Cracking the Code: Where to Start with Emerging Tech?
New Era of Services Technology
The future of technology is incredibly exciting. With advances in Generative AI, sophisticated analytics, and powerful automation, we are entering a new era of services technology. But as exciting as these emerging technologies are, they can also be overwhelming—especially for professional services teams that need to quickly adapt in a rapidly evolving services industry. The key question is: where should you begin in leveling up your tech stack?
Here’s What We’re Hearing
For many service-based organizations, keeping up with emerging technology while managing growth can be a real challenge. Profit margins are tightening, client retention is getting tougher, and operational costs are still high despite growing demand. This isn’t just an isolated issue—every company experiences these pains differently depending on its business model. But one thing remains clear: leveraging technology to improve efficiency, profitability, and customer experiences is essential. So why isn't it simple? Because with a full tech overhaul, the risks and disruptions often feel as great as the potential rewards.
A Practical Way to Start
That’s why more organizations are finding success by taking a "bite small, chew fast" approach to digital transformation. At Ladd Partners, we see companies getting ahead by leveraging modular-based software like Salesforce and Certinia to drive targeted transformations. Rather than overhauling entire systems at once, they're focusing on improving key business processes—like billing, project planning, or quoting—and prioritizing what moves the needle now. This approach combined with modular-based software not only reduces the complexity of change management but also helps companies realize ROI faster by delivering value to their customers and employees quickly.
The "Lego Strategy"
We like to call this the “Lego strategy.” It’s all about building your system one piece at a time, seamlessly integrating each new technology with what’s already working. By doing this, your business incrementally creates a single source of truth across your entire organization, setting the stage for future opportunities—without disrupting your day-to-day operations.
Final Thoughts: Planning for the Future
As we step into the new services era, embracing systems that harness cutting-edge technology—like AI and automation—will be crucial. The way to begin is by prioritizing your digital transformation efforts, addressing immediate needs first while ensuring your systems scale with the business. By taking a strategic, modular approach, your technology will serve as a catalyst for growth rather than an obstacle