When businesses set up their IT infrastructure, they usually follow the same tiring formula:
Pick a system or software they think is best.
Install and configure it.
Expect employees to just figure it out.
Sound familiar? That’s the standard approach – and it’s completely backward.
As someone who’s spent years working in IT, I’ve seen this happen repeatedly. But that’s not how it should work.
Technology should serve people, not the other way around.
In my experience, technology isn’t there to replace or force employees to change their ways; it’s there to help them do their jobs better. The reality is that most businesses get it wrong by treating technology as the priority and assuming that people can adapt to it.
But what if we flipped the script?
What if IT setups started with the people who use the systems every day? How would that change efficiency, adoption, and overall business success?
Let’s find out why a people-first approach to IT is the smarter, more effective way forward.
Why do businesses get TECH so wrong
Now, you might be thinking, “But Jack, doesn’t stability in tech matter more than the people who use it?” I get it. The logic behind this thinking is: people can come and go, but tech needs to be stable – that sounds reasonable.
But trust me, it doesn’t work out that way in practice. Here’s what usually happens:
Staff frustration surges when employees are forced to adapt to tech setups that don’t match their needs or skills.
Productivity drops because people avoid using systems they don’t understand or feel comfortable with.
Money is wasted on IT investments that employees don’t even fully utilize.
The biggest IT mistake I see? People are treated as an afterthought. The tech is prioritized, and the human side of things gets pushed aside – that’s where everything starts to fall apart.
The people-first approach: start with users, then build the tech
So, here’s how it should work: IT setups should always start with the people who will actually use the technology.
I always tell my clients, "Before we even talk about tech, let’s talk about your people."
get to know their pain points,
understand what will make their workdays easier,
focus on them first, and
choose the right tools that will solve their problems.
It’s all about creating a solution that’s designed
around the people who will be using it.
That’s the key to productivity and success.
Because I believe more than ever, people desire human interaction. When IT setups ignore this and force employees into rigid systems, frustration builds, engagement drops, and businesses lose out on the very thing that makes them successful – their people.
Case Study: A real-world business that got it right
Let me tell you about a client I worked with.
They were upgrading their systems and planning to roll out some new software. Instead of just setting it up and walking away, I asked them one simple question: “What are the top 10 things your staff will struggle with tomorrow?”
It sounds like a small question, but it made all the difference. By asking that, we identified potential roadblocks before they became real frustrations.
You know what happened?
Resistance dropped because the team felt involved in the process.
Adoption was smoother because the staff had the chance to learn about tech in a way that made sense to them.
Staff morale improved, and they felt confident using the new system.
In the end, it wasn’t just about installing new software –
it was about making sure the tech worked for the people
who needed to use it every day.
What happens when you put people first in IT?
Think about it – when employees are forced to adapt to tech that doesn’t align with how they work, they resist it. They find workarounds, avoid using it, or feel like the system is working against them.
But when you put people first in your IT strategy, everything changes.
The benefits of a people-first approach are immediate:
Less staff frustration: When the tech makes sense to the people using it, they’re more likely to engage and feel supported.
Stronger adoption of technology: Employees use tools they understand, which leads to fewer issues and more positive feedback.
Better business efficiency: When your tech works for the team, it makes everything run smoother, faster, and more effectively.
This approach is a no-brainer. When your people are empowered by the right tools, they can do what they do best – even better – and your business runs like a well-oiled machine.
The missing factor in your IT strategy
If you’re struggling with resistance to new tech or frustrated employees, it’s time to ask yourself one thing: “What’s the missing factor in our technology strategy?”
The answer isn’t the latest software. It’s not more automation. The real answer is people.
When your IT is built with people in mind, businesses see real, measurable improvements. This isn’t just about upgrading your systems or adding new software. It’s about aligning technology with the people who need it most.
In the end, it's not about technology for technology's sake.
IT should always be about helping your team work smarter
and achieve their best results.
If you’re noticing that your employees aren’t fully embracing the tech you’ve put in place, it’s time to rethink your strategy.
It’s time to put people first.
Noticing tech resistance in your team? Let’s talk.
At Motion 3 Technology, I work hands-on with businesses to make sure their technology works for their people – not against them. That means going beyond just technical evaluations. I look at how your team interacts with the tools they use daily, identifying gaps, frustrations, and opportunities to make things better.
If your current tech setup isn’t hitting the mark, let’s chat about how we can turn it around – so your systems work for your team, not the other way around.