Technology and its cost

Technology has a lot to offer, but many get caught up in the hype.

I have many discussions with my clients where we discuss their use of technology. My experience has been to work with clients to identify what technology they use and to see that they are maximise their investment. Many businesses either make their technology purchased based on emotional or direct influence by other people, the so called experts. Its not until someone questions why and asks for the justification of the choice that they understand that many of their choices have not been in the interest of the business.

I have four simple rules to apply to any technology solutions that is proposed to a busines and that is:

1. Will it save me time,
2. Will it save me money,
3. Will it make me money, or
4. Will it do all of the above.

Unless the item or solutions is able to offer one of these rules then I have to questions it real benefit. A lot of the time technology decisions are taken by well intentional and very technical people, but a lot of the time the viability and return to the business is not considered. The decision usally are based on comfort and personal views.

This area of management needs to fall to the Knowledge Officer. This has been a position which I have indicated to many busineses. A Knowledge Officer is someone who not only is able to understand, research and apply technology. They have an understanding of the implication that a particular chocie will have on a buisness and the path the buisness will need to take.

Marc Dimmick

Learning and the future

The next level of learning will obiously be e-learning but are we ready?

I say this because there is still the train of thought that you need to have face to face contact. For some people that may be the case, but more and more people like myself want to learn but at their pace and at a time and place of their choosing. The electronic age provides just that environment, but we face a number of hurdels before it becomes an accepted way of learning.

Marc Dimmick

Success, a state of mind

Success is not what you have but what you are. If you are able to achive the goal you work to then that is success. And no matter how much you own you are not necessaraly successful.