We are in a knowledge industry which evolves at a faster pace compared to any other. It doesn’t take long for a new tech to appear or for an existing one to get phased out. It is important for us to constantly upgrade ourselves in order to stay relevant in a rapidly changing IT world. It is crucial for individuals to continuously learn and adapt in order to stay competitive.
As can be seen in the above figure, the Technology Adoption Life Cycle has a bell curve and the divisions in the curve are roughly equivalent to where standard deviations would fall. We typically work with clients (via TestVagrant) that are on the far left.
Tech Enthusiasts embrace new and innovative technologies. They sometimes even seek them out even before a formal marketing program has been launched. Visionaries are quick to understand the benefits of new technology and gain value by moving more quickly than the rest of the market. They have the insight to match up an emerging technology to a strategic opportunity. Pragmatists are more practically minded, often waiting until products are more proven. They represent a significant segment by volume: one-third of the total available customers; typically our enterprise customers.
A commonality in the far left is a new and innovative technology and unless we constantly upgrade ourselves by engaging in lifelong learning, we can’t satisfy that. While on the job, we can take some formal education, such as short courses or it can be more informal, such as reading blogs/books and articles or attending workshops and seminars. By staying up to date with the latest developments in one’s field and learning new skills, individuals can remain competitive and increase their value to their organizations. Our professional identity is basically dependent on how we approach learning while being occupied with a full-time job.
In addition to staying current in one’s field, it is also important to continually develop soft skills such as communication, teamwork, and time management. These skills are valuable in any job or industry and can help individuals stand out and advance in their careers.
Finally, it is important to be open to change and to be willing to take risks in order to grow and improve. This may involve seeking out new challenges or learning new things outside of one’s comfort zone. By constantly upgrading themselves and being open to change, individuals can not only succeed in their careers but also find personal fulfilment and growth.
A very interesting quote by W. Edwards Deming that highlights the importance of learning and leaving you on this parting note.
“Learning is not compulsory… neither is survival.”
