We speak so much about the benefits of new technology that it can sometimes be easy to overlook how adopting new tech isn't always an overnight process for team members. In some cases, agents already have routines that deliver success and therefore may be hesitant to adopt new tech, even if it will ultimately benefit them. In others, an agent may simply not be the most tech-savvy, even if they're extremely competent in other aspects of the job.

Since agents have different reasons for why they might have trouble adapting, the first thing to remember is that making tech adoption more approachable requires a multi-faceted approach.  The solution for an agent who just needs motivation will often be different from the solution for an agent who genuinely has trouble wrapping their head around new tech and integrating it into their workflow. By approaching the challenge from multiple perspectives, it's much easier to find what works for each individual. 

No matter the reason an agent may be intimidated by adopting new real estate tech, there's plenty that you can do to ease the transition, provide positive motivation, and make the entire process more approachable for them. The benefits are well worth the effort. Here are some ideas:

1. Adopt a CRM That's Easy to Use

One way to ensure that your team won't want to adopt is to choose technology that's difficult to use. Choosing a real estate CRM that's easy to use while still providing everything that your team needs is always the better path because it automatically breaks down some of the most common barriers to adopting tech by offering a genuinely user-friendly experience.

With our DeltaNET® CRM, everything that agents need is waiting at their fingertips, including a user interface that makes it easy for them to find what they need, when they need it. Agents can explore tools at their own speed, see the benefits first-hand, and learn through interactive training programs which we'll cover later in this piece. It all adds up to an experience that provides both the motivation and ease of use that are essential in encouraging agents to adopt new technology.

2. Work With a Technology Partner That Offers One-on-One Support

Some technology partners are eager to provide you with shiny, new tools, but not so interested in helping your agents make the most of your technology investment. Needless to say, this can put some major roadblocks in the way of your agents adopting new technology. With the right technology partner, those unnecessary roadblocks are a thing of the past.

For a variety of reasons, one-on-one support is an essential ingredient in helping agents adopt new tech. Take, for example, the agent who is more than willing to put in the work to learn, but simply has trouble doing so. They might have all the motivation in the world but need a helping hand to cross the finish line. We offer one-on-one support at Delta Media Group® to ensure that both you and your team can benefit from your new technology to the fullest.

3. Teach Them to Use One Tool at a Time

Even for very tech-savvy agents, adopting an entirely new CRM and all of the tools it contains can be an intimidating prospect. That's to say nothing of the agents who may struggle a bit more with tech in general, and aren't even sure where to start. So for all agents, regardless of their general comfort level with new technology, teaching them to use one tool at a time is often the best path forward.

Some agents will be able to progress from learning one tool to the next quite quickly, while others may need time to build up a comfort level before progressing further through the process. Teaching them one tool at a time allows them to learn at their own pace, and feel fully confident with each tool — a key step in encouraging them to adopt.

It's important to note that learning to use the tech is just one part of the goal. By giving them time to build familiarity with each tool, it's also easier for agents to conceptualize how each tool can benefit them during their day-to-day work. Agents tend to be more motivated to put in the work to learn each tool when they can clearly see how doing so will allow them to generate more leads, save time on essential tasks, or benefit their careers in any number of other ways.

4. Offer Agents Virtual Training Through the Platform Itself

Everyone learns at different speeds, and in different ways, so a one-size-fits-all training session is rarely enough to get the job done. One way to increase adoption is to make it easier for agents to learn on their own terms, ideally through integrated training programs offered through the platform itself. Our DeltaNET Academy interactive training platform allows you to design your own courses for agents — perfect for teaching them to use one tool at a time as we mentioned above.

You can use the platform to provide learning opportunities through slideshows, videos, quizzes, and more, all customized to suit the needs of your team. In addition to making learning materials easily accessible, this allows agents to train at their own speed. It's much easier to fit training into the busy schedule of an agent when they can do it anytime, rather than having to attend a dedicated training session at a specific time.

5. Use Early Adopters as "Influencers"

We've touched on motivation at multiple points throughout this guide, and that's no accident. On many teams, you'll find quite a few agents who are already quite comfortable with technology — but maybe a little too comfortable with the tech that they're already used to using. Even if the new tech that you're aiming for them to adopt is objectively better, with more features and an improved user experience, they may struggle to adopt it simply because they're comfortable with what they already have.

In these cases, teammates who are early adopters can be positioned as "influencers" who motivate the rest of the team to get on board. When other agents can see, first-hand, how new tech helps colleagues work more efficiently and effectively, it can really break down the barriers that may have been preventing them from adopting it. Those same early adopting "influencers" can also help answer questions that other agents may have about the new technology since they're already familiar with the ins and outs of how it works.

Why Encouraging Tech Adoption Requires Diverse Solutions

In the end, there's no single reason that some agents struggle to adopt new technology, which means that there's not a single solution that will cover the needs of every agent. Success requires a diversified approach, where you consider the needs of the individual as well as the team. Some agents will need more training, while others will simply need more motivation or easier ways to fit training into their schedules. Needless to say, choosing technology that's easy to use is a key first step, and should make the rest of the process much simpler.