Who's Your Business Geek?

Added by Jacob, about 1 year ago.

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You've employed a CTO. There's a dedicated IT function, and better still an outsourced IT team on contract to provide regular maintenance and proactive support. But have you got a Business Geek you can talk to?

If the answer is ‘No', you're probably already asking what exactly a Business Geek is, and why one might be important to your business staying ahead. It's still not a common phrase - here in Australia Google only returns 7 matches; in the UK it's a meager 115 - but it's an idea that's finding traction in those businesses that look to intersect the best business practices with the latest technology support.

I came across ‘Business Geek' here, where blogger Brian Halligan describes people "that are passionate about business issues like marketing and strategy, much like technology geeks are passionate about technology". He is so invested with the concept that his business created a community where self-confessed business geeks (including yours truly) could share stories of interest (it's still in beta, but growing).

So if a Business Geek is someone who will seek out cutting-edge IT to apply to existing business strategies, or even create new market niches, why does your established business need one?

Think about this - twelve years ago, breakthrough businesses had a website. Eight years ago, those businesses with personalised email addresses stood out. Pretty soon, you'll have to decide whether to ban Facebook or set up on Second Life? Determine whether to go Web 2.0, or bury your head in the sand? If your passion isn't here, finding a Business Geek will help you and your business catch the next tech wave rather than being swamped by it.

So How? You don't need to recruit one to your business - after all, a Business Geek's interests are not necessarily in daily support, but rather in testing what's new within a business framework. If you like the thought of bouncing ideas around with someone who loves technology as much as they love business, then go looking to create a relationship with someone who matches that description.

You should also consider signing up to Daily Hub, and before you close this window and forget about it, be sure to sign up for my RSS feed (What / How). There will be more Business Geek information in future posts.

Are there any other Business Geeks out there wanting to introduce themselves? Or personal experiences applying geek learnings to your business? Leave a comment, because I and others would be interested to find out more.

Comments

There are currently 3 comments about this blog.

Jacob Aldridge, about 1 year ago

That's a great analysis Robin, and I agree whole heartedly. I guess there are those business geeks you can bounce ideas off, and those that are looking at your business and making recommendations. If they are making recommendations, they should be held as accountable as any other service provider (even if they have a cool new title). I certainly fit more into the first category; as a technology consultant, do you see room for some 'business geek' elements as part of your service offering?

rparkinson, about 1 year ago

Robin Parkinson, Escape Business Technologies Ltd. - In my opinion, embracing sensible innovation and understanding relevance to your business is critical to any system adoption. Adopting technology without thinking of relevance, whether it is fit for purpose or makes commercial sense can cost a fortune and cause serious frustration but then again so can doing nothing. My belief is that CEOs/business managers etc. are keen to implement business process improvements or new sales and marketing strategies etc. through technology but, unless forced by circumstance, tend to remain risk averse and wait until a product or system is becoming an industry standard - after all, not everyone wants to risk money off their bottom line by making a big mistake investing in something new. This is common risk analysis behaviour of course. In my humble opinion a business geek (this title is new to me) can help by giving insight in to good pioneering practice (i.e. what they have seen work before in early adopting business) and take commercial success experience, bonding the two together to give sensible advice. Apart from being a personable communicator this person/people need vision matched with some real in-depth experience. So, I guess my point is that I think you should select your business geek(s) wisely and business geeks should choose innovative strategies very carefully (after all whos going to get it in the neck if you suggest putting a clients' business on second life, it costs $50000 and its a complete waste of time?).