Get-R-Dun
By Bob Boyles, President
Smarter Distribution

One of the hottest comedians on tour right now is "Larry the Cable Guy" whose raunchy brand of humor parodies one of the last remaining stereo-types that it's safe to make fun of and that is the American Redneck. Being a reformed red-neck myself, this guy is just plain funny. One of his trademark lines is "Get-R-Done" which in red-neck parlance is the equivalent of Nike's "Just Do It". It's used something like this….

First Redneck: "Wouldn't you rather go bass fishing than re-line the brakes?
Second Redneck: Yep
First Redneck: Well, Get-R-Done!

Well it turns out that getting it done is one of the biggest problems that small companies have when it comes to technology. There are wholesalers that are still using cobbled together PC systems keeping track of inventory on spreadsheets. There are still gobs of distributors using home grown systems written by some local computer jockey. They have not figured out that the same money they're spending on paying one programmer could be used to buy a new package and pay a software company with a bevy of programmers. Slowly but surely these companies are seeing the light and purchasing software packages designed for their niche markets.

Hardware companies have done a wonderful job in creating trouble free computers. I often check the last time a computer was re-booted when examining customer systems and it's not unusual to have re-boot dates that are over a year old. We'll ignore that regular re-booting of most systems can improve performance to acknowledge that these companies have had no reason to re-boot their computer in months. The reliability that speaks too is impressive.

As much as I like to rant about the ills of some of the software products on the market today the fact is that their products are worlds better than some of the poor quality code that seemed as if it was held together with chewing gum and Scotch Tape from a decade ago. So why when you ask distributors to review their laundry list of wishes, smoother running computers always seem to make their Top 10? Well it begs the questions that if the hardware and software aren't to blame what is?

Execution

The answer is simple, execution. Execution is the missing link between plans and results. We are in love with the latest management theory. We'll line up at Barnes & Noble to purchase the latest HOT book on management. But we'll take the book home, read a few pages then let it gather dust. Perhaps we'll even drag the book to the office in hopes that someone will see the book on our bookshelf and think that we know what we're doing. But the real solution to most business problems isn't adopting that latest crazy theory, it's making the plan we already have work! The same idea applies double when talking about computers. There are some great systems out there, there should be no excuse for not using them to the fullest.

The ability to take great hardware and good software and use at the same time that you are attempting to redesign your business processes is a difficult job. The problem isn't hardware and software, the real problem is people. And the problem is not always at the top of the ladder. The CEO may be more than willing to try something new. But the ability to deal with Gladys in accounting who has done the same job, in the same office, sitting in the same squeaky chair for years is not something many MIS managers have the horsepower to change.

Don't Be Afriad To Ask For Help

And what makes my top 10 list of frustrations as a consultant is that this is one of the jobs that many companies have a do-it-yourself approach towards. Over and over again I see the results of the DIYer approach to computers, systems where only half the features are used and frustrated end users who got shut out of the process. The real loser in this scenario is the CEO, he's only getting some of the benefits he expected from his investment.

Summary

The hardware is there, the software is there, the help you need to make it all work is there. The only thing lacking is execution. As Larry The Cable Guy says, you need to execute or else "you'll be stumbling around like Ray Charles in a pumpkin patch".

About Bob Boyles and Smarter Distribution:
Bob Boyles is the principal of Smarter Distribution in Coppell, Texas, a strategic coaching business focusing on assisting distributors in using technology. He is also the author of "Succeeding With Distribution Technology" a practical how-to guide for selecting and implementing the right technology. You may reach him at (972) 304-1180, via e-mail at bob@smarterdistribution.com or on the Web at www.smarterdistribution.com

© Copyright 2003, Robert S. Boyles Jr. All rights reserved. This article cannot be reprinted or reproduced in whole or in part, without the express written permission of Robert S. Boyles Jr.