If your business is like most digital-first workplaces that depend on technology, you’ve likely succumbed to the allure of quick fixes in the pursuit of progress, become overwhelmed by the myriad of choices available, ended up with a patchwork quilt of disparate solutions, and fallen into some degree of tech debt. At GoTo, we’ve seen this time and time again from our front-row seat working with companies from virtually every industry and the tech that powers them.
The result? An overly complex tech stack that’s difficult to secure and manage, complete with operational inefficiencies, security vulnerabilities, wasted budget, and tech debt that can be difficult to rectify.
Consider this:
- 92% of businesses want to reduce IT burden through the right software choice.
- Only 33% of businesses report that hybrid work has made IT work easier.
- 58% of IT leaders struggle with agent satisfaction and attrition.
The underlying cause of these issues is a lack of a holistic view of the technological ecosystem and a commitment to keeping it in tip-top shape. So we’re introducing a new concept that changes how we look at tech by its impact on the health of a company: Tech Fitness.
What is Tech Fitness?
You’ve probably heard of tech wellness – taking a mindful approach to your relationship with personal technology by doing things like taking a digital detox, setting screen time limits, and balancing body, mind, and spirit when using tech.
This isn’t that.
Tech Fitness is a strategic approach that delves into the dynamic interplay between a business and its technological ecosystem in order to thrive in a world dominated by remote and hybrid work. It's about more than just having functional tools; it's about ensuring these tools are efficient, secure, and tailored to the unique needs of the organization.
Tech Fitness is more than a concept; it's a commitment to a regular regimen of making smart, secure, and business-aligned technology decisions so that technology serves as a strategic asset rather than a liability. It's about making choices that resonate with your business goals, enhance security, and foster a flexible workforce across geographies, devices, and locations. After all, fitness is a journey, not a destination.
“As markets and economies shift and grow, individuals and businesses are constantly pressured to grow and enhance their efficiency, and tech fitness becomes an important enabler for this.” – Anand Rajaram, VP Product at GoTo
Why focusing on Tech Fitness matters (and what to focus on)
By critically assessing and optimizing your tech landscape, IT and business leaders can ensure their technology isn't just a means to an end but a catalyst for positive change to unlock operational excellence and sustainable growth.
We can think about Tech Fitness holistically by focusing on four areas, or dimensions. Each plays a pivotal role in determining and building an organization’s overall health. By breaking it down into specific areas of focus, you can systematically work toward optimal Tech Fitness.
The four dimensions of Tech Fitness
Security
A secure tech environment boosts your organization's confidence and ease. It impacts the overall well-being and resilience of your company, because when you have the right security protocols in place, you can ultimately operate with less friction and hesitation when adopting new technology.
“A fit company is a healthy company, one that consistently strives to enhance and optimize all aspects of technology and has the stature, strength, and prowess to avoid becoming unwell. Just like our own personal fitness journey, tech fitness requires constant monitoring and adjustments, fluidity and flexibility.” – Laura Leaver, Solutions Consultant at GoTo
Productivity
How well does your technology maximize output (productivity) while optimizing time and resources (efficiency)? The right balance ensures your tech ecosystem is an enabler rather than a bottleneck.
“A common IT challenge that we hear in conversations with customers is around doing more with less. This reflects a sense of agility that IT leaders require from the technology they use and the outcomes that they expect.” – Ashleigh Ellington, Solutions Consultant at GoTo
Value
There’s a delicate balance to strike between the cost of technology and its return on investment. The bottom line isn’t just a matter of budget, but how the technology empowers your organization to achieve its most important KPIs.
“Because it's so critical these days to deliver business results, you've got to get value out of the technology that you are using and that is why tech fitness is so important.” – Lorelei Curt, VP Customer Success at GoTo
Growth
How does your technology contribute to the overall scalability and futureproofing of your business? That’s one way to look at growth. We can also think about it in terms of individual employee growth, talent attraction, and retention. How is your tech impacting these important areas?
“Technology is arguably the best engine of growth, not only for companies but also for humans. Tech fitness is about ensuring that we make the most out of technology and harness its true potential over the long run.” – Anand Rajaram, VP Product at GoTo
A new year calls for new resolutions
We’re just getting started with this Tech Fitness revolution and invite you to join us as we guide you through taking a critical, comprehensive assessment of your tech health. It's a transformative approach that ensures your technology is not working but working toward growth and innovation.
And if you’ve ever set personal fitness goals, you know that achieving them is better with company. Tech Fitness is about a community of like-minded, growth-oriented leaders sharing tips and tricks for a better fitness regimen. Stay tuned for enlightening conversations with your peers, insights from experts in their fields, and all kinds of helpful content designed to make it easier for you to leverage your business technology as a strategic advantage.
