Technology Partners for Small Business
- Jeff Davis
- Apr 11, 2020
- 2 min read
It's been said that every company these days is a technology company. What is meant by that is that pretty much every organization out there needs technology to compete so they spend a fair amount of time and money to integrate technology into their marketing, management and delivery models. This is true of consulting, trades, healthcare and hair salons. It really doesn't matter what your core competency is, you will likely need software for things like marketing, accounting and general management of your day to day activities.
Large companies throw millions of dollars every year at their software solutions but small companies don't have the luxury of those deep pockets. Furthermore, smaller organizations don't have the ability to absorb as many delays and failures in the development process. I have seen larger companies throw away more money on a single failed project than most smaller companies make in a year. However, this does not mean that technology is out of reach for the smaller companies. They just need to find solutions that fit and partners that are willing to navigate their unique needs.
Here are some steps that small companies can take to get the solutions they need...
Clearly define your core competencies - if you are a plumber then your core competency is making plumbing work. If you are an accountant then your skills are in numbers. If technology is not where your skills are, then there is a good chance that a technologist could provide new ideas with more effective implementation.
Define your investment - you must be able to articulate what you are investing and why. This is all about value. Any technology you build should have a tangible impact on your business and should support your strategy. Are you trying to accomplish more with fewer people? Do you need to present a more polished image? There are many reasons to invest in technology but make sure it is supporting your goals.
Spend time to find the right partner - there are thousands of companies out there that might work with you. You need to filter out the vast majority of them. When consultancies work with larger firms, they are typically discussing delivering value in the range of 6 and 7 digits in terms of dollars. Smaller organizations aren't always thinking that large. Therefore, they can't be spending that kind of money. Find a partner that is happy to work with smaller engagements and that has a delivery methodology that supports that approach.
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