What is a Business Technology Expert?

There are countless computer consultants out there. You have the geeks, the gurus, the evangelists, the computer guys, techs, nerds, network consultants, computer consultants and technologists, just to name a few. At the end of it all, regardless of what they call themselves, each provides a different level of service and technical know-how. Too many IT consultants solve every problem by asking you to throw money at it. New computers, new servers, new monitors, new printers, but every time you spend money, you are cutting into profitability. The key is for you to identify the right person for your needs. If you run a company, what you really need is a business technology expert to help you make the right decisions about your technology.

A computer consultant is usually only interested in fixing your computers. He is not versed in any business functions and is therefore incapable of assisting you with many additional services that will maximize your information technology investments. The computer guy is great when the printer breaks or when the computer goes haywire, but a business technology expert can offer you significantly more value. Large corporations hire a Chief Information Officer to fulfill this role, but a small to mid-sized business may not need that degree of full time support. In these cases, a business technology expert will serve you well.

Business Technology is any technology that serves the needs of business, including accounting, networking, and other office systems. So, while an office productivity software suite (e.g. Microsoft Office) is considered business technology, the Microsoft Xbox is not. The realization that there is a growing divide between recreational gadgets and technologies that can directly impact the business world has led to a new way of examining the direct value of technology. Business technology must add value to your company or else it is just a waste of money. There are so many products to choose from, all with competing philosophies and learning curves. More often than not, you simply accept what came with the computer when you bought it and you make due. Or, worse yet, you fall prey to that fantastic salesperson that promises the answer to all your prayers and delivers another expensive nightmare. So, the next fact you need to accept is that not all business technology is valuable to your business!

The key to modern business success is to be sure to align your business goals with your technology plans. Business and technology alignment has become a Holy Grail for large multinational corporations. Because these industrial monsters are so large, anything they can do to make themselves more flexible, more responsive to their customers, is mandatory. Fortunately, most small and medium-sized businesses are agile and fast to respond. Chances are your top customers know how to get in touch with you at any time of the day. However, just because you do not suffer from the problems of these huge dinosaur businesses does not mean you cannot benefit from business / technology alignment. A business technology expert will assist you in aligning your business goals with your technology investments.

The second benefit you can derive from a business technology expert is an understanding of your business processes. No two businesses operate exactly alike. Chances are your business practices have developed organically as your company overcomes new challenges. However, organic growth has a tendency to develop substantial inefficiencies that can impact profits. I have seen cases where companies print and mail out zero dollar invoices ($0.00) simply because the system was poorly automated. This is inefficient and expensive, and can easily be remedied. A business technology expert will analyze how you work to pinpoint and correct these inefficiencies. Download a free Business Process Optimization Case Study.

A business technology expert will then use his knowledge and understanding of your computer systems and business processes to assist you in building competitive advantage. According to a 2007 IBM study, a business technology expert should be "…engaged as a strategic partner for process and culture change."[i] This means that the lonely computer geek typing away for hours without human contact is not the right choice if you want to succeed. A business technology expert will be capable of working with others and must possess advanced communication and social skills to act as an agent of positive change. The computer geek that is incapable of communicating ideas or is lacking in social skills is not what you need.

Also, a business technology expert understands that his job is to make recommendations. Remember, you are the ultimate decision maker, so your expert needs to present you with options, instead of ultimatums. In some rare cases there is only one course of action, but in my experience I have rarely encountered them. A business technology expert will present you with multiple options to achieve your goals. However, if so instructed, your business technology expert will make decisions on your behalf based on solid experience and understanding of your objectives.

Technology is a fact of life. From cell phones to computers, technology has become a part of our everyday lives. Just about every business uses technology in some fashion. Whether it's to improve efficiency or to develop new services, companies all over the world are harnessing technology to improve the way they do business. Don't trust your technology to someone that doesn't understand business and how you work. A business technology expert can make the difference to your success.


