With the never-ending changes in the tech world, the latest modern, intelligent technologies continue to grow, further pushing the importance of digital transformation.
According to Klaus Schwab, the “Fourth Industrial Revolution” is said to be upon us. The concept refers to how innovations like Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the internet became increasingly involved in human life, blurring the lines between the two.
The abundance of digital solutions available could be seen to be spoiling decision-makers with choice, but having too many options often causes decision paralysis. How do you know what software or plug-ins suit you and your business?
There are many factors to consider, including likeability, flexibility and the investment required when choosing the right digital solution. In this article, we discuss the concept of decision paralysis and how to overcome it.
What is decision or choice paralysis?
Psychologist and author Barry Schwartz is well-known for his work on the paradox of choice – deducing to having an abundance of alternatives to the point one feels trapped and even more paralysed instead of freer. Having way too many options can cause confusion, anxiety and regret.
All business decisions require effort, but decisions that involve heavier investments or cause grander changes weigh more; hence decision paralysis takes effect. Just the thought of a simple digital transformation can be daunting – especially with more prominent companies that are so accustomed to a particular way of operating that switching to a fully remote or digital workflow may scare off bosses and employees too.
Nevertheless, the digital age is upon us, and many companies will start to lose out if they’re not, at the very least, looking in the direction of a digital revamp.
Ways to overcome decision or choice paralysis
Prioritise your decisions
More often than not, managers are faced with multiple important decisions simultaneously, which can magnify the impact of decision paralysis on individuals. Start by listing everything that needs to be decided on, then reorganise the list according to priority.
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While it (usually) may seem necessary, you can’t solve everything at once, and prioritising tasks will make it easier to know where to start. It may also help to input specific criteria with each decision; you’ll see more about what it takes to make that decision. Include a timeline, standards, and other essential factors to consider when making this decision.
Simplify the process
Once you’ve weeded out your top decisions to be made, you can now simplify the process by breaking it down into smaller, more digestible steps. It is easy to procrastinate or get scared when looking at a big chunk of incomplete tasks and breaking the decision-making process into smaller steps.
Almost like a maths equation, start by taking important factors like criteria and timelines, and lay them out in front of you. Slowly work from there by breaking down each step you can take to develop a resolution. For example, if you’re picking between software, list the pros and cons of each and how they can benefit or burden your company.
If you’re deciding on whether something is right for your business, list what your company needs and compare that with a list of what the software provides to determine if it suits your business needs.
Get qualified help and support
Of course, as much decision-making work can be accomplished on our own, sometimes getting help from a third party is helpful. Being involved in a company may make it harder to see the bigger picture, and getting qualified help can provide new and different perspectives on your decision-making process, making the process smoother.
Some of these practitioners are so used to making decisions daily that they can immediately see everything laid out and swiftly point out the best decisions. Suppose you find yourself in a position where you could use a little extra help determining the next steps for your business.
In conclusion
Incorporating digital changes or tech advancements into a business should be at the top of your to-do list, although we understand it’s never easy.
Such tech advancements aid in many areas, such as productivity, organisation, workflow and so on, and overlooking this may bring about more issues in the long run. Every leader should seek to simplify their employees’ tasks and jobs to give them more room to breathe and learn.
Employees should not be treated like cogs in a well-oiled machine, and today’s employees should be given more attention and care. Switching to automated digital platforms can boost workflows tremendously, and there’s no better time to start than now.
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