This has always been one of my favorite sayings, and I’ve been saying it for at least fifteen years. With each passing year that truth seems to crystallize itself even more. While technology and its practitioners used to be on the fringe of society and business, in recent years they have been pushed to the forefront because businesses have learned that once you identify a problem, you have two options to fix it:
- Manpower: hire more people or work more hours.
- Automate: find new ways to complete old processes, typically with little or no human intervention.
While increasing headcount was historically the way to increase production, business leaders have realized that’s often the most expensive option and can introduce inconsistencies, bottlenecks, and issues with knowledge transfer. Technology, on the other hand, is often more expensive up-front but much better for the business in the long-term. That’s why today’s leading companies in every sector are also the ones that are most likely to invest in new technology. Technology makes them more agile, efficient, and profitable. Business and technology are more intertwined than ever, and the success of one is dependent on the other.
So what does that have to do with Lansing, Michigan? Our Midwest city is a hotbed for technology. We’re surrounded by some of the best schools in the country, have more scientists and engineers than any other state (except California), and because of the previous over-reliance on manufacturing, we are ripe for finding new ways to do things.
To help you find new ideas, we’ve started the Lansing Technology Leadership Blog Series. This series is a collaborative effort between several technology organizations, professionals, and the business community. It is generously supported by dozens of companies and organized by the Capital Area IT Council. The objective of the blog is to introduce new ideas and help people find new ways to accomplish their goals. Essentially we’re providing a platform for business and technology to align with each other. Whether you’re a technology provider, insurance company, manufacturer, or small business owner, you will find topics that can make a difference in your business.
The blog will feature various thought leaders throughout the series. Some will be of a more technical bent, while others will focus on business benefits. The goal of the effort is to make the posts a quick and interesting read, easily understandable, and to create a platform for discussion.
Let us know what you think. We would love your feedback and welcome your ideas.
With Respect,
Bil Moore
President, Capital Area IT Council
About the contributor…
Bil Moore is a Technology Consultant for Strategic Products & Services. Over the course of his career, he has been involved in hundreds of technology projects and specializes in VoIP and Unified Communications for small and medium-sized businesses. With Bil’s help, his clients have saved a combined 1.3 million dollars over the past 4 years while becoming even more competitive in their marketplace. In addition to serving as President of the Capital Area IT Council for the past 2 years, Bil serves on several other boards in the area and has had dozens of his articles published in magazines and newspapers.
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