Is Adoption today's implementation?

When I first started in technology, you needed technical aptitude and were forced to follow the parameters set by the tools. Technology projects were focused on the hardware needs, installation and setup. You needed to follow the implementation plan and then stick to the manuals.

But times have changed, many technology projects require very little technical knowledge and hardly focus on the tools at all. The strategy, process, buy-in, training and organizational change overshadow all of the technology.

The transition from inserting disk A to logging into the cloud, building software to leveraging platforms, hardware constraints to nearly limitless storage, code to config, wired to wireless, heavy tech skills required to consumerized tech, and on and on...   It isn't stopping.

Sidebar soapbox: just cause all this tech is changing doesn't mean tech staff are going away. Wrong. The demand is growing. Tech staff know how to integrate, match to process, innovate, configure, manage, train, drive strategy, select platforms, see the big picture, and on and on... It isn't stopping

Back to my point though. Adoption of technology in an org is now more important than implementing it. It isn't about installing it, it is about getting it understood. It isn't about the tool, it is about how it is used. It isn't about the email, it is about the message.  It isn't about the social media, it is about the conversation.  It isn't about the system, it is about the culture surrounding it. It isn't about functionality, it is about how it serves the mission.

Anyway, I think you get the point. Most technology projects are not about implementing the technology, they are about the organizational change required (ADOPTION!)


Luckily enough, the awesome, smart people over at Exponent Partners (who we worked with to adopt Exponent Case Management on Salesforce) wrote an amazing paper all about the adoption process! And they did it in a way which would be tough to recreate here on my blog. SO GO DOWNLOAD THE ADOPTION RESOURCE!

Then be sure to read this awesome article from Peter Campbell on a very similar topic! 

I did a presentation about this for Dreamforce regarding adoption of Salesforce for The Cara Program. So to have a bit of fun with it, I first did a parody of Bruno Mars Lazy Song.  My video recreation of the song is below along with my presentation.

Driving Organizational Change Dreamforce 2014 (Salesforce) from Steve Heye

Bring Faith to Everyday!

In my college years I strayed from my Faith. I made choices based on my own needs and wants. I became a different person. Eventually I found my way back and my life changed. My life continues to grow in blessings and joy. But I always wonder, what would my life be like if my Faith stayed a part of my life?

I think we all have part of our lives where we stray from our Faith, where we take our focus off of God and choose our own direction.

Now as my oldest kids are taking the next steps in their lives, I see them facing the choice of following their faith or taking their own path. Which makes me wonder, what can we do to better prepare our kids for their future?

When I think about this, I am reminded of countless Church services talking including God and Faith in every part of our lives and making Him the center. But do we help our children do this? Sure we take them to Church on Sunday and maybe even to a church group during the week, but do we encourage them to show their Faith outside of Church?

This is what gets me excited about Leap of Faith Arts Ministries, bringing God and Faith into the
Arts providing another opportunity to weave it into everyday. Allowing the dancers and artists to learn to use their talents to worship. This impact goes beyond the studio walls. Each time a Leap of Faith artist performs, one of dancers talks to their friends or a parent comes to Leap of Faith, an opportunity opens to experience God outside of Church.

The work Leap of Faith is doing is important to me and my family. We have dedicated a lot of our time, resources and talents to this organization because we believe in it.  Would you join us by making a donation to Leap of Faith on this #GivingTuesday?

With a monthly budget of $5,000, even a small donation has a large impact. A $100 donation is 2% of this monthly budget.  Will you join us in this work and bring Faith into the Arts?

You can donate on our website!