No question that innovative, cutting-edge technology is spewing out of Case's pores. But with all new innovation comes the learning curve - especially that of the non-tech saavy individual.

While the internet is a wonderful tool replacing many of the tools of the industrial era with the intent of more effective and efficient production, creation and sustainability, the adaptability to this "new" tool is slow and cumbersome. Additionally, many people approach that which is new with great caution and general apprehension - there is the old way of doing things and we've gotten this far as a society, what's the use in trying something new?

I say that with great sarcasm, as I try to embrace that which is new as quickly as I can manage to learn and understand it. Yet, I gave Rob this example in the office - I worked on a Charity Choice campaign for Case, where we raised money for three charities from our 5,000+ employees. This year we introduced an electronic pledge form where those who wish to donate could login to our PeopleSoft system, click on a couple of options, and make a charitable contribution. As the coordinator of the campaign, I received quite a bit of resistance to the new form - people wanted to receive the pledge packet that they had received all the years prior. This online-pledge thingy was "too complicated" (we made it as easy to use as possible - 3 clicks and you're helping the Girl Scouts on their cookie mission) and/or a host of other complaints about using an online form (some being: I don't use e-mail, much less a computer, I'm not donating through this internet-thingy).

I guess to say that unfortunately, the learning curve (given people are even willing to learn something new) is far behind the technology of the day. The question to the IT world is how to teach the average American to utilize technological tools to their maximum potential? With the internet developing at such a rapid rate, what can we do to shorten the learning curve and maybe even make it a linear line?

Mike,

Interesting comment. I have been thinking about how to respond since you posted it. You will always run into luddites, or those whom just refuse to try/learn anything new. I think the emails you referenced are evidence of that.

Reality is that, for example, the Salvation Army is finding that an increasing amount of donations come through the internet. I can pretty much guarantee you that *I* wouldn't donate any other way. And then if you think about it, my kids are going to be even worse when I they are "consumers". My son is creating his Christmas wishlist by searching the net. His school has three computer labs, and computers(note the plural) in each classroom. Much of the curriculum is designed around using the web.

Anybody whom doesn't take the time and effort to learn new ways will be left behind and/or has their head in the sand. Simple fact is that it is not rocket science. My 73 year old mother uses word processing, spreadsheets(unfortunately of the Microsoft variety as opposed to OpenOffice), and email daily in her role as a freelance grant writer. She has never taken any courses whatsoever in how to use it, she just uses it. She doesn't even particularly like the computer.

The impacts of the internet and the technology are being felt throughout huge areas of industry: Mass and publising media, recording and movie industry, software, retail, as just a few examples.

While I appreciate your concern on how to make technology more accessible and understandable to more folks, I feel its like the old saying "you can take a horse to water, but you can't make him/her/it drink". If you run into people whom refuse to use email, I am fairly certain that regardless of how easy and understandable you make it, they aren't going to use it. Their proud, card-bearing luddites.

I am curious though, Mike, is how did the Campaign go as compared to previous years? In reality, since you were on the front line to receive the complaints you maybe placing more weight on them than is due. For example, you mention 5000+ Case employees and if you only had a 10 complaints that is insignificant. Did you also analyze the
cost merits of the new-fangled online method versus the tried-and-true method of previous years? Did you do a comparison of participation rates?

It is just simply hard for me to believe that the mindset you suggest is really prevalent at Case. That it exists doesn't suprise me, but it would suprise me if that were true for the majority at Case.