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While I was there, I worked with a group of people charged with figuring out how the company would use the Internet and which projects we would recommend.
The leader of the group introduced me to something called the "framework for value." This framework was the barometer by which decisions were made - if the proposed project met the criteria identified in the framework, we would give it a green light.
The framework was brilliant in many ways, not the least of which was simplicity: Identify the key drivers for sound business decisions and then use those drivers to filter or judge proposed projects. For example: improve efficiency. Look at a proposed project and ask, "Will this improve efficiency?"
After I left this company, I was working at another consumer packaged goods company and engaged in part of a business-redesign process that was being led by a large consulting firm.
I brought up the framework to the facilitator. He had another spin on it: people, not processes.
He suggested that technology needs to strengthen relationships between customers, suppliers and employees. Each one of these constituents must interact with your business. Figure out what ways you can make it easier for them.
For customers - try giving them a site where they can check the status of open orders. This has the added benefit of reducing the number of phone calls to your customer service department.
For suppliers - streamline your interaction with them and help them plan ahead by clueing them in on upcoming demand.
For employees - improve human resources tasks by allowing employees to update personal information on their own. Another option would be to create customer profiles for your employees, so that they can access that any time they have to deal with a client.
Opportunities exist everywhere to use technology to improve business. Deciding which projects to fund can be as simple as having a framework by which you filter all requests.
These three drivers can help you quickly gauge if a proposed project is aligned to business strategies.
< Improve efficiencies
< Lower costs
< Strengthen relationships
To do list:
1. Make a list of the three companies that you find easy to work with. Why are they so "accessible"? Figure out what your company can do to be that way.
