[LINK] "I don ¹ t understand computers" is not an excuse!

[Stilgherrian]

Gentler Linkers.

I reckon that here in the 21st Century a business manager can't get away
with "I don't understand computers" any more. IT and the Internet are a core
component of running most businesses -- except maybe a shoe-shine stand --
and managers should be across this arena as much as they're across money or
insurance or IR laws relating to their industry.

So I've written an article aimed at small business owners to sketch out this
idea. It's deliberately provocative, but it also includes a list of what
managers should be across. Have I got it right?

The kind of businesses I'm thinking of here are a small factory with 20
production staff and a back-office of 5, or a chain of half a dozen shoe
stores, or a small PR firm with 3 or 4 staff.

Obviously small businesses at the upper end of the range (50 to 100 staff)
are likely to have a full-time IT person, so this article isn't aimed at
them.

Any comments or additions? Here on Link or there on my website, it's all
good.

Stil

...

I don¹t understand computers" is not an excuse

If you own or manage a business that handles information (and which business
doesn't?) then you must understand computers and the Internet. If you don't,
you're incompetent. Yes, that's right, you heard me. Incompetent.

There, I've said it. Now, with that out of the way, let me explainŠ

I don't mean you need to know how computers work, or how to set them up,
program them, maintain them or fix them when they break. You don't need to
know how to connect a computer to the Internet, build a website or any of
that stuff either.

However you should know enough to make effective decisions about how they're
used in your business. You should know how the leaders in your industry are
using the technology. You should be aware of developments that might affect
your plans.

In short, you don't need to know the technology itself, but you do need to
know its implications for your business...

Read on at:
http://stilgherrian.com/internet/managers_must_understand_computers/


-- 
Stilgherrian http://stilgherrian.com/
Internet, IT and Media Consulting, Sydney, Australia
mobile +61 407 623 600
fax +61 2 9516 5630
ABN 25 231 641 421