Using Technology

(FIRST DRAFT - the below has yet to be Proofed & edited)

The best of the new breed of businesspersons know how to use technology to their advantage. Not too long ago, every executive had a secretary do their typing and keep their calendar; and other support staff for their presentations, statistics, graphics, etc. That will not be the case with today’s executive on the go.

Today’s executive uses a Personal Information Manager for their email, calendar, and contact’s database; a spreadsheet application to crunch their numbers and to make forecasts; a presentation manager for their slideshows and proposals; financial software for current financial standings and projections; a good command of a word processor application; and at least a basic knowledge of graphics program.

The better executive’s no longer have secretaries – they have personal assistants. Much work is done while traveling – while waiting for a plane, on a plane, in the hotel; or at home in the evening or on weekends. In today’s world, successfully businesspersons know how to adapt to a changing situation quicker and better than their competition. You had better know how to type, and use all of the technology required to make last minute changes to spreadsheets, presentations, and documents.

You will find many instances where you leave to visit a client or customer with one presentation, but learn of information that makes that presentation obsolete. You may have only one opportunity to make an adjustment, which makes you appear to have understood the client’s needs better than your competition appeared to have. Many last minute adjustments have been the difference between winning and losing.

All successful businesses make full use of information technology on one network (with different levels of access) merging it all together for the businessperson to see where they are today, where they were at sometime in the past, and what it will take to get to where they need to be in the future. If the businessperson does not personally know how to make full use of that information – they do a disservice to themselves and their company.

Additionally, today’s executive will need to have a better than basic understanding of computers and systems he uses – to where they can fix 95% of what goes wrong with their computer. Problems with personal computing devices, their operating systems, and their software happen at the most inopportune times. The executive’s ability to deal with it and get back to work will make or break many deals.

There is a misconception that some people take to technology better than others do. While that might appear to be the case – the reality is that some people try harder to understand and use technology than others. Getting up to speed with using available technology is not easy, will not happen overnight, and is a task never finished. Technology is a moving target. Those executives that continue to hone their skills with be able to move at the same speed as progress. Those who will not make the effort to get current and stay current with technology – will fall behind.

If you are computer illiterate – start to change that today.