I’m just reading issue 67 of Start Your Business magazine.
page 14: 48% of firms buying technology they are not certain they need.
74% believe that implementing technology has not freed-up sufficient staff time to raise their company’s innovation or scope to be raised.
48% admit they are investing in substantial purchases of new technology without being certain the business really needs them.
and so the article goes on, pretty convincingly.
page 24: A recent survey by Bain & Co reported that 80% of companies believed that they delivered a ‘superior experience’.
In the same survey, only 8% of the companies’ clients also believed that the companies were delivering a ‘superior experience’. I repeat, EIGHT PER CENT!!!!!
and so it goes on, pretty convincingly
page 26: Why IT is vital to successful small businesses.
I was pleased to read recent research launched at the Epson Business Council, which highlighted that 51% of British small businesses believe that IT is an integral part of their drive for business growth, increased innovation and productivity.
Something isn’t adding up, and I think that I know what it is.
Tools and application. I can but a great sports car, but it won’t make me a great driver. I have a fantastic guitar, and know in the words of Paul Weller “got a pick in my pocket, doesn’t make me a player”.
After years of working on improving productivity through process and developing creativity and innovation, I would comment that the more efficiently you do the wrong things, the faster you go out of business.
There’s no doubt that IT in the right context, application and implementation can have a positive effect. Sticking SAP into a complex European business proved this to me. But, it is not quick or easy. Not at all. The benefits are there to be captured, but they are hard won. And if that makes it sound like a battle, that’s because it feels like a battle, and it needs commitment and resource to do it effectively.
The numbers don’t lie, but it’s best to take a broad view and interpret them well.
