1.2 Business Information Technology

The people who use computers are known as end-users. It’s crucial to recognize that smart people are the ones who make computers smart. Being savvy with computers gives you a clear edge, especially in business, where assuming a computer is already smart can be a mistake. On the flip side, if you’re not so tech-savvy, you might struggle with computers and not perform well in business. This highlights that people are the key players in an information system, making information technology important in all aspects of life.

Every computer, whether it’s a personal computer, a Mac, a Google Chromebook, or even the programming in a microwave with a “Popcorn” button, is designed to do precisely what it’s supposed to do and sometimes even more than you might realize.

Information technology is woven into every part of our lives, including the business world. Unfortunately, many businesses have made the mistake of treating it like something ordinary and have paid a high price for that kind of thinking. It’s common for companies to provide their employees with lots of tech gadgets (like laptops and smartphones), but forget to ensure that their employees know how to use these devices effectively to gain a competitive edge in business.

This doesn’t mean every businessperson needs to be a computer expert, but it’s crucial to realize that those who can use technology better than their competitors have a real advantage. Being good with information technology is a key skill in business.

Achieving computer skills in business is crucial for success. Competency means “having the knowledge” to understand something, like a computer system, and how it relates to business. How do you gain this knowledge or figure out what computer knowledge you need to know? This resource is here to answer those questions and get you ready to make smart business decisions about information technology and computing.

Your attitude toward information technology is key to becoming computer-savvy. Don’t see a computer as a mysterious box; it’s a tool with limits that depend on your imagination and cleverness. Can a computer handle your business needs? Yes, but only if it’s in the hands of a capable and clever user with a fearless yet careful attitude.

Your attitude toward information technology is key to becoming computer-savvy. Don’t see a computer as a mysterious box; it’s a tool with limits that depend on your imagination and cleverness. Can a computer handle your business needs? Yes, but only if it’s in the hands of a capable and clever user with a fearless yet careful attitude.

As you learn, you’ll make mistakes—it is just part of the learning journey. Your success depends on how you see these mistakes. Starting a business involves a lot of failures; embrace them and learn. You can view a mistake as a roadblock and get frustrated, or you can see it as a crucial part of learning and decision-making. It’s your choice.

Starting with computer skills can feel like a huge challenge, especially in the high-pressure world of business. The best approach as you begin your learning journey is to start small and keep things straightforward. Take on one thing at a time, master it, and understand why it works. After completing a task, realize that there’s likely a more efficient way to do it. It’s not about saying “good isn’t good enough” but recognizing that computing systems and applications can always be improved.

In business, a best practice refers to a management process, technique, or method that proves most effective in achieving a desired or better outcome compared to other approaches. Simply put, it’s the smartest and most efficient way to get something done while making it easy to remember for the future. Best practices aim to discover the most effective and efficient approach to reach a business goal, storing these methods for future use, and achieving the best results with minimal effort.

When it comes to business computing, best practices also come into play. They seek the optimal way to do something and ensure a consistent and effective approach to repeatedly achieve desired business-computing outcomes.

It might not be the best idea to learn a computing system or application by memorizing keystrokes alone (meaning just remembering which keys to press to get things done). If the system does what you want, try to figure out why it worked. The same goes if your results don’t turn out as expected. Someone who only memorizes keystrokes won’t be ready to figure out why something went wrong unexpectedly. On the flip side, if you understand what the keystrokes do and why, you have a much better shot at solving a problem and learning from the whole experience.

Improving computer skills is much easier when you have a specific task in mind. In computing, an application is something with a practical purpose and expected results. It’s essential to always ask yourself what you’re trying to achieve with a computer. Try to find a real-life reason to use it, such as making a basic budget with a spreadsheet. Simply going through a super mechanical tutorial can sometimes make it easy to miss the actual lesson being taught. Relying on memorizing keystrokes to get things done can work against the learning process.

Remember, the learning journey in business computing is ongoing, as highlighted by Gordon Moore, a key figure at Intel. In 1965, Moore introduced Moore’s Law, stating that computing power doubles every 18 months. This prediction remains true today and is likely to continue. Essentially, if a business invests in a microcomputer today, a better one will be available in 18 months.

Think about buying a product and knowing it might become outdated in less than two years. This emphasizes the crucial role of IT knowledge, even from a purchasing perspective. Some organizations, known as leaders or first adopters, embrace new technology for a potential competitive edge. Others, called followers, wait for improvements before making a move.

Consider a pharmaceutical company deciding whether to provide its reps with the latest smartphone. If they believe it offers a competitive advantage, then yes, they should purchase the new smartphone. How do they determine this advantage? By staying updated on information technology news. Just as investment companies track global stock markets, all businesses need to stay current with technology. While you don’t need up-to-the-second news, being aware of IT developments is crucial.

In the realm of business information technology, especially decision-making, always think about the future. Today’s cutting-edge tech’s promising advantages can turn into tomorrow’s mistakes. Staying current involves paying attention, keeping an open mind, and considering the future of your business and its technologies. To prepare for a business career, learning and understanding information technology and its long-term impacts is key. You don’t need to be an IT expert, but a foundational grasp of hardware, software, networks, and their capabilities is essential. This resource won’t make you an IT pro, but it will equip you for informed IT discussions.