Technology and the Small Business Owner

As I sit here overwhelmed, trying to write a post on something I know very little about, I can’t help but think of the thing that is a big part of helping globalization happen: technology. It is what keeps us connected. It is what keeps up communicating to each other - not only across town, but across the globe. I also think about what it cost the small businesses I have worked for to obtain that technology. The most recent company, a small office in Largo was building its technology from the beginning. In order to write those emails to people across the US, they needed email software. But they also needed computers to install that software on. Then there are the servers to manage and send the emails, and the software to do those tasks. There’s also the monthly internet costs, web hosting costs, and yearly domain name costs. There are also the technologies that may not immediately seem like they’re needed for global communication: a copier that can scan and email a contract in seconds rather than needing to send the hardcopy through the mail, or the fax machine that can receive that signed contract back just as quickly. All of these examples (and many more) are more of a requirement these days than an option. If a company, of any size, is not able to communicate and do business with others in a different town, state, or country, then they will simply be passed by. Add to that the additional costs of upgrading their technology on a regular basis, as well as the support for all of this technology (as most small businesses do not have an IT person) and the costs for playing on a global field can noticeably cut into profits. Larger businesses are able to absorb these costs better, and control them by bringing some of the processes in-house, but the small business owner usually has to pay outside vendors to set up, deploy and manage these items for them.

It would seem that the major factor in helping the small business owner compete on a larger playing field is also the factor that can hinder them from even getting onto that field to begin with.