I'm a technologist who is often an "early adopter," but even I get behind on using technology. Modern tech changes so fast it is easy to get behind.

The concept of the adoption lifecycle is used in entrepreneur/business circles to help us understand the who, how, when, and why groups of people will try new tech. It defines these groups as...

• Innovators: The first individuals to adopt a new product or technology. They are willing to take risks and try out new things.
• Early adopters: This group follows the innovators and comprises individuals willing to take risks but more practical in their approach.
• Early majority: This group is more cautious and waits until a product or technology has been tried and tested before adopting it.
• Late majority: This group tends to adopt a product or technology only after it has become mainstream.
• Laggards: These are the last individuals to adopt a new product or technology, often only doing so when they have no choice.

When you think of your business (or personal) technology use, what is your "typical" mode of operation? Were you among the first to move from a flip phone to an iPhone? Must you have all the tech features in your car or do you still prefer roll-up windows? Do you like to use business software in the form of webapps in the cloud, or like the dependable installed software on your local device?

Being cautious when jumping into new tech can be wise. Trying new tools can be a distraction if they do not provide strategic benefits. But other times, delaying exploring new tech because you fear it is distracting you — or any other reason — can cost you lost opportunity, market position, and money.

So, next time you hear about some new tech you can leverage in your business (or life), consider your mindset about it. Where on the "adoption lifecycle" are you regarding that opportunity? Why and... are you sure?

Yours in tech...

—Joshua