1. TECHNOLOGY & COMPETITVE ADVANTAGE
Are you involved in running a business? Are you someone who is technologically astute or are
you someone who has not embraced or mastered the use of technology? Incorporating
technology into your business can be an invaluable asset. You will learn how using technology
can help businesses gain a competitive advantage.
Have you not equipped the employees with a computer? If not, you could be
making a mistake, especially if you have employees such as call center
workers who have to process information while talking with customers or
survey respondents over the telephone. I did this type of work.
As a telephone interviewer working for a market research firm, I was
responsible for recording the responses that the respondents I interviewed
gave me. For a while, I had to always write down the responses. This
process was inefficient because it took a while to write down the
respondents' answers, causing an inconvenience for both the interviewers
and the respondents. Once our supervisors started having us do all of the
surveys on a computer, we started conducting surveys much quicker and I
started completing at least one survey every hour. This new method of
conducting surveys probably gave our firm an advantage over market
research firms that only conduct surveys through the pencil and paper
process.

2. SOME GOOD REASONS WHY COMPANIES
WHO USE TECHNOLOGY GAIN A COMPETITIVE
EDGE
 Technology is considered by many to be the backbone in the modern
business environment. Almost every industry has been touched by
technology in some shape or form, and today information technology (IT) is
driven by business processes as opposed to just being equipment run in
some basement facility.
 Companies who do not embrace technological growth are going to endure a
lot of hardship trying to remain competitive in their respective industries
because rest assured their competitors are working hard to gain the
advantage.
 As a result many companies have to reevaluate their positions and see how
IT can fit into their business. While a company's success is driven by what
they want to make of it, those who do not evolve with technology may reach
enough profit to remain sustainable and keep afloat, but they likely won't
reach their potential.
 Technology is pretty powerful tool and can offer a wealth of information if
used strategically. When implemented with strategy in mind, IT can give a
terrific competitive advantage.
 Here are some good reasons why companies who use technology gain a
competitive edge:

3. TECHNOLOGY EFFECT AUTOMATION
 IT can be used to enhance your current business operations by streamlining task
processes and putting them to automation. Some of the more mundane tasks which
are time consuming can simply be automated and set to run almost seamlessly in the
background.
 Using IT for these kinds of processes can eliminate man-hours on tasks that don't
require human intervention and saves network resources by eliminating data
redundancy and keeping the integrity of data stored in relational databases.
 *Save on Man-Hours
 With automation, faster processing occurs and important data is available at
everyone's fingertips. This saves a lot more time than if staff members had to dig
through filing cabinets and other physical storage areas to find information.
 Through the use of computers and specialized information systems, changes can be
seen in real time and decision makers can be confident they are seeing the most up
to date information rather than scanning through reports that quickly become
outdated until new ones are generated.
 Additionally, daily tasks are run more efficiently, and this ultimately saves time, money
and cuts back on man-hours.
 *New Innovation and Growth
 Using technology for the routine tasks that don't necessarily require a human touch or
a need for active decision making paves the road for more growth and innovation to

4. EFFECT OF TECHNOLOGY
 Automating certain processes frees up employees to focus on the business'
core competencies and have more time to come up with new innovative
ideas.
 Many businesses are hesitant to take on the cost of technology if they have
no system or if their systems are outdated and in need of a total overhaul.
This resistance is understandable as it is never wise to invest in IT just to
keep up with the Jones' business.
 IT has to be a custom and good fit in order to be successful; the purchased
equipment must be able to serve a purpose and be a part of the company's
overall business plan.
 That being said, perceiving technology as a steep expense (and yes it often
is!), management may be better off instead viewing it as a potential
opportunity and a way to gain a competitive advantage.
 Plans to install new IT systems can succeed or fail depending on how the
strategy is visualized and potential explored. Other companies are investing
energy in remaining competitive in the market and those who do not
embrace some sort of technology are not going to be able to remain in the
same league as those who have found a good strategy with technology.
 Many successful businesses have figured out how to use IT to their
advantage and make it a part of their organization. These companies
understand that technology is a powerful and strategic tool, and one which
can help position the company to be at a competitive advantage when used

5. EFFECT OF TECHNOLOGY
 If you provide your employees a computer or any other form of technology, you
should do more than that. You should also frequently upgrade any equipment
and equipment accessories such as computer software that you use when new
products or software are made. If you do this, you will likely gain an advantage
over competitors who stick with outdated equipment.
Businesses that use technology can produce work better than businesses that
do not. If all work is done solely through human effort, it is likely the work will be
done too slowly and contain too many errors.
Does your business have a web site? If not, you should get one because many
people prefer to do business and learn about companies online.
Another advantage you can gain from using technology is being able to attract
and retain quality employees. After all, if you have employees who can use
advanced or new technology, you will likely have to pay them a good wage.
You have learned how using technology can give your business a competitive
advantage.