Right Tech, Wrong Strategy?
Strategy can be described as the “art of planning the best way to gain an advantage or achieve success”. And in modern businesses, technology is one of the main drivers for creating overall success. So, why do so many firms fail to really explore how to really take full advantage of what modern computing systems can do?
At Be Astute, we have a lot of experience helping businesses of all sizes use technology better. And we have noticed some key themes:
· A lack of IT confidence at board level
· Technology budgets not being spent on the things that would have the biggest impact
· Lots of individual team projects as opposed to a holistic approach
And that lack of IT confidence at board level makes it much tougher to fix the other two points. If the board or business owners do not feel confident to navigate what is out there, and don’t know what the possibilities are, then it is not surprising when they don’t take advantage.
We don’t know what we don’t know.
But what to do about that? Well, the glib answer is to pay some consultants like us to come and tell you what to do, but there are plenty of things you can do before you get to that stage. Try thinking of the tech in your business, like tools in a toolbox. Most people don’t just buy tools without knowing what they want to fix or build. The same goes for technology.
Match the technology with Your Goals: Make sure the tech stuff you're getting actually helps you reach your goals. This stage requires you to be clear about what your business goals are, and the timescales you are needing to achieve them in. So, if you want to sell more online, start with a great website and a smooth checkout process. But beyond that think about what systems you would like the website to connect to – maybe your finance system or inventory management. And don’t be constrained by worrying if it can be done, we normally find client’s imaginations about the possibilities fall a long way short of what someone can build for you.
Know What You Have and What You Need: Take a look at what tech you already have. Make sure you talk to your team and look at what is actually lurking on their computers. Unless your network is completely bolted down, your staff will be using their initiative in how they go about getting stuff done for you. This is especially true when the systems they are supposed to use annoy them. Understanding that helps you make things better implement changes that will have a measurable impact. At Be Astute we do a lot of great work at this point; helping people see how their technology bolts together, where the gaps are, and looking at how we can streamline things. Be mindful as the boss that some of your staff will only tell you what they think you want to hear not their true thoughts – this can send you down a rabbit hole.
Data is Gold: Think of data as the secret sauce; collecting and analysing data can help you make smarter decisions. Just make sure you’re not drowning in numbers without any clue what they mean. The starting point is to think about the questions you need to be able to answer in your business and to make sure that your technology can easily and quickly give you those answers. This is a great starting point to help you make better procurement decisions – does the new technology help you answer these questions? If it doesn’t then don’t buy it. And remember, different departments and levels of staff hierarchy have different questions they need to be able to answer to do their jobs properly. Without getting repetitive, at Be Astute we spend a lot of time helping our clients and their teams work out the questions which need to be answered.
Choose Tech That Makes Sense for You: Just because something is shiny and new doesn't mean it's right for your business. Go for technology that solves your specific problems or makes your life easier. Try to step away from asking random strangers for their recommendations – their issues are not your issues, and who says they know any more than you do? Writing a list of the things you need your new technology to do and then assessing your options against it is a great way forward. It makes it much easier to torment interrogate that software salesman when you can ask them to demonstrate a particular feature that you know you need, rather than be swayed by features which sound sexy but add little value. Again, at Be Astute we help clients to develop this ‘requirements brief’ to translate what they do in their world into technology features.
Get Everyone on Board: If you're all about using cool new tech but your team is dragging their feet, it's not going to work. It also doesn’t work when your team are using it and you as the boss are sticking to the old ways. Create a vibe where everyone's excited about trying new things. Most tech projects fail for 2 reasons – choosing the wrong solution and failing to take the team along for the ride. Part of this cultural transformation is working out how you can make your team change how they work. This is just as much about how you are switching things off, and changing how you ask for information or run meetings so that people have no choice to use the new ways of working. Firm but fair boundaries applied with compassion are the key here, as well as lashings of training for all.
Keep It Safe: The more you rely on tech, the more you need to keep an eye on security. It’s like locking your doors at night. Make sure your digital stuff is protected so you don’t get a nasty surprise. Schemes such as Cyber Essentials are really useful at supporting you to do this well, and your IT department or outsourced provider should be all over this.
Stay Flexible: Technology changes fast. What’s cool today might be old news tomorrow. Be ready to switch gears if something better comes along or if something you're using now gets outdated.
Did It Work? Don’t just throw money at tech without checking if it’s actually helping. Whether it’s making things faster, getting more customers, or making more money, there should be a clear sign that it’s worth it, which should be measured using realistic KPIs with data analytics to help guide you because data never lies.
So, it’s not just about having the latest gadgets or software. It’s about being smart with what you pick, making sure it aligns with where you want to go, and always being ready to learn and adapt. Keep it practical, stay safe, don’t forget to check if it’s doing what you hoped it would. And think about using a part time technology grown up to help advise you if it is all too scary. If that sounds like something you would like to know more about, book a free no obligation chat here: https://calendar.be-astute.co.uk/book-a-call-with-jula-stock-be-astute