4. Change

Some businesses stay ahead of the technology curve, while others fall behind.  Yet those companies that have fallen behind will have to make an upgrade at some point in time, be it today or in 10 years.  This being said, why do some companies try to maximize the time between basic upgrades (i.e. MS Office 2003 --> MS Office 2007--> MS Office 2010)?  I think in many cases they wait for the employees, not the technology, to evolve.

I use the MS Office example because my workplace still uses Office 2003.  Why?  My answer... traditional secretaries.  Most of the secretaries at my workplace have been with our firm for several years and are very comfortable with the technology currently in place.  These traditional secretaries do not want nor feel the need to waste time learning all the bells and whistles of a new Office suite, even if it would make their lives easier. These secretaries (and their outdated Office suite) do, however, conflict with the young associates entering the firm.  The associates, like I, prefer the latest and greatest Office suite.  As my generation slowly outnumbers the priors, our technology will replace theirs.  Such is my analysis on several "slow to adapt" organizations.  People can be a greater barrier than the costs and availability of technology.