What is Technology Alignment and Why do I Need It?
Technology is the lifeblood of your organisation – and you thought it was you. You may be the heartbeat and the very reason your business even exists, but to remain competitive these days (and the foreseeable future) and to operate at maximum efficiency your tech needs to be on point and in perfect alignment with all your business goals, both current and projected.
In this post, InfraZen, a leading North East managed services provider (that’s us), will walk you through technology alignment, what it is, why you need it and how it can transform your business, whether you are based here in the north east or elsewhere in the UK.
We’ll lift the proverbial hood to reveal practical steps you can take to assess your current tech stack, identify areas for improvement and implement changes that will save money and boost your bottom line while keeping you ahead of the competition.
Technology Alignment for the Small Business
As a business owner, you will more than likely have a business plan, a clear idea of what your day-to-day operations are, and realistic expectations of your staff – both now and projected – all leading toward a glorious profit margin and a great retirement plan.
For this to work you need your IT infrastructure and initiatives to be in perfect sync with your business. For SME’s in the North east of England, this is becoming increasingly crucial to stay competitive and cost effective.
Defining Technology Alignment
Technology alignment is all about making sure every piece of tech you invest in, services your every need and in the most efficient, time saving, profit generating and cost-effective way. You already do it with your own ‘human’ staff. You wouldn’t, for example, hire an employee whose day-to-day tasks aren’t geared towards driving your business forward. Your human workforce can also multi task and turn their hands to multiple applications within your business. Different staff members with certain specialities will often strategically join forces in order to achieve a specific goal – but when it comes to investing in technology, business owners can tend to be a little (or a lot) more ad-hoc.
According to milesoft.com, improved alignment between IT and business teams has resulted in enhanced collaboration, operational efficiency and a better customer experience.
Benefits of Technology Alignment for North East MSP’s
Being a proud north eastern MSP, InfraZen have helped many small to medium sized north east businesses with their technology alignment for many years. Investing in the right technology from the outset can really be a game changer. Typically our clients report:
- Saving money on unnecessary IT expenses.
- Dramatically improved productivity and efficiency.
- Smarter decision making through better data utilisation.
- A significant competitive advantage in our ever-evolving digital landscape.
The Role of Managed Service Providers in Technology Alignment
We all have our own specialisms and, unless you own or run a tech company then it is unlikely that your ‘industry specific’ tech knowledge will be good enough help your business develop and maintain a competitive edge. It is for this reason that MSP’s like InfraZen exist.
Partnering with an MSP can make a crucial difference when it comes to technology alignment. By leveraging the skills and expertise of a managed services provider you can concentrate on running your business safe in the knowledge that your IT systems are all taken care of. A reputable MSP will:
- Assess your current IT infrastructure.
- Understand your business goals.
- Develop a tailored strategy to align your technology with your business objectives.
Our north east clients have found that by embracing technology alignment, their IT systems are transformed from a cost into a revenue generator.
The Benefits of Technology Alignment for North East MSPs
Having worked with SME’s in the region for more years than I’d like to admit, InfraZen is uniquely placed to see the impact that effective technology alignment can have on your business – and these benefits go beyond mere cost reductions:
Strategic Advantages of Technology Alignment
When you align your technology with your business strategy, your IT is transformed from a support function to a powerful tool for achieving your objectives. This alignment ensures that every piece of tech you use contributes directly to your company’s growth and competitiveness.
According to a study from researchgate.net, SME’s in the North East that effectively leverage IT can overcome geographical barriers and access broader financing opportunities.
The impact of Technology Alignment on Cost Efficiency and Revenue Generation
When your technology is aligned properly with your business goals and processes it doesn’t just cut costs, your IT becomes a revenue generator. Technology alignment streamlines your processes and enhances your productivity helping you to maximise your resources.
We’ve also found that for a number of our North East based clients that conduct business outside the region, when their technology is in line with their business goals they have reported a significant financial benefit in terms of money saved and extra revenue generated.
The Impact on Technology Alignment on Enhanced Decision Making
When your e-business strategy is aligned with your overall business goals you automatically receive faster and better insights and data driven capabilities. The ever evolving Ai powered tools available means that business owners and managers can make more informed decisions.
According to advisedskills.com:
“…This strategic alignment is critical for optimizing decision-making processes and achieving long-term business objectives.”
Ai in business has long been held as a game changer when it comes to the handling huge data sets and generating reports in a fraction of the time that its ‘human’ counterpart could ever hope to achieve (read the full article from snowflake.com on this HERE).
“AI is able to sift through enormous amounts of data quickly, often in real-time, to uncover valuable insights that might be difficult or impossible for humans to identify. Demand forecasting is a prime example of this technology’s growing role in supported decision-making.”
From healthcare to transportation and logistics to manufacturing and finance Technology and Ai has become a necessity for businesses that want to both survive and thrive in today’s marketplace.
How can I Make Sure My Technology is Aligned with my Business Goals?
The shortest and easiest answer is to enlist the services of a reputable managed services provider. They are, after all, the experts in this field. But, if you’d like to get a little ‘hands on’ yourself you, can check to see how well your technology is aligned with your business goals by:
- Assess Your Current Technology
Begin by conducting a thorough audit of your existing technology stack. This includes hardware, software, and cloud services. Evaluate whether each tool or system supports your business processes efficiently. Are there redundancies or outdated technologies that slow down operations? If so, consider consolidating or upgrading to more streamlined solutions.
- Align with Strategic Objectives
Next, map your technology against your business’s strategic objectives. For instance, if your goal is to enhance customer engagement, assess whether your CRM system facilitates personalised interactions. Technology should act as an enabler, not a barrier, to achieving these objectives.
- Forecast Future Needs
Your business goals will evolve, and so should your technology. Forecast future needs by considering industry trends and your growth plans. Will you require advanced data analytics for decision-making? Or perhaps more robust cybersecurity measures as you expand? Anticipating these needs helps future-proof your technology investments.
- Engage Stakeholders
Include key stakeholders in the alignment process. Their insights can be invaluable in identifying gaps and opportunities. Cross-departmental collaboration ensures that technology solutions are well-rounded and cater to various business functions, preventing siloed decision-making.
- Measure Outcomes
Finally, set measurable KPIs to track how well your technology performs against your goals. Whether it’s increased operational efficiency, improved customer satisfaction, or enhanced data security, quantifiable results provide a clear picture of alignment and highlight areas for improvement.
It’s probably a good idea to mention that technology alignment isn’t a one-time task but an ongoing strategy. With regular evaluations and adjustments, your technology can remain a powerful ally in achieving your business aspirations. Don’t just keep up with the competition—outpace them by ensuring your tech stack is always in sync with your vision.
How Well is your Business Tech Performing?
If you’d like to know how well your technology stands up to achieving your business goals, take our quick test and see how well you measure up. Click on the link below.
