Although I had a
significant credit balance on my account, I would now face late fees and
interest on the card with the payment now overdue. What was I going to do? It
was going to take some time and effort to reverse everything and get the money
to the right place. It could take weeks to solve. The blessing of easy bill pay
was now a problem.
As a side note, my husband was with me when I discovered the
problem, so imagine me trying to explain how it happened in the first place and
how to fix my error. The only thing I could think to do was call the credit
card company and ask for grace on the late payment and then call the number on
the other card and request a check for the amount overpaid.
With hubby giving me the side eye, I got my story together to make
the first call. That’s when I remembered
both cards were issued by the same parent company. Surely they could fix it.
Once I explained my error, the kind and knowledgeable customer service agent on
the other end of the phone assured me I was not the first one to make this type
of error. A sense of relief came over me as she explained that it was an easy
fix. In less than two minutes she solved my problem and moved the from one
account to the other. Plus she assured me I would not incur any late fees. What
a blessing! I assure you they have won a customer for life.
In the field of mental health and wellness, technology has the
potential to revolutionize
the way we provide services, manage client information, and communicate with
clients. However, despite the numerous benefits, entrepreneurs are often faced
with numerous challenges stemming from unfriendly technology and limited
support.
As
a former learning and development leader, and an emerging online technology
company/educational institute, I know firsthand the benefits of technology to
fulfill the promise of improved efficiency and enhanced capabilities. However,
I am well aware of the challenges that can arise when a system is not user
friendly or fails to give clients proper support and training. A complicated
system and not having adequate support can turn a good system into a bad one
and turn your experience into a negative one.
1. Feeling
Isolated: Without
adequate support, you might feel isolated and overwhelmed. Navigating complex
systems alone can be daunting, especially when you encounter issues or have
questions. The lack of support can leave you feeling stuck and unable to fully
utilize the technology.
2. Increased
Errors: Without proper
guidance, the likelihood of making errors increases. These errors can lead to
frustration, wasted time, and potentially even impact the quality of your work.
Adequate support is crucial for ensuring that you can use technology
effectively and accurately.
3. Slower
Adoption: The lack of
support can slow down the adoption of new technology. If you don't have the
resources or help needed to learn and integrate new tools, you might resist
using them or not use them to their full potential.
So I
said all that to say, ‘technology has it positives and negatives but the right
system and the right support can make all the difference”. When technology is easy to use and
well-supported, it boosts productivity, reduces your stress, and enhances your
performance. This allows you to focus on your core tasks without being bogged
down by technical difficulties.
1. Steep Learning
Curves: Unfriendly
technology often has steep learning curves. Complex interfaces, hidden
features, and non-intuitive designs can make even simple tasks seem
overwhelming. This can lead to frustration and lost productivity.
2. Increased
Stress: When technology
is difficult to use, it can increase stress levels. Instead of streamlining
your work, it becomes a source of constant irritation. This added stress can distract
you from doing what you do best serving your clients.
3. Reduced
Efficiency: The primary
purpose of adopting new technology is to enhance efficiency. However, if the
system is not user-friendly, it can have the opposite effect. Time spent
figuring out how to use the technology could be better spent on core tasks.
1. User Friendly Technology: As an expert in Learning Management
technology I understand the importance
of intuitive and user-friendly design. That’s why our client learning portal solution
is was developed with the end-user in mind, ensuring that the system is easy to
navigate and use.
2. Ongoing
Support: We offer
robust support to assist you every step of the way. Whether you need help
troubleshooting an issue, understanding a feature, or optimizing your use of
the technology, our support team is readily available. We provide multiple
support channels, including email, and phone support, to ensure you can get the
help you need when you need it.
3. Comprehensive Training Resources:
To help you get the most out of our technology, we provide a wealth of training
resources. This includes detailed user manuals, step-by-step video tutorials,
and interactive webinars. Our goal is to make the learning process as smooth
and efficient as possible. That’s why we are pleased to announce our first six-week
webinar series: "Stress-Free Tech for Mental Health and Wellness Pros:
Six Ways to Create High-Quality Learning Materials with Ease"
Session
1 will teach you how to harness the power of Artificial Intelligence to create
quality learning materials.
You
can register for Session 1 by clicking on the link below:
https://streamyard.com/watch/QSgXEwzH672z
Navigating technology
shouldn’t be a source of frustration. As an online technology company and
educational institute, my mission is to ensure that the ‘Learn it By Heart’
Client Learning Portal technology serves as a valuable asset, enhancing your
professional capabilities. By prioritizing intuitive design, offering extensive
training resources, and providing robust support, we ensure that you can focus
on what you do best—delivering exceptional value to your clients. Together, we
can navigate the world of technology with confidence and ease, achieving
greater success and satisfaction in your professional endeavors.
Blessings,
Dr. Janice R. Love
Founder, Pearls Perfected Institute
pearlsperfectedinstitute.com
