“Technological progress is like putting an axe in the hands of a pathological criminal.” – Albert Einstein
I just had to use this quote when I came across it. There are many ways to use or interpret this quote. My immediate thought was the siren’s call of technology, with respect to a business that is predicated on client relationships (financial advisor, accountant, doctor, lawyer, etc.).
Technology can do many things for us, but we can never forget two things. First, it is only a tool, not a solution. Too often technology is sold as a solution, whereas tools are used to make building something easier. In this case, technology should allow a person to build a better relationship with another person. The only solution is one in which people spend more time interacting with each other in more meaningful ways.
Second, technology can clutter your focus. If we have too much of it to use, we get distracted and the technology becomes self-serving. Using technology uses our time, energy and money resources. These resources can be spent serving our technology or they can be spent on interacting with real people who can be or already are, actual clients. Your energy needs to be spent making them feel important and satisfied so that they can tell others about you. When was the last time technology earned you a referral?
Let me know what you think.
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