Technology: It’s not for wimps! ~ Scott Adams, Creator of Cartoon Dilbert

“Technology sucks! I’m a relationship guy,” were the words a salesperson mumbled to me at a recent meeting. The more he spoke, the more I thought that this fella was the Grand Wizard of the Anti-Geek Squad. But I knew exactly why he felt this way…because technology scared him!

But the reality is that anyone can become tech savvy. How do I know? Because I did! But it didn’t come easily. I punched my PDA, crushed my CRM tool, exploded over an Excel spreadsheet, and butchered countless PowerPoint presentations before “it” hit. And when I finally saw the “techno-light,” I felt the sudden urge to put masking tape around the center of my sunglasses. Through my geek goggles, I finally realized that if I could use these techno tools effectively, they would NOT distance me from the people I serve. In fact, I came to understand that technology just might help me serve them in ways I didn’t believe were possible.

For instance…is investing in and learning to use a CRM tool tough for businesses and salespeople? (Customer Relationship Management for you nongeeks)  Sure…it could be. But on the other side of that pain are more customers, more orders and more profits. And yet, too many business owners and salespeople take the “I need to spend more time with customers and less time on the computer” approach.

I don’t buy it! I believe that if you commit to better understanding how technology can help you, you will then spend less time trying to figure it out and more time serving others.

So this week, think of that one piece of technology you loathe and “make up” with it. Stop fighting, give it a second chance and commit to the relationship. And as you grow closer to your new nerdy tools, watch how you grow further from the competition. And who knows, maybe I’ll even get to read all about it on your new BLOG.

To get some serious technology tips, listen to Brian’s recorded interview of technology marketing expert Terry Brock on his weekly radio program.