The Case of the Vanishing Technology

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The Case of the Vanishing TechnologySee full color web version at:http://www.SeniorManagementServices.com/pvt-89-vanishing-technolog.htmlAre you vulnerable to this hazardous, expensive problem?======...
The Case of the Vanishing TechnologySee full color web version at:http://www.SeniorManagementServices.com/pvt-89-vanishing-technolog.htmlAre you vulnerable to this hazardous, expensive problem?============================================================The first hint of trouble...============================================================Here's a typical scenario.About 18 months ago, I visited a successful high-techcompany. Sa1es were down.But, management viewed the situation as temporary.
Besides,they were designing new products - they had "strong hopes"for either getting more venture capital or being acquiredby a rich company.Meanwhile, they had to "downsize" because of decliningsa1es.============================================================Then things got worse!============================================================Sadly, in less than 1 year, they terminated 68% of theiremployees and friends. Worse, they lost much more than "just" people! They lost their technology plus the mon^ey spent to develop their technology.Why?Because their technology walked out the door with eachemployee terminated ...
thus, without those particularemployees - and what only they knew - they weredisorganized, literally out-of-business and didn't evenknow it! (They still had hundreds of employees!)Typical of many companies, much too little of theirtechnology was organized and written down. Nobody couldpick up the ball when people left! Without product documentation, without written standards and procedures (and technical processes, strategic plans, etc.) - without adequate documentation they were faced with reinventing their own "wheel!" (Sound familiar?)============================================================Did they survive?============================================================Were they able to reinvent their wheel, or sell thedisorganized company with its undocumented technology?No.Their building n0w stands empty, another needless casualtyof what I call, "Vanishing Technology."They, like many, discovered that the hazards of inadequatedocumentation are an even B I G G E R hazard when timesare tough!============================================================Why it happens over and over again...============================================================Actually, most business managers don't understand theconnection between product development and documentation -and how to get the most out of them.The fact is, you will produce better products, faster andcheaper, if you understand the part that documentation playsin product and business development - and how you canintegrate it into the process of building of your successfulposition in the market place.
This is not a new idea. Yet, ideas are one thing; action is another.The plain truth is most people hate to write documentation.For most people it's hard, tedious work that demands a lotof time, discipline, and rigorous attention to detail.That's why most people delay writing any type ofdocumentation as long as possible! Many, wait until thelast minute, then give the problem to a "writer" andtiptoe silently away.
(Good Luck!)============================================================Can you afford the risk?============================================================Are you risking the loss of your most valuable assets,people, business processes, and intellectual property?Here's what a manager told me about his own tragedy, whichplagues America's companies today: "Due to our downsizing, our most valuable assets ... our people ...our business processes ...our intellectual property ...literally walk out the door.
Without those particular employees and what only THEY knew - we're *****ed!! "Worse ...sooner or later, they will work for our competitors!" -- D.H., Manufacturing MangerIf you're the boss, it's on your shoulders! What do you don0w?============================================================How do you protect yourself from Vanishing Technology?============================================================You can protect yourself from Vanishing Technology byapplying the business development techniques I have named"Profitable Venture Tactics" (PVT).You can use PVT to enrich your business whether you're asmall startup or a huge corporation.If you are downsizing, use PVT to help retain your bestpeople, your business processes, intellectual property,and energize your remaining staff! "You can't shrink your way to greatness." -- Tom PetersPVT can help you build your business to survive the hardtimes! (But, it is best to act before your company becomesa "sinking ship.")If you're enduring uncontrolled growth, you can use PVT togain balance. PVT helps you accelerate product development.You can inspire new action in project management......You can create new products for changing markets.
Youcan change low production into high per^formance. You canstreamline production for manufacturing problems.PVT helps you turn dissatisfied customers and skepticalexecutives into loyal fans.And, Profitable Venture Tactics help you relieve thepressure and worry - so you can sleep at night.============================================================Why Vanishing Technology happens repeatedly...============================================================I'm sure you recognize that the problem of VanishingTechnology is not new.
Imagine the frustration of watchingcompanies sink like leaky ships. You point to the leaks.But, their crews say, "We have no time to patch leaks.
We're too busy sailing for the gold."When you suffer Vanishing Technology, your company is likethat sinking ship. And you know you cannot sail a leakyship...very far.To develop a "seaworthy" business, you - or someone - mustwrite the right stuff to help you build your business likea leak-proof hull.Documenting your business is the work of "businessdevelopment."Yet, when business booms people say...
"We don't have time to write ... too many projects ...
it is not a priority n0w... we'll get to it later...
yada... yada...
yada..."But, have you noticed when there's a business bust, peoplehave plenty of time to write CYA Memos and resumes? Bottomline: Nobody writes the documents vital to your business!That's why you see Vanishing Technology happen repeatedly.============================================================What can you do?============================================================To prevent Vanishing Technology, you must develop yourbusiness to survive hard times.This means you must curtail dependence on "key people" andtheir tacit "tribal knowledge." (If your business needsexceptional people, you cannot hope to produce consistentresults.)This means you - or someone - must write down your keybusiness processes! This means you must work ON yourbusiness as you work IN your business. As they say,"Publish or perish!"You must develop and document a result producing system - aSYSTEM that amplifies ordinary skills and abilities intoextraordinary results.Profitable Venture Tactics can help you create the rightdocumentation to integrate four steps to success:1.
Organizing,2. Planning,3.
Developing, and4. Operating your business.============================================================Summary============================================================Are you risking the loss of your most valuable assets ...your people ...your business processes ...your intellectualproperty? The plain truth is most people hate to writedocumentation...And this leads directly to VanishingTechnology.When you suffer Vanishing Technology, your company leakslike a sinking ship.By applying the business development techniques I call"Profitable Venture Tactics," you can protect yourselffrom Vanishing Technology and build your business like aleak-proof hull.Documenting your business is the work of "businessdevelopment." This means you must work ON your businessas you work IN your business.Don't let Vanishing Technology stunt the growth of yourbusiness!Best Regards,Mike Hayden, Principal/ConsultantYour partner in streamlining business.PS.
If you're not on our P V T Roster, sign up (fr#e) at:http://www.SeniorManagementServices.com* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *(c) 2004 Mike Hayden, All rights reserved. You may usematerial from the Profitable Venture Tactics eZine inwhole or in part, as long as you include completeattribution, including live website links and email link.
Article Tags: Vanishing Technology, Business Development, Most People, Most Valuable, Business Processes, Venture Tactics Source: Free Articles from ArticlesFactory.com .