IT Strategy in a Small Business

Should you have one?

IT can be an incredibly powerful tool for any business – from stand-alone PCs through to fully integrated networks which allow you to share resources and communicate both within your business and also with customers anywhere in the world.

Benefits of Developing and Maintaining IT Strategy in Small Business

• You control your IT rather than it (IT) control you!
• Makes explicit why you are undertaking certain projects – your staff, customers and suppliers will be more likely to understand and work with you to help achieve improved customer service, product etc.
• The process of regularly reviewing your IT Strategy provides you the opportunity to consider whether technological advances have implications for your business
• Maintaining an IT Strategy increases delivery of benefits – due to repeated and increased focus on efficiency, effectiveness and edge (The Three "E"s)

Strategic Benefits IT can Deliver to Small Business – "The Three Es"

• Efficiency – cost savings
• Effectiveness – doing a better job (not the same job better) and so increase Return on Assets
• Edge – add value to the product by improvement or differentiation; improve delivery and support of the product; develop NEW ways of doing NEW business

Making IT work for small business