By Nate Wolfson

Effective communication is critical in this industry; it can make or break a sale. Believe it or not, this extends to the computers in your business. If your computers are not networked—linked to “talk” to each other—you are missing out on the opportunity to take your business to the next level.

The merit of creating a computer network in your office and extending it to include producers in the field is clear: Improved collaboration drives productivity and profitability, not to mention competitiveness, client satisfaction and employee retention. So, the critical question isn’t, “Should we network?” but “How should we network?”

Goal-oriented
When creating a computer network for your office, you need a firm grasp of your company’s technology needs as they relate to your business goals. Networking for its own sake won’t yield any benefits unless your plans are backed by strong business objectives. Many computer networks fail when networking gurus and consultants, who are not necessarily schooled in the world of business, set them up using only a tactical, technology-focused mindset. This often leads to more problems than solutions for a small, growing business.

Therefore, as you plan your network, it is important to consider these questions:

• What are my business goals for this year in terms of growth, productivity and revenue?
  
• What are the biggest inhibitors to those goals?
  
• Where will my business be two years from now with respect to geography, staff and competitors?
  
• Is my current plan for technology in line with that outlook?

When you have tackled these big questions, you can look at the tactical questions:

• Is my staff centralized or do they report in from remote locations?
  
• How will technology enable us to better serve our clients in the short term and the long term?
  
• What are clients asking for today, and how can we exceed that expectation?

As you ask these questions, you must consider who within your organization is qualified to address the technical issues the answers bring up. The wrong advice is often more problematic than the consequences of doing nothing at all. Trying to answer all of the questions yourself without the necessary expertise can be equally troublesome.

So, as a first step toward building a network, it is often beneficial to consult with a vendor-neutral firm and/or independent consultant that is able to understand and address the business issues you face; it does not necessarily mean a firm specializing in financial software. Next, solicit proposals from three firms. Based on the feedback you receive, you are now ready to begin implementing those steps that make the most sense for your business. The knowledge you gain from the process will help you ensure project success.

Armed with this perspective and process, you will be able to outfit your office with the most appropriate technology, not the latest product of the month.

It begins with baby steps
Creating your network does not have to be an all-or-nothing proposition; it can be done in stages. Before the network can be employed to create efficiencies and increase productivity, it must be safeguarded from problems. The data on your computer is your livelihood, and must be treated as such. This means protecting your data from being lost, destroyed or stolen.

You can be put out of business in under a minute if your network server--the computer that runs the system--goes down. Consider that fire, theft and flood will wipe out your server, and an electric surge or power outage could also wreack havoc on your ability to continue operations.

Most people we know “back up” the network server (save their company’s data) sporadically, if at all. And when they do, the back-up tape or CD is often kept right next to the server. Assign someone to take home the back-up tape every night. Or better yet, back up your server to a remote location (using an Internet service). Also, consider the simple things like adding a back-up power supply and electric surge suppressors. Both are easy ways to keep the business running.

It’s often said that it is easier to sell aspirin than it is to sell vitamins. The same can be said for anti-virus protection. Everyone sees the need; few use it effectively. Buy it, install it, and use it.

If you start off with these few, but critical, steps, you’ll be well on your way to taking your network and business to the next level.

Nathaniel (Nate) Wolfson is CEO of Thrive Networks, an IT outsourcing firm serving small to mid-sized companies in New England. Wolfson can be reached at 978-461-3999 or at nwolfson@thrivenetworks.com.

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