Home »
KRIC workshops tackle tech on new dates
Technology Integration for Small Businesses workshops will run on March 30 in Golden and March 31 in Cranbrook
If youâre in business, and you care about your bottom line, itâs a temptation to try newer and better technology. But not all technological âfixes,â well, fix.
Itâs an all-too common experience for many small businesses, which is why Kootenay Rockies Innovation Council (KRIC) has decided to postpone its Technology Integration workshops to March 30 and 31, to allow a greater number of businesses to attend.
Kevin Shepit, Project Manager for KRIC said, âThese are going to be really valuable for our regionâs small business community and we wanted to make sure as many people as possible knew about the opportunity.â
The workshops will be delivered by GO Productivityâs Mike Kluh in Golden on Monday, March 30 and in Cranbrook on Tuesday, March 31.
Kluh, whose training in Lean principles colour his perspective on using technology in a small business, said, âThere are many options to improvement, but itâs not a matter of just adding in new technology without strategizing first.â
âTo integrate new technology successfully into your business, you need to start at the beginning. You need to hone in on your business direction, anticipated growth and costs first, before you can evaluate the advantages of integrating new technology.â
What sort of technologies might small businesses want to consider? Those that deal in information, data and communications for a start, and including cloud networks and customer relationship management systems.
Workshop participants will learn to think about productivity not just as efficiency, but also as resourcefulness.
âProust said, âDiscovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes,ââ Kluh said. âAnd this is a sound approach to bringing new technology into your business. The first, best steps always involve seeing whatâs really there.â
Perhaps youâve tried to incorporate upgrades to some of the technology you use in your small business. Perhaps youâve failed to realize the benefits you were expecting. Donât despair. Kluh can help you unpack what happened, and what you can do next time.
âExecuting bad processes faster is not a way to increase productivity,â he said. âOften, though, small business owners are enticed by the latest-and-greatest gadgets and services, and they neglect the strategic, resourceful thinking.â
The workshop will introduce a step-by-step process for successful implementation of technology in your business. It will also cover some change-management strategies to use with your staff.
The $40 registration fee includes snacks and refreshments as well as all workshop materials. For more details or to register, visit www.kric.ca or email [email protected].
This workshop is made possible thanks to KRICâs Premier Sponsor, Community Futures East Kootenay, along with Fortis BC, Teck, the City of Kimberley, the Columbia Basin Trust and the Elk Valley Economic Initiative.
KRIC