Business Strategy - Page 11

This month we've discussed technology, the point of view you have around technology, working with vendors, and resources to improve your tech abilities. As we wrap up this month, we want to focus on one more issue:  Implementation. It's one of our favorite words. 

This month we've discussed the point of view a business needs to have regarding technology and the importance of working with your IT providers. Once you've created the right mindset, it's important for your business to have basic knowledge. Again, you don't have to be an expert, but you have to be knowledgeable enough to ask the tough questions. So where do you get the knowledge? Thankfully there are many resources to learn about your technology needs. Here are a few of our favorites:

Quote: "The first rule of any technology used in a business is that automation applied to an efficient operation will magnify the efficiency. The second is that automation applied to an inefficient operation will magnify the inefficiency."  - Bill Gates

Chances are you'll be working with a vendor to implement technology in your business. These vendors might be web designers, social media experts, or even sales people for technology tools such as CRMs or email marketing software. We often find that the communication between the vendors and business owners often halts, muddies, or even worse completely ruins many attempts at implementing technology in a business. Here are a few tips to ensure that as a small business owner you are prepared to talk the talk with your technology vendors.

Technology! You can love it or hate it, but there's one thing that is clear:  it's here to stay. This means that as a business owner you must learn to deal with it. Otherwise, your business can suffer. Does that mean you need to adapt right now to technology? Absolutely not, but it does mean you need to think about technology from a strategic point of view. Today we'll be looking at the productive points of view business owners need to adopt when discussing technology:

This month we've focused on understanding how you decorate your rut. We looked at ruts that feel safe and comfortable, and discussed the need for small action steps to escape ruts. This week we want to focus on ruts that feel uncomfortable.
 

Last week, we ended with a challenge to design an end-game scenario or story for the end of this year.  In other words, how would you optimally describe your business on December 31, 2016 if you could have your most desired outcome?  Today we begin with the end.  That is the only productive way to start anything with a desired result.  It is very hard to get there if you don't have any idea what it is.  You cannot create a path to something you have not identified. Engaging your team in a set of goals is almost impossible without the ability to tell them where they are going.

Last month we discussed the importance of realizing value from your business. As a business owner, your goal is not only to make your business run smoothly and efficiently, but to design and grow a business that will eventually sell for a price that is worth your time and efforts.   With the onset of September, now is a critical time for you to conduct a checkup on your business so that you can ensure the business is prepared for success in the 4th quarter, into 2016 and beyond. By conducting a review of your business, you will be better able to find pieces that are out of alignment with your vision and correct minor issues before they become major problems.