Reinvention: Utilizing Technology

The information gained from Lesson 1: Assessment will help a company focus on specific areas for making changes in their day to day business operations. One of the major areas where a company can and must improve is in utilizing technology.

Technology has made it easier for smaller and larger companies to improve business and business processes to a degree never before seen.  From Internet advertising to using software to automate functions, from instituting Standard Operating Procedures to formatting e-mail communications, technology saves a company time and money.  

Companies can proactively identify opportunities for system and business process improvement by assessing current and emerging systems for their ability to meet their business requirements. 

1. Analyze, plan, design and implement solutions to assist business units in meeting their needs
2. Use software to automate as many functions as possible so that resources’ time can be used for tasks that are more critical to business success

A recent client needed to consolidate databases and servers across three regions to ensure the consistency and accuracy of data input and reporting. By improving the functionality of their existing software applications, they gained efficiencies in numerous ways.

A couple years ago, a client wanted to improve their order taking, order processing and configuring systems and link it to inventory control. We implemented a CRM software solution to streamline and integrate these different functions.

On a simplier front, companies can utilize technology for information sharing among employees: 

1. Intranet - develop an Intranet to keep departments/employees interested and informed. Share information, success stories, and ideas between departments.
2. Online Newsletter - if a company is really small and an Intranet is not cost effective, then create a monthly online newsletter.
3. Online Training Courses – use technology as a teaching tool to help workers develop job related skills.

 By doing online courses, the focus is on learning something else and while doing that there is an increase in comfort level in using a computer and computer skills are also improved. I taught an online Business English communications course for a client in Osaka from my office in New York.

Whether internally or externally, utilizing technology can help a company:

1. Streamline functions and improve efficiency
2. Advertise
3. Research
4. Inform and Educate
5. Organize
6. Standardize procedures
7. Sell products
8. Report on performance

Technology has allowed me to operate my small company on an international scale. It can help any company do what it does better, faster and more efficiently. From the simplest function to the most complicated, use technology where you can.

Lesson 3 of our Reinvention series will appear on Wednesday: New Ways to Market Your Company.

Previous articles in this series:

Introduction: Smaller Japanese and U.S. firms are in Need of a Reinvention

Lesson 1: Assessment

Comments

[Roy]

Dear Yvonne,

I learned a lot from your site. Please pass my website on to a few of your contacts. Thanks. Roy.

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Technology is always a great thing, also very important is optimization of website

[chris]

CRM software really has done wonders in developing any company infrastructure.

http://www.gadgetadvisor.com

[high roller]

I learned a lot from your site. Please pass my website on to a few of your contacts.