So, why does my business need strategic technology thinking?
Preaching to the masses – It’s tough out there right now! How far can we cut our costs? How do we keep our employees on board? How do we keep our (suffering) customers happy?
In the midst of all of this, and nearly countless of other issues, why do we need someone to help us think “strategically” about technology? What a waste of money…
Only problem is – the pace of technical change continues to directly impact nearly every facet of the business world. One key example – Have you given any serious thoughts to old fashioned marketing lately? Don’t look too closely – marketing is HEAVILY driven by various and sundry technologies. Twitter is not all about making sure that you know what your best friend had for breakfast. Face Book is being leveraged for a whole lot more than figuring out who has the most friends. Basically, the marketing world has been turned upside down. The common denominator to all of this is technology.
How about your work force? Mobility has been a force for a number of years. What has made that realistic – again, technology.
How about collaboration between you and your customers, and, or, suppliers? Yep, technology driven…
Business metrics and intelligence gathering – yet again another example of an area utterly transformed by technology.
Want to cut costs out of your operation? Almost all cost cutting is enabled to some degree by an underlying technology.
Most (all?) SMB’s cannot afford a full-time “C” level type to help think through technology-related issues. But, you say, we do have an IT manager! Yes, you probably do. And, they almost certainly have their hands full keeping the current tech infrastructure working/patched/secure/etc. Do they have the time to meet with your leaders and help figure out technology can/should support the business strategically?
You need to decide – do you allow them to off-load certain “mundane” work so that they have the time to work with you and your leaders, or do you find someone who can come in and help deal with the strategic issues. Consultant? Full-time? Someone on retainer?
Or, do you “let technology happen?”
Your call, boss.