Technology in a Changing World

In today’s business landscape, every organization functions as a software/technology company. Years ago, if you said you worked for a software company, that literally meant your company sold software and you therefore identified as a “software nerd”. Fast forward to today, where software and technology are everywhere. Adoption, integration, and development of your technological footpath is the future for many businesses.

The pandemic has really exposed those companies still operating with an outdated technical infrastructure. If you are a restaurant with a weak web presence and a dated phone system, it’s a lot harder to adjust to a carry-out-only scenario. The restaurants that quickly integrated with food delivery services and updated their online ordering capabilities are experiencing steady business during the pandemic.

Companies that had already migrated away from traditional phones for Voice over IP (VoIP) found the transition to an at-home workforce much more seamless.  Companies, both large and small, got a crash course in online collaboration tools like Zoom, Skype, and MS teams. The companies that were already utilizing these tools are thriving in this “new normal”. 

Think of some of the iconic companies that failed over the past few years. I’m sure if we look beyond the headlines, we will find that these companies failed to adopt technology and operating changes in their competitive space.

I found an article from 1996 where the leadership team at Sears was in the process of selling their early stake in the “competitive on-line services industry”. Sears had a 10 year head start on Amazon and eBay.  Arguably, a 100-year head start. Those who adapt and change the quickest WIN. 

There are few things I’ve seen companies do to adopt to new technology quickly.   Here at BullsEye, we have a team of forward-thinking people that are constantly evaluating new technology. I’m finding more and more technology partners that are willing to let you try their products, risk- free. We have a similar risk-free offering with our VoIP and SD-WAN products.

We support these risk-takers even when they fail!  It’s ok to swing and miss. As with most companies, there is always pressure to grow and maintain the status quo. But I’d say that many companies are more focused on growth and less on the status quo. 

At BullsEye, we had a Pandemic Plan in place when the first local COVID-19 case was reported. We made sure all employees had the tools they needed if we had to institute a work-from-home order. Our trial day was March 13, 2020 and we have successfully been remote since that day. By already having the collaboration tools in place, our employees were prepared to do their jobs away from the office, and as a matter of fact, from just about anywhere.

As we come out of this pandemic, we are likely to see several businesses that didn’t make it. I’m going to suggest that many closures were due to a failure to adapt to change. The companies that were pro-active and nimble saw the changes coming, set a plan, and executed quickly. Businesses that embraced this change are most likely the ones that remain in business today.