Forums: Discussions for entrepreneurs and small business.

Hello everyone,

I believe strongly that Technology Integration should be a basic piece of starting your business.  I was listening to a podcast (April 8, 2006) where Allan (Hope I spelled your name right) asked some questions.  You can see from http://www.picopad.com that his great product is clearly not technical.  However, he is using technology to drive sales and marketing. 

Just a sidebar, I guess you cannot get as technical minded as me, but you cannot sometimes just beat a sticky pad or PicoPad.  Anyway,  I am sure Allan uses technology in all aspects of  his business.   The point I want to make is Technology should be a critical part of every business no matter what the product.  

I wonder if you all have seen that Saturday Night Live skit “Nick, Your Company’s Computer guy?”  This is NOT they way IT should be ran.  I have a whole idea about computer people and qualifications that is out of the scope of this post.  Frankly, many people in the field do not have the proper experience or lack the entrepreneurial spirit to provide the complete IT package for a company just starting a business.

IT is a passion.  Everything should invest your dollar in should somehow positively affect your bottom line.  As a small business you can have the same tools as the large businesses.  You spend money on marketing to improve sales.  IT traditionally has been viewed a cost center.  Money you spend on IT should help your sales, marketing, and serve your customers.  IT should save you time, money, and improve your business. 

Here are some qualities you should look for in your IT Advisors (Internal or External based):

• Entrepreneurial Spirit – a business focused IT guy (this is rare)
• Strong Technical Knowledge (I mean strong understanding of systems not just a guy who can get a desktop working)
• Passion for IT --  The best IT people breath IT, but be careful you want to make sure they have entrepreneurial spirit.
• Ability to build a solid IT infrastructure on a limited budget.
• Understand Business Workflows and IT Integration
• Nutshell:  You want an IT Jedi! 

If you all have any questions or simply a business woe, post her on these forums.  Everyone here is quite clever and we may be able to wrap technical wrapper around your issue. 

-------------------------

Thanks,

Jake Necessary
Check my Profile for Messengers

Hello,

I like the article and for myself I am interested in getting into business for myself as a technical advisor.   Have you had any experience with what the market is like for the Technical Advisors. 

Thanks,

Darin

-------------------------

Darin Johnson
Systems Analyst
Cell #:(780) 904-9781

One of the most important qualities any IT person can have is the ability to communicate - and I don`t mean in techno-lingo.  An IT advisor that can communicate with a client/employer (verbally and in writing), in language that is easily understood by the average business person, is worth more than their weight in gold.

My partner started out in the IT industry while still a computer science student in college.  Everyone he came in contact with always complimented him on his communciation abilities.  For his first job interview, for a postion as IT manager of a two-office law firm, he placed the tagline "Computer geek with social skills" under his name at the top of his resume.   That line got the attention of the CEO and he was hired on the spot. (He`s since replaced the CEO who retired).

- J.






-------------------------

Jeff Fisher | Jeff Fisher LogoMotives | Tweet! Tweet!