Small businesses often launch with manual processes that the owner and the initial support team create. As the business grows, processes become more complex and more people are added to manage the business. Occasionally, these manual processes are augmented with standardized accounting packages and computer spreadsheets. This combination of manual processes cobbled together by spreadsheets is both the enabler for continuing existing operations and a constraint against achievi

Entrepreneurs and small business owners struggle with finding enough time to get everything done in a day. As the business launches and grows, the few people working in it are stretched thin performing every task to acquire and serve customers, build and deliver products and services and manage operations and production. As the list of new customers grows, the mad scramble to keep up with demand becomes increasingly challenging. Any method is acceptable to get the job done an

CRM, SCM, FAS, ESS, ECM and BPA are just a few of the endless stream of acronyms and buzzwords that confront small business owners searching for good software solutions to automate key business functions. The promises of many cloud-based software solutions to automate key functions of a business are impressive. The ability of the technology sales rep to speak an entirely different language using English words injected with acronyms, jargon and unique expressions is equally im

The advent of handheld devices and universal internet access has accelerated the demand for user-friendly applications that exploit the capability of these devices to deliver rich user experiences. Indeed, the software development community has evolved to adapt and support the demands for rapid application development with Agile Development methodologies. In addition, the software development community conveniently divides itself into those who specialize in user interface an

Business leaders rely on a few essential financial measurements to gauge their business performance. These start with the ‘the bottom line’ or net profit, sales growth, expense trends and cash flow. A slightly deeper dive into sales management, production, customer service or supplier management processes and practices can reveal a lot about the operating performance of the business that helps to focus attention on needed improvements. To appreciate fully the effect of a sign

Few organizations, if any, inside a corporation can have a bigger impact on overall operating productivity than the IT department. The expertise of IT resources are crucial to lead ‘strategic’ process improvement initiatives to automate inefficient business processes, streamline the integration between business systems both internal and those of suppliers, facilitate access to information to support decision making, enable entirely new methods for reaching and managing custom

Drive along a road riddled with potholes and you will find yourself concentrating heavily on the path immediately in front of you. You slow your pace as you swerve to avoid the ruts that can destroy the tires and suspension of your vehicle. A long road such as this will make for a very uncomfortable and tiresome journey and it will take you much longer than you anticipated. Switch over to the smoother lane and you see that you can relax, focus farther ahead and increase your