Running a company of any kind means that you are likely to spend a lot of time in planning mode, mapping out the future for various elements of your business.
Whether it’s finances, growth strategy, marketing or just about any other critical component, most small business leaders would agree that winging it rarely yields the best results. Unfortunately, I see far too many businesses doing just that in one important area: technology.
It’s entirely understandable why this is the case. Technology is often viewed as nothing more than a set of tools (and a cost center) required to get work done as opposed to a strategic element of the business. The “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” mentality is pervasive in companies of all sizes, so there is a natural tendency to only think about technology when something needs to be replaced. This is especially true in organizations with little or no dedicated IT staff.
Free time is an incredibly finite resource for most small business leaders, so slowing down to map out a technology plan can feel like a luxury that many cannot afford. However, dedicating some time upfront can pay significant dividends in the long run. Here are four ways that your business can benefit from a formalized technology plan: