|
Thursday, November 24, 2005
Ng: In business, being hot is not exactly cool
By Wilson Ng
Wired Desktop
I RECENTLY delivered a talk at a national conference on e-commerce. I was told to discuss new technologies that would be applicable to small and medium size businesses.
While I do understand that there are some businesses that are always on the lookout for the hottest and the latest technology, it is also true that there are many technologies that are ‘hot’ but hardly practical at their current stage or application. Some just might not be helpful at all.
Many small businesses have not yet mastered the “basics.” It is important to realize that in every business, how you manage important assets-be they cash, receivables, inventory, fixed assets—human resource, customers or information—is really the key.
Managing these assets is hardly “cool.” And nowadays, we don’t hear a lot of “cool” features on how to manage receivables better, or how to keep track of fixed assets well. Yet, this is the stuff that great companies are made of.
As an entrepreneur, we want to show people we are “cool,” and up-to-date. But in most sectors, particularly in technology, an entrepreneur normally thinks his technology is unique and the best. They think they can win in the marketplace solely on their passion and talent.
While it does give you an edge, it is important that you don’t dismiss the need to get somebody who can take care of basic operations and management. Somebody in the company should be in charge of the “boring” stuff, and make sure it is done well.
I can recall so many companies that think they have the best and the latest, but then they disappeared because they simply didn’t listen very well, or did not know how to collect their receivables.
This article therefore is not about “cool” stuff, but just a subtle reminder that we should not be too taken away by technology. Because in the end, a good business can still be a good business even without the latest technology.
What matters most is genuine like for people and one’s customers, and making sure they are taken care of.
More important than the hottest technology is remembering to greet customers good morning or even their birthdays. Listening to customers is more important than the most advanced customer relationship management or human resource information systems.
Watching conference participants nodding their heads, I knew I hit the nail on the head. Many of these businesses were losing customers simply because their sales people are late for their appointments or forget to follow up on their promises. These are things that the most sophisticated systems can help, but can never fix.
For me, the best hotel is still the place where they clean well, where the staff are responsive to your request, yet remain unobtrusive.
Businesses are, after all, still about people.
(November 24, 2005 issue)
Write letter to the editor. Click here.
Join the Sun.Star message board. Click here.
|
|
[return to top]
[home]
[network page]
|
LOCAL NEWS
BUSINESS
OPINION
SPORTS
LIFESTYLE
FEATURE
SUPERBALITA
WEEKEND
|
