Introducing any new technology comes with risks. How do you proceed when you think a new tech tool will help your practice, but you need to minimize the potential for problems?
What you need is a proven strategy to test any new tech tools you implement at your firm.
Then, you need to convince the decision-makers at your firm that introducing this new tech is the best move. That can be even more of a challenge, especially if your partners are highly risk-averse and unfamiliar with modern technology.
This guide will help with both of those things.
How do you assess the risks of adopting new tech?
There are always some risks when adopting new technology, even if they’re minor.
How do you know which perceived risks of tech adoption are reasonable, and which are simply unfounded fears?
The most common risks to consider
Some downsides are universal.
For example, any new tech tool will require some initial time investment for setup, training, and getting your team to adjust their habits.
The initial onboarding effort could be anywhere from a minor inconvenience to a massive, months-long project depending on the type of technology you want to implement. Most tech tools try to be as easy to adopt as possible, but even so, there’s usually a short ramp-up period before you start seeing the results you want.
There’s also a risk that others on your team will simply refuse to use the new software. That leaves you paying for something without seeing any benefit.
Another potential risk is that your new tech tool will not be compatible with your firm’s existing technology. It’s always wise to look for integrations for your existing core software first, especially when you use a case management system.
Other risk factors
Cybersecurity is a top concern when implementing new tech solutions.
Purchasing from reputable companies generally keeps your security risks low, but in the legal industry, it’s wise to ask questions about security features before you make a purchase.
This is especially true when you’re shopping for AI-powered tools that aren’t made specifically for legal applications. Artificial intelligence tools are often trained on the data that customers analyze. As a legal provider, you should be wary of how your AI tools use your secure client information.
Outside of security risks, your biggest concerns should be wasting time and/or money on solutions that don’t do what you need them to do.
Too often, the way software is marketed does not accurately tell you the way it works. It’s always a good idea to choose pay-per-use tools, get a real product demo, try a free version, or take full advantage of a free trial before you commit to a new system.
Test new tech to reduce or eliminate risks
#1: Research
Research is your first line of defense.
The software’s website should give you most of the answers you need, including:
- Does this tool do what you need it to do?
- What kind of security measures are in place?
- How much will this cost, and how often will you be billed?
- Is this tool compatible with your existing software?
From there, check third party reviews to get a sense of the company’s reputation and ability to deliver on their promises.
If you’ve never heard of the company before, you might also check with the Better Business Bureau or similar organizations to make sure you’re dealing with a legitimate business.
#2: Lean on their sales team
Software companies often have live salespeople to answer your questions while you shop. Take advantage of this! It’s much easier to ask specific questions to a real person than it is to find the answer yourself on a generic marketing website.
Ask about the data migration process, too, as this is an area that often poses difficulties.
Most companies will schedule a live demo so you can see how things work in action.
During this demo, ask about specific use cases and ask the salesperson to walk you through any processes you’re likely to do day-to-day. This will show you right away whether a tool accomplishes what you need and is easy enough that you’ll actually use it.
When you’re ready to try it yourself, your salesperson will walk you through any technical setup pieces and help you connect other users in your firm.
Dive in and try the tool yourself as quickly as possible so you can spot potential issues while you’ve still got an invested helper. You’ll discover right away whether this software is going to help you solve a problem or become an expensive time waster.
#3: Book training for your whole firm
When considering the time investment of this new software, ask about their estimated timeline for onboarding and proficiency. Ensure the company provides training and offers readily available support.
Once you’ve confirmed that this is a good tool for your firm, you can minimize business disruption and expenses by booking team trainings right away.
The longer it takes you to make the transition, the more expensive it is to manage that change and the more likely you are to experience problems with missing information or communication breakdowns. Your software provider can help, but it’s ultimately up to you to lead your team in the new process.
How can you sway hesitant decision-makers at your firm?
Despite the ability to test new tech before your firm commits to permanent implementation, you may still face hesitation.
Attorneys tend to be a risk-averse group, and the decision-makers at your firm may simply be resistant. How can you deal with this issue?
Start by finding someone else to help champion your cause. It could be a partner, a rainmaker attorney, or the paralegal your team can’t live without. Show them the benefits of this new tool and ask for their help making the case.
You may also benefit from some one-on-one meetings with key decision-makers.
Each individual likely has different concerns about new technology, but they may feel reluctant to voice those concerns in a group setting. Once you identify their specific concerns, you can work to alleviate them and point out how the technology will help the firm overall.
This is another place where you can lean on the salesperson. They would love to talk to the other decision-makers at your firm to address their individual concerns.
The bottom line is that there’s a little bit of risk in every decision your firm makes.
Choosing a new software tool doesn’t have to be that risky. Do your due diligence, and the most likely outcome is that your tech purchase will be a positive change.
