Recently I have come across an issue that seems to be very common in private companies. It concerns the general operating software.

My experience is that many have not been prepared to stop and do a 'Sanity check ' and review how their data is managed across the business. Most still have their original operating system and have added upgrades and other software along the way as new requirements are needed.

In nearly every business I get to I find staff all over have created their own special spreedsheets to keep control of their data. And, if a new ERP system is implemented, many resist change and try to manipulate the system to suit themselves. Another problem is that usually the accountant is also the IT manager and is the only one who knows how everthing works. This puts your business at enormous risk.

The evidence proves that investing in new operating systems that enables free flowing co-ordinated access and information across the business greatly improves performance. Don't cut corners in IT. Ensure you scope your requirements carefully, buy the best available, use outside experts, test the new systems hard, train and retrain your staff, watch out for those who resist change,  and check with others who are using the same software systems when carrying out your due diligence.

If you are the owner of a business that tries to cut corners on  IT system, uses non legal software, won't spend the money on training then you are setting your business up for failure  and you will get everything you deserve.

I have seen five million dollar companies spend more on their systems than fifty million companies. And the five  million dollar business was making better profit than the larger business. They had accurate and timely data at their fingertips and knew daily the true state of the business.