Technology’s Place In The Contemporary Workplace

An employer could be reviewing a proposal for a shiny new automation tool. It promises real-time insights, streamlined distribution, and smoother sales operations. The numbers add up, the benefits are clear. However, one question lingers: How will the team react? Will they see it as a powerful ally, or as a threat to their jobs?

“Every time a new technology emerges, there is always that anxiety as to whether this technology will open up new opportunities, or create challenges such as loss of jobs,” says Alexander Odhiambo, CEO of Solutech.

However, Odhiambo observes that new technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and automation, were never meant to replace people. At their best, they amplify human ability.

Automation tools do not erase the judgment of a field officer or the relationships a salesperson nurtures but instead, they give these professionals sharper insights, clearer direction and real-time feedback.

“Think of them as the compass in a long journey, not walking the path for you, but making sure you do not get lost along the way,” notes Odhiambo.

Indeed, the real magic happens not in the software itself, but in how people use it. A team that understands why new technology has been introduced does not see it as a surveillance system but as support.

When training is done well, the fear of being watched melts away, replaced by the confidence of being equipped.

With the effect of technology, a salesperson is no longer filling forms they do not understand; they are translating customer visits into actionable insights. A distributor is not just dropping off goods; they are working with clarity on what is needed, where, and when.

“Employers who invest in training soon discover that data stops being abstract, it becomes the language of smarter decisions. Teams evolve from simply carrying out tasks to actively shaping growth,” says Mutie Mule, Chief Operations Officer, Solutech.

Across Africa, companies are already writing their own success stories. A manufacturer that once struggled with constant stock-outs now uses automation tools to ensure every shelf is filled on time.

FMCG field teams, armed with real-time dashboards, can spot gaps and act instantly, instead of waiting weeks for reports. Service providers, too, find that visibility into their operations means fewer missed opportunities and happier customers.

The common thread? When employees understand the tools, they stop resisting them. The tools work for them, not against them, and the business reaps the rewards.

In Kenya, companies such as Solutech Limited, are providing these sales automation and field force solutions that are transforming how businesses across the region are conducting their operations.

At the end of the day, automation is not about cold numbers or faceless algorithms. It is about giving people the clarity to perform at their best, the confidence to make smarter choices, and the space to focus on what humans do best; building relationships and creating value.

When employers take the time to prepare their people, they discover that technology does not strip away the human touch in business, it strengthens it.

In a business environment as fast-moving and dynamic as Kenya’s, that balance between people and technology is not only an advantage. It is a necessity.