How to make good Information Technology decisions - Part 1

I have spoken to a lot of different people about the purchase of IT equipment over the last 20+ years.  Many of the people I have spoken to have come to me with a vague idea that putting some computer system in place will make their life better.  Often this is the case because they have come to the decision to purchase without having thought through what they are doing properly.  This is usually because they are aware they have a need but are struggling to work out how to make the decision.

Over the next few weeks I intend to provide a framework that can be used to help make wise IT purchases.  This framework can, and should, be used regardless of the size or type of purchase.  With small purchases the framework can generally be used in your head to help guide you to a good decision.  The larger the purchase, the more formal and detailed the process should be.

Essentially the framework revolves around three key questions.  They are:

1. What For
2. How Long
3. How Much

When these 3 questions are answered properly, you can make a wise purchase.  Leave any one of them unanswered and you are likely to get burnt sooner or later by the decision you make.  On small purchases, you can probably live with it, but on big purchases the results can be catastrophic.  The size of the purchase is defined by two factors.  The straight out dollar cost and the possible impact the decisions has on you and your business.

More in my next post.

Fresh Ideas for Work and Family Grants Program Stimulus Package

If you are like me you are probably completely unaware of the current offer by the Australia Federal government to help out small businesses.

The Australian Government has introduced the Fresh Ideas for Work and Family Grants Program to support Australian small businesses to implement practices that help employees balance their work and family obligations as well as improve employee retention and productivity.


The Program provides grants of up to $15,000 (GST exclusive) to small businesses to help meet the set-up costs of family friendly arrangements that suit the individual needs of the business.

This is a great opportunity for small businesses.

Go to http://www.deewr.gov.au/WorkplaceRelations/FreshIdeas/ to find out more.

If you ring their help line on 13 13 94, select option 4 (I selected option 2 for employers to start off with - which is the wrong option).  You need to ring between 8:00am and 6:00pm.