A Good Example Is Bluetooth Technology

Business, Ask An Expert.

Uncover your small business technology profile - leveraging technology is a great way for small business entrepreneurs to save time and money. Learning how to use a Treo or a Blackberry can make you more mobile and efficient. You should master computers, at least enough to use EMAIL and to surf the Web to communicate with customers and to follow the latest trends in your industry.

However, if you aren' t ready for a particular technology, it can get in your way. - a way to think about this is by understanding what type of technology buyer and user you are. If you aren' t comfortable with computers or technology at all, then you should match up solutions and techniques that work for you. There is a widely accepted sociological model that was originally developed in 1957 at Iowa State University. The model uses a classic bell curve to describe the psychology of how and when particular consumers will adopt a technology throughout its useful life. Geoffrey Moore used this model in his book" Crossing The Chasm" to help technology companies understand their market. Technology companies use this model frequently in their marketing and positioning.

After all you are trying to save time and money, not add time and waste resources. - as a consumer and as a small business owner, you should try to understand where you fit. Take a good look and see where you fit: Innovators - According to Moore, these folks" pursue technology aggressively. " They want the latest technology NOW! Manuals get in their way. They are VERY comfortable with playing around with the latest and greatest. They buy and experiment first and figure out how their new gadget will help them out later.

Early Adopters - Early adopters love technology, too. - if you want to meet one, they' ll be standing in line at the apple or cingular store on june 29th buying an iphone. Unlike the Innovators, they look before they leap. But, after the initial" bugs" are shaken out, and after comparing it with their current solution, they' ll buy. They need a compelling personal or business reason to experiment with new technology. They may read a manual to optimize the technology.

Early Majority - These folks are also comfortable with technology. - they' d need a very compelling reason to replace their blackberry pearl with an iphone. They want all the initial quirks shaken out. And may not buy the second either. They don' t buy the first release. If they buy a new computer, they may ask for Windows XP rather than Windows Vista. If a technology gets adopted by this group, it will likely be successful.

But, they are the first major wave of buyers. - they have a treo on their belt and an ipod in their pocket. They actively seek it out. The people in these profiles have a natural affinity for technology. They adopt at a different pace, but they embrace technology. Late Majority - These buyers definitely wait for a clear winner or standard to emerge.

The last two profiles are more technology averse. - they will buy because it is well justified, there is plenty of support and they have many associates who are using the technology. Laggards - These buyers are technology averse. Following our PDA Phone example, Treo and Blackberry users are in this group. They avoid it until they have no choice. In business, they prefer things on paper. They were the last to have cell phones( for phone calls only, please) and an email address.

They prefer faxes to email attachments. - that' s prudent. As a small business owner you might be concerned about adopting technology too soon. Many technologies fail before they get to the Early Majority. A good example is Bluetooth technology. If there aren' t enough early adopters, companies go out of business or products are taken off the market. (Think Betamax. ) Technologies also fail when they get widely adopted, but the company or technology can' t handle the volume. It was going to make our offices totally wireless.

It didn' t" Cross the Chasm. " (The only exception for Bluetooth has been a little niche in wireless headsets for cell phones for the Early Majority. ) It' s important to recognize which one of the categories you fit into. - however, the way it works is too hard for most people and other wireless keyboard, mouse and printer technologies are much easier to use. If you are a" Late Majority" buyer, the iPhone is not for you. In other words, you will only save money and time if you match your technology to your profile. But, you might consider a Treo or Blackberry in conjunction with your Outlook calendar.