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Warning: IT Inertia Can Ruin a Business
Westborough, MA
Monday, July 13, 2009
Allen Falcon, President of Horizon Information Group, warns small and mid-size business (SMB) owners and IT leaders that inertia can hurt productivity, increase costs, and damage the bottom line. By assuming that evolution of IT systems currently in use is the best path forward, SMBs often miss significant opportunities to add capabilities and lower costs.
"Most small and mid-size businesses get much of their IT advice from vendors and service providers," notes Falcon. "While a potentially good source of information, these sources can be biased, as they have a vested interest in maintaining the status quo" Falcon recommends four actions for making better IT decisions.
1) Stay Current on Newly Maturing Technologies and Services: Most SMBs cannot afford to adopt bleeding edge or leading edge technologies. Tracking emerging technologies as they begin to mature provides perspective on their application to business needs and the likelihood of long-term success.
2) Watch for Profitable Innovators: Within your industry and among industries with similar operating characteristics, keep an eye out for companies whose success matches their innovation. Most case studies reach the media under the stewardship of vendors. Innovation is only worthwhile if it leads to success. Identify the success first; then look for innovation.
3) Get Objective Advice: Seek advice from sources without a direct financial stake in the outcome of your decision. Peers from within your industry and comparable businesses can be great sources of ideas. Choose consultants that are independent of direct vendor relationships and subscribe to a code of ethics (like that of the Institute of Management Consultants).
4) Complete an IS Assessment and Roadmap: A small investment in a comprehensive Information Services Assessment provides a better understanding of how well your systems meet the current and anticipated needs of your business. A roadmap based on the assessment establishes priorities and guidelines for making IT-related decisions.
Falcon further advises IT decision makers to not fear change. Taking steps to overcome inertia and rethink information service and technology directions will identify opportunities ahead of the competition.
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Allen Falcon first published this topic in the March 2009 issue of Strategic Technology Horizons.
Horizon Information Group provides information technology and service leadership for small and mid-size enterprises. Beyond improving day-to-day operations, Horizon helps clients align information technology and services with business goals and objectives, following through to manage change and ensure successful implementation. Horizon assist clients with strategic planning, pragmatic solutions to business problems, applied best practices, operational oversight, vendor management, project management, systems integration, and technical expertise.
"Most small and mid-size businesses get much of their IT advice from vendors and service providers," notes Falcon. "While a potentially good source of information, these sources can be biased, as they have a vested interest in maintaining the status quo" Falcon recommends four actions for making better IT decisions.
1) Stay Current on Newly Maturing Technologies and Services: Most SMBs cannot afford to adopt bleeding edge or leading edge technologies. Tracking emerging technologies as they begin to mature provides perspective on their application to business needs and the likelihood of long-term success.
2) Watch for Profitable Innovators: Within your industry and among industries with similar operating characteristics, keep an eye out for companies whose success matches their innovation. Most case studies reach the media under the stewardship of vendors. Innovation is only worthwhile if it leads to success. Identify the success first; then look for innovation.
3) Get Objective Advice: Seek advice from sources without a direct financial stake in the outcome of your decision. Peers from within your industry and comparable businesses can be great sources of ideas. Choose consultants that are independent of direct vendor relationships and subscribe to a code of ethics (like that of the Institute of Management Consultants).
4) Complete an IS Assessment and Roadmap: A small investment in a comprehensive Information Services Assessment provides a better understanding of how well your systems meet the current and anticipated needs of your business. A roadmap based on the assessment establishes priorities and guidelines for making IT-related decisions.
Falcon further advises IT decision makers to not fear change. Taking steps to overcome inertia and rethink information service and technology directions will identify opportunities ahead of the competition.
---
Allen Falcon first published this topic in the March 2009 issue of Strategic Technology Horizons.
Horizon Information Group provides information technology and service leadership for small and mid-size enterprises. Beyond improving day-to-day operations, Horizon helps clients align information technology and services with business goals and objectives, following through to manage change and ensure successful implementation. Horizon assist clients with strategic planning, pragmatic solutions to business problems, applied best practices, operational oversight, vendor management, project management, systems integration, and technical expertise.
Allen B. Falcon
President
Horizon Information Group, Inc.
Westborough, MA
508-329-2058
508-329-0245
First Url: Allen on LinkedIn
Second Url: Allen's Blog
