Oh dear, the tech revolution. It sounds so scary if you’re not on board already. What can you do to make sure your business takes advantage of the technology that is constantly improving around you?
Stay up to Date
In the tech industry there’s something called Moore’s Law. It basically describes a pattern where some technologies get much cheaper or much faster every ~2 years. The spend thrift in everyone is tempted to take advantage of the much cheaper side of that, but you should also pay attention to the much faster side of it. As computers get faster they grow closer to being able to do what we often see in movies. Look at how we used cell phones just 5 years ago and compare it to how we use them now. That’s not a lot of time but a tremendous amount of innovation has happened by capitalizing on technology getting much better and much faster. Stay up to date on what’s going on. You don’t have to understand it all, but just be aware that things are changing. Find a good site and stick to it, read it regularly, you don’t want to get left behind.
While you can always rest assured that your car will have 4 wheels, the tech industry changes far more rapidly. New worlds can be created in a matter of months; dig in.
Have a Good Developer on Staff
I can’t stress the importance of having a good developer on staff. This was true for the first Internet bubble and it’s even more true today. Whether you’re running an offline business and you’re looking to streamline internal operations or you’re running a web business and want to spice it up, you need a good developer.
The IT operations of most non-tech companies are usually horrendously underfunded. Don’t make that same mistake. While PCs are often relegated to simple tasks like checking email and looking at your Facebook page, they can be very powerful if properly harnessed. You need someone on your staff who can do that harnessing.
Start small, you’d initially only need one person - a jack of all trades, but you need to keep this position funded to truly grow and support your ventures.
...and a good designer
If you are to have any presence on the web or use a web tool internally, you need it to work well. Apple built an entire business on doing what everyone else in the market already does, just cleaner and simpler. Simply hiring a good developer isn’t enough, you need someone who is an expert at design and user experience to work alongside the developer. The combination of the two will ensure that you can take your business online and improve productivity all while avoiding painful mistakes that poor design can entail.
The invention of the lightbulb was huge, but it’d be horribly inconvenient if light switches were located on our ceilings. Developers don’t always make the best designers and designers don’t always make the best developers, you need both.
Brainstorm with them
Now that you’ve got your shiny new developer and a designer, where do you go from here? Brainstorm. Help them understand your business and your goals, help them understand how you and your customers work, then allow them to bring optimization and expansion to you. You’ve got your own ideas but listen to what they have to offer as well. The best ideas come from collaboration.
Oh dear, the tech revolution. It sounds so scary if you’re not on board already. What can you do to make sure your business takes advantage of the technology that is constantly improving around you?
June 5, 2009 | In Science & Tech
Discuss
Amanda Stillwagon on June 5, 2009, 12:15 PM
Good tips. I have never heard that term before, you learn something new everyday. It’s hard to keep up with the lightning pace sometimes. I will take your advice into consideration.
Anita Campbell on June 7, 2009, 9:31 AM
Today, if you want to have a strong business, most businesses need technology, including a strong Web presence.
For that, you truly need someone on staff or retainer you can strategize with and who can execute ideas and turn them into reality.
Another suggestion I have is to learn some technology yourself. You’ll be better equipped to deal with technology people (developers and even designers) if you understand something about the technology itself. A lot of the challenge for business owners is being able to properly communicate needs and desires, and understand what an idea will take to put into action, how much labor is involved, what kind of technology will be needed, and so on.
TJ McCue on June 8, 2009, 2:23 PM
I agree with Anita — knowing something about the technology is important. You cannot expect to really prosper in this age of connectivity if you don’t have some indication of what’s going on. I’m not trying to get into politics, but many people commented on the differences in candidates (not just presidential) tech-savvy. One said they have their staff print out their emails — that says a lot. I’m not taking aim at them, but at the mentality that you can’t be engaged on a much deeper level if you don’t use the most basic of technology tools.
That said — tell us some of your favorite sites/reads, Anand. You suggest that we find some blogs we like and stick with them. Some examples, please.
Nathan McFarlane on June 12, 2009, 1:12 AM
Shimpi’s advice is sound. But Moore’s Law has me thinking. Does it apply to all aspects of technology? Yes, probably. But do we always have to live with the results of this law? In terms of running a business with computers and other technolgy, the answer is yes. You must be able to communicate and complete tasks using the newest and best tech products or you risk losing business. But, what about in your personal life?
Shimpi mentioned that your car will always need four tires. I think this simplicity and staying with the basics can have benefits at times. I truly have no interest in high definition, flat screened televisions, my standard television is just fine with me. Also, I have found that household appliances with electronic features are prone to malfunction more than than those without them. I buy refrigerators and ovens without any electronic digital functions- they break down more and are more expensive to repair. I know from experience- an oven door that would not open due to an electrical short on the control panel (and a turkey stuck inside on Thanksgiving.)
I was wondering if Mr. Shimpi, or anyone, had some ideas about good design models for websites to assist people with small companies who are developing sites on their own. Are there any out there?
Staci Collier on June 12, 2009, 10:48 AM
It is true that a somewhat working knowledge of technology is necessary for business owners. You have to have some sort of an idea as to what direction you’d like to head off into. And once you’ve carved that out, then you need to get staff on board who can help to make it happen – and add their own creativity and innovative ideas to the mix.
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