Technology has evolved in our lives in the last decade and where it has almost become ubiquitous to what we do in our day to day personal and professional life. We, humans, have integrated technology as an extension of our lives, and we are not in a position to live without it. There is a new technology hierarchy of needs where the topmost level is disconnecting from technology or digital detox.

However, even with the growth of technology, I personally do see that a lot of individuals still do not have a general technology acumen. This is far more important if you would like to be successful in a professional career. In an organization, the growth and adoption of technology are exponentially increasing day by day. The reason for the adoption is to enable customers, employees, and all other stakeholders as part of the value a seamless and efficient experience. Technology acumen doesn't mean that you need to be an expert or have professional degrees as part of the process. Over the years, I have implied technology acumen in my day-to-day professional setup and have found some characteristics which I would like to share. Though these characteristics may sound naive or basics, if applied in your professional and personal environment, it would enable you to be successful.  

1. Navigation decoding: Today's most of the enterprise-grade platforms leverage the basic schematics similar to the Microsoft Office menu. More SAAS platforms would either have a top or left navigation. But the similarities on the features and broader sub-menu items would apply to the Microsoft Office. For, e.g., there are distinct features within 'File,' 'Edit,' and others, which you would find mainly in similar other software platforms. 

2. Tutorials: Today, the internet has a brand and 3rd party owned content and tutorials to get you up to speed on the potential technology you are going to leverage to planning to adopt. The key is to find the right source, observe, and then apply to the technology we have chosen. 'Practice makes one perfect,' and it is valid for technology adoption as well. Learning should never stop, even though the initial process of adoption you might have gone through the tutorials but today, technology (hardware or software) keeps getting an update, and leveraging the tutorials to keep yourself aware of the advancement of new applications would enhance your user experience. 

3. Shortcuts: To be quick and effective, you need to start learning and leveraging continuous functions that you would frequently be leveraging to be productive at your work and personal life. These shortcuts are a boon, to be productive and, more importantly, allow you to be effective and quick on getting things done on the programs. 

4. Compare and contrast: I have seen folks who are stuck on specific skillsets or have build careers around one tool/technology/ecosystem only. Organizations today are evolving, and they are not able to keep up with the exponential rise of technology. Due to its workforce who are not equipped, ready to scale, or adopt technologies that can make a big difference to the future of the organization. I recommend that newer technologies have evolved by taking a leaf from the previous generations or parallel technologies within the same ecosystem. 

5. Basic Tools Expertise: Once you can understand the contrast and, more importantly, what makes the tool/technology fit the ecosystem, then you can leverage or map its full potential. This is critical for you to be aware of the technology and how the applications of technology would fit in the organization processes. This knowledge is so powerful as it enables you to equip yourself with enhanced capabilities to think about integration, and how does the overall information/data process flow happen across the organization.

The technology acumen is not just restricted to software, but the same characteristics can be applied to the hardware or physical products as well. 

I would like to hire your perspective on how do you approach technology acumen. Please share your feedback. Chao..