In a recent conversation with Ian Aldridge from Progressive Legal as part of the ‘Biz Bites for Thought Leaders’ podcast, we explored a critical question facing modern business leaders: When does technology move from being a trendy gimmick to becoming a genuine business necessity?
The Three Stages of Technology Adoption
Every new technology follows a journey in business adoption:
- Gimmick Stage: Being among the first to adopt
- Pressure Stage: Feeling compelled to trial
- Tested Necessity: Fully validated implementation
“Entrepreneurs are risk seekers,” Aldridge notes. “We see the blue ocean and want to start swimming and see what happens.” However, he emphasises that while risk-taking is inherent in business, certain areas demand caution: “There’s just a few things that you just don’t want to risk when it comes to business.“
Stage One : The Gimmick Trap
The allure of being first can be compelling, but as Ian warns, particularly in legal matters, rushing into new technology can be dangerous. “I’d strongly advise against just publishing text that’s spat out through any of the AI producing content platforms. You just don’t know where this is being produced from.”
He shares a cautionary tale: “There’s been some lawyers that have been busted for producing submissions to the court… quoting cases that don’t [exist]. At the moment, AI is just not there yet.”
Stage Two : The Pressure Point
Many businesses feel compelled to adopt technology due to market pressure or competitor actions. Ian observes, “It’s so funny as well too. There’s people coming up with very similar ideas around the world at the same time, because the prior art base is moving in that same direction.”
This pressure can lead to hasty decisions. “A stitch in time saves nine or 900, 9,000 or the whole bag,” Aldridge emphasises, highlighting the cost of rushed technology adoption.
Stage Three : The Tested Necessity
The final stage is where technology proves its genuine value. As Ian Aldridge demonstrates through his firm’s approach: “Some protection is better than none. And just doing things in order of priority and just making sure that at least the big risk stuff is dealt with.”
Evaluating Technology for Your Business
When considering new technology, ask yourself:
- Is this a genuine necessity or just a trending gimmick?
- Are you feeling peer pressure to adopt without proper evaluation?
- Have you fully tested and validated the technology’s value for your specific needs?
- What are the potential risks and legal implications?
The Speed of Modern Business
The pace of technology adoption has accelerated dramatically. “If I don’t come back to a client, they’ve emailed them in the morning, and if I haven’t come back to them by the afternoon, they think I’ve gone on a holiday,” Ian notes. “This is how fast it is. But the traditional law firm doesn’t get that.”
Podcasting : A Case Study in Technology Evolution
While many technologies remain in the gimmick or pressure stages, podcasting has emerged as a tested necessity for thought leaders. Here’s why:
- Beyond the Gimmick Stage: Podcasting has proven its value as a communication medium
- Past the Pressure Point: It’s no longer about following trends but delivering genuine value
- Proven Necessity: It provides a platform for authentic thought leadership and connection
The Power of Authentic Voice
What sets successful leaders apart is their ability to balance innovation with authenticity. As Ian Aldridge demonstrates through his own journey: “We cut our teeth on startups because we were a startup at the time.”
This authentic approach has helped shape his firm’s unique perspective and success.
Why Podcasting Has Become Essential
For thought leaders, podcasting has moved beyond being a gimmick to become a tested necessity because it:
- Allows for deep, meaningful conversations
- Builds genuine connections with audiences
- Provides a platform for sharing expertise authentically
- Creates lasting value for your audience
Are you ready to move beyond the gimmick stage and establish your authentic voice through a proven medium? Your expertise deserves to be heard, and podcasting offers the perfect platform to share it.
Don’t let your distinctive voice remain unheard.
As this conversation with Ian Aldridge shows, the power of podcasting lies in its ability to facilitate deeper discussions and provide genuine value to listeners while maintaining your authentic approach.
Ready to start your podcasting journey?
Contact Podcasts Done For You today, where we’ll help design and deliver a podcast that showcases your authentic brilliance to the world.
We handle everything from strategy through to publishing, allowing you to focus on what you do best – sharing your unique expertise.
Your authentic voice deserves to be heard, and your expertise deserves to be shared.
Remember, in today’s fast-paced digital world, having a podcast isn’t just another gimmick – it’s a tested necessity for thought leaders who want to make a lasting impact while maintaining their authentic voice in their industry.
