1 – Information technology

Background

The company “IT Solutions” (Intelligent Telecommunication Solutions) was set up by E.J. after E. J. left university 1998. Later, E.J.’s brother joined the company as well. The company advises and supports clients on the application of information technologies in their businesses and assists clients in gracefully upgrading their telecommunications hardware and software to meet corporate targets in the future. It designs, implements, maintains and supports technology solutions for clients active in a wide range of technical fields and business sectors. IT Solutions relies on (and depends on) IT functionality provided by major companies such as Microsoft, Dell, IBM, Cisco, HP, Novell, etc. Its added value is being an expert in these systems and relieving the client’s management of the headaches of making sure they invest in the right (and compatible) equipment and software.

The problem

Starting as a “one-man band” the company has now grown to 7 employees. The company is still run by E. J. Desperate for recognition in the market place, the company entered into a series of partnerships with big name companies to gain technical accreditation in this field. This has been achieved and they can now show an impressive list of satisfied partners. However, because they started from a weak position, these partnerships look like they are more of an advantage to the clients than to IT Solutions themselves. The company could survive in this way – but for how long? Is there a way of running a consultancy business and also have a life?

If IT Solutions is to develop and expand it has to find a new way of operating its business – but how to do that?

The challenge

• How can IT Solutions understand its present limitations and future opportunities?
• What does it need to change – its internal business structure, its relationships with its clients, its agreements with its clients, the products it offers, they way it operates to thereby improve the client experience, the skills of its employees, ...?
• Has IT Solution got the right partnership strategy? Which business analytical tools should be used to analyse and improve the client partnerships for the future?
• What intellectual assets does the company have?
• Can IT Solutions convert its client partnerships into intellectual property?

The solution

If these are the kind of problems that you have, please contact BIRD GOËN by email (ipadmin@birdgoen.com) and refer to “case study 1” to arrange for consultation.