Montreal technology entrepreneur Jonathan Haber is calling for a fundamental shift toward simpler, more human-centered technology in startup and business environments, highlighting a growing disconnect between technical advancement and practical usability. Drawing from his experience building and advising early-stage companies through Haber Strategies Inc., Haber identifies a pervasive industry problem: tools that are technically sophisticated but difficult for employees to navigate effectively.
Research supports Haber's concerns. A 2024 Gartner report indicates that over 65% of employees feel overwhelmed by the number of digital tools they are expected to use in their daily work. Meanwhile, McKinsey research reveals that nearly 70% of digital initiatives fail due to poor adoption and lack of user alignment. These statistics underscore a critical business challenge where technological investment often fails to deliver intended productivity gains.
"Most startups don't need more features," Haber explained in a recent interview. "They need fewer decisions and clearer systems." This philosophy represents a departure from the feature-heavy approach that dominates much of technology development. Haber advocates for technology that reduces complexity rather than adding to it, arguing that clarity should be the primary design objective.
Haber shared a practical example from his consulting work involving a remote startup team experiencing low morale and declining productivity. Rather than implementing additional platforms or tools, Haber simplified existing workflows and redesigned communication systems based directly on employee feedback. "Clarity changed everything," he noted. "Once people understood what mattered and how to work together, engagement came back almost immediately." This case demonstrates how addressing usability issues can yield rapid improvements in team performance and satisfaction.
The implications of this approach extend beyond individual companies to broader workplace trends. Studies indicate that employees lose an average of one full workday per week navigating complex systems and unclear processes. As remote and hybrid work arrangements become increasingly common, the need for intuitive, people-first tools grows more urgent. Technology that creates confusion rather than reducing it represents both a productivity drain and a source of employee stress.
Haber emphasizes that leadership plays a crucial role in addressing these challenges. He advocates for management approaches rooted in listening rather than speed, noting that early conversations with teams often reveal problems long before data dashboards provide indicators. "Technology should reduce stress," Haber added. "If it creates more confusion, it's not doing its job." This perspective reframes technology evaluation from technical specifications to human impact.
For founders, managers, and professionals seeking to implement more human-centered approaches, Haber recommends practical steps: regularly asking teams what feels unclear, simplifying existing tools before adding new ones, and prioritizing understanding over speed. These actions, while seemingly modest, can lead to stronger teams and more sustainable business outcomes by aligning technology with actual human needs and work patterns.
