Technology is the Conduit for Connection
Technology is not a connector of people, it is merely a conduit for connection. People are the connectors because, without the intentionality to connect, no amount of technology can create personal action.
In HR, technology can be a conduit for finding candidates for roles, but people are the connectors who go beyond the keywords and required skills to learn about the humans applying for the role and the humans hiring for the role.
In Sales, technology can be a conduit for identifying leads, but people are the connectors who go beyond the Marketing-qualified leads to learn about the humans looking to solve a pain point or address a new opportunity.
In Marketing, technology can be a conduit for identifying potential prospects, but people are the connectors who go beyond the automation behind the form submissions to learn about the humans looking to self-identify how to determine fit and value for their organization.
And on it goes, regardless of the area of the organization because we’re all humans building some kind of connection point to other humans. Even in a transactional business, we don’t have to treat the person as a transaction.
Technology is a potential force multiplier, but we must be careful not to multiply the force of the process at the expense of the person.