Take time, step back for 'big picture' perspective

A big difference exists between working on your business and working in your business. So many times we work in our business surrounded by day-to-day issues, problems and people to the extent that we rarely take time to sit back and see the big picture perspective of where we are, what we're doing and where we're going.

Most busy professionals need to set aside a time to work on their businesses. Try doing this at least once a week. And the next time you do, give some thought to your company's information technology system.

If you're like many of our clients, your information technology system was probably built (patched together) over the past couple of years. It works, so why knock it?

You have good people who watch over the system and make it run, even though it might look to Bill Gates like the Mir space station out of date and out of air.

Give some thought to performing an information technology assessment. Briefly, here's how it works:

Put together a team. The team should be small and include your professional in charge of information technology, the owner and other management. It's recommended that an outside consultant facilitate an information technology assessment.

This gives your team objectivity and someone who understands what other companies are doing with their information technology systems.

Review your business processes. Answer these questions: What do we do? How do we do it? Why? For whom? Then examine what information you need to meet the objectives of each of your business processes.

Compare what you need to what you are receiving from your information technology system. Identify the gaps and discuss solutions. Decide what software and hardware you need and what business processes you should upgrade first.

Implement the plan. You may not be able to close all the information gaps in a short time frame because budget and other restrictions may apply. Considering the priorities you have set, create a plan for implementation. Don't put off upgrading your technology just to meet daily business needs. You may run out of air!

Remember, if you don't take time to work on your business, you may find yourself not in business anymore.

(Greg Horton is a partner and head of the technology solutions group of Whitlock, Selim & Keehn LLP, CPAs and business consultants.)