Switchfast Blog: The Future of IT
IT-Business Convergence: The Key to Company Evolution
Wednesday, May 26, 2010 by Matt Hymel
Small business owners find that choosing an IT provider is a
very important decision. After all, the company you choose must be
willing to undertake the hardships and shortcomings that you have
already accepted as inevitabilities down the road of growth and
success. This company must have the desire, passion, and motivation
that match your business demands. There must be an understanding:
IT must help maintain the business internally and grow it
externally.
Small businesses are looking to grow - and IT professionals
should be helping.
In an article over at computerworld.com, author Julia King
talks about certain companies and their choice to go with a model
of forged IT-business alignment as opposed to business outsourcing.
These companies enjoy a high level of organizational efficiency
thanks to an organizational business philosophy that focuses on
common goals.
Zappos.com and Vanguard are two examples of companies where
"business and IT are virtually indistinguishable." Other companies
with similar situations include Procter & Gamble, Progressive,
and Southwest Airlines.
Here are some excellent signs regarding the relationship between
the companies and their IT solution, or "IT-Business Convergence".
Companies with a high degree of IT-business convergence do the
following:
- View IT as an innovation engine that continually transforms the
business, often enabling new revenue streams.
- Regard their customers as kings and view customer service, both
internal and external, as supreme.
- Rotate business and IT staffers across departments and job
functions.
- Provide an overarching goal that is crystal clear to each and
every IT and business employee.
- Ensure that IT employees know how the company makes (or loses)
money.
- Create a distinct, vibrant and unique company culture.
CIO Ray Voelker of Progressive points out that "it's hard to be
effective in your job if you can't speak the language and
understand all of the terms and the dynamics of the business." The
idea of information transparency is a telling sign that IT-business
convergence is in full swing.
The results of a successful, transparent IT-business convergence
can be incredibly fruitful. In the case of Vanguard, from 2001 to
2010, assets grew from $580 billion to $1.4 trillion, with
technology playing a major role. Zappos.com recorded gross
merchandise sales of more than $1 billion in 2009 before being
bought by Amazon.com.
Small businesses have the ability to grow at an alarming rate -
technology can help alleviate this transition and further assist
with every aspect of a developing company. Don't be afraid to
entrust your goals and shortcomings to IT - they should possess the
same drive and desire to help your business succeed.
Until Next Time -
Matthew Hymel
Switchfast Technologies
Chicago IT Support &
Consulting
Rochester
IT Support & Consulting
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