Using technology as a business tool...
Where should you buy your computer? |
Using technology as a business tool... Where should you buy your computer? |
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Some of my analogies may seem a bit much at first, but having been involved in the technology business for many years, I'm always asking sales and service professionals their opinions of products. And when I'm about to plunk down a month's salary to take home this large white box, I want to know that the people I'm buying from actually have some idea of what they are selling me. There are many parallels to sound financial planning and sound technology planning. There are many do-it-yourselfers in both areas, as the mail order industry thrives in both professions. There are many investments you can do through the mail, without ever having to deal with a local agent or broker. The same is true in the computer field, where you may never see a local representative. In both cases, you may never know just how good a company is, until you have a problem. If you keep your personal finances on your computer, or use it as a tool in your business, then poor technology planning can cripple you every bit as much as poor financial planning. Look at your technology consultant as someone who helps you plan a way of doing things, rather than someone who just sells you a product. If you find someone you trust, and work with on a regular basis, many of your common questions will be answered before you have a chance to ask them. As you plug more and more devices into that basic desktop unit, and eventually use that one desktop unit to communicate with others, questions regarding the total system will arise. The more critical your usage, the more critical a total system approach becomes. Buying the cheapest desktop computer, with the cheapest modem, with the cheapest scanner, can be a nightmare of getting all the components to work together. Just like any other business professional, you need to feel good about the person, as well as the company, you are dealing with. In planning where to buy make a few notes. Is the place you are buying the equipment from the authorized service agent for the equipment? In a total system, does the agent have the capability of installing other options at a later date? No matter how easy someone makes it sound, adding on something later can pose a compatibility problem. Even the smallest of problems can take hours for you to resolve yourself, but may be well worth a simple shop visit or service call by a dealer who is very familiar with the application. If you think of a computer as a tool, to organize your life, or increase your productivity, then where you buy your computer should be more of an ongoing relationship, rather than a one time occurrence. Look at technology like you do other aspects of your life, the product simply fills the need, If the person you are buying from doesn't fully understand your need, you will ultimately be disappointed by the outcome. The best analogy I ever heard on defining value: if you knew you had to jump out of a plane, where would you buy a parachute? Someone who'd been in the business for awhile might be able to help. I know I'd try to find a place that specialized in parachutes. I know I wouldn't trust buying it from the Cheapo-mart. If you think of a computer as a tool, to organize your life, or increase your productivity, then where you buy your computer should be more of an ongoing relationship, rather than a one time occurrence. |
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