[i] IBM Global Services "The New CIO: Change Partner and Business Leader". © IBM Corporation 2007

Business Technology Experts
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Benefits of Digital Dashboards

In his book Business @ the Speed of Thought: Using a Digital Nervous System, Bill Gates presents the concept of the fully integrated business digital dashboard. Very simply stated, these software amalgams allow executives and knowledge workers to get a snapshot, bird's eye view of the current status of the business. Depending on specific needs, a dashboard might include daily sales figures, current inventory levels for specific fast-moving products, accurate to-the-second profit and loss statements and any other data that is tracked and managed by your computer systems.

Sadly, these systems are rare. I have to date never encountered a business with a digital dashboard system deployed throughout the enterprise. In some cases it is because of excessive secrecy about company finances or an IT department that is unable to develop said systems. Whatever the reason, it is time for businesses to take this technology seriously and to take the necessary steps to deploying them. By giving your employees the information they need to make decisions will improve the quality of their decisions and reduce errors in the enterprise. Also, management will gain a substantial advantage by having the information they need at their fingertips through the normal course of the work day.

First you must decide what information you need at your fingertips. Don't go crazy! Focus on the data that you rely on day in and day out. Too many executives opt for Information Overload which turns an otherwise useful tool into a useless morass, not to mention it will drive your programmers insane. Just focus on the key indicators that make the difference. Once identified, agree to a simple layout that is easy to understand and fast to read. Now is also the time to include some analytical tools too. Remember, in the world of information technology, anything is possible as long as you are able to pay for it. Make sure that whoever is doing the actual work of developing your dashboard knows exactly what you want so there are no problems afterwards.

The more complex these systems get, the more expensive, but the benefits are enormous. If you start small you can build your dashboard slowly. This spreads out your costs over a longer term, making it much easier to absorb. Be sure to give development priority based on actual business needs, not on who shouts the loudest. These systems are invaluable for any knowledge worker. Download this free Digital Dashboard Development and Deployment Case Study for some specific details.

Companies with dashboard systems wonder how they managed without them. Give your business the tools you need for success by providing access to precious and necessary data. Do yourself a favor and research dashboard systems for your business. The information you can report is only limited by the data you collect.


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The Free Digital Dashboard Case Study is in PDF format. You may need free software to view this file. R-Squared recommends the free FoxIt PDF Reader.
As always, for a free consultation, contact R-Squared Computing. I can never resist an opportunity for a shameless business plug!



R-Squared Computing: Business Technology Experts

Give a Damn About Your Wired Reputation

Employers are increasingly turning to the web to find out information about potential hires. As more and more people post their inner secrets, foibles and adventures on social networking sites like Facebook and MySpace, employers are using this information to get an idea about who they are hiring. While it might be entertaining to post the details of last Friday's drunken madness, it will definitely count against you. Swords have two edges which seems to go for technology also. Beware what you post because now everyone has access.

Reputation is really just another concept for credibility. Credibility is the only currency that has any real value anymore. Your personal integrity is the yardstick by which you are measured and you must defend it with every weapon in your arsenal. In many ways, we must become like the gentlemen of old that fought duels for their honor and reputation. However, now our weapons are blogs, forum posts and social networking sites. Credibility is the key to everything you wish to accomplish in life. Protect your reputation and be smart about what you post for the world to see. Or, as the proverb goes "Don't air your dirty laundry in public."

Learn more: Lifehacker: Manage Your Online Reputation

Innovation & the Social Web

There are a number of ways a business can leverage the benefits of social networking and other open collaboration websites to assist in product innovation. When you think of the incredible community of people willing to express their opinions for free that the web makes available, you now have the largest virtual test market for new ideas ever seen. Also, you can leverage the knowledge of engineers and scientists depending on which open community you tap.

Corporations should be making a large investment of time in developing relationships within these different communities as best suits their needs. By building up their "street credit" within these organizations they will grow a strong base of support for new products. Think of the hype Apple managed to build for the iPhone largely through the clever use of the internet. Consider the huge fundraising advantage won by presidential primary candidate Barack Obama, again all through judicious and intelligent use of available internet resources.

Those companies best able to make the transition away from traditionally secretive and closed development cycles towards more open and community-based development will reap the largest rewards. They will benefit from the accumulated wisdom of the masses and get a better understanding for what features and designs will best meet the needs and desires of their target consumer base.