Tech Spending In Neutral?
from the no-reason-to-buy dept
For all the optimistic "tech is back" stories showing up over the last few months, here's a more sober article (bound to please Nicholas Carr) suggesting that businesses still aren't spending on IT, because they just don't see any compelling reason to upgrade old computers and old software that pretty much does what they need it to. Of course, other stories have suggested otherwise, so this may seem a bit confusing. It seems like part of the problem is a confusion over where and how technology is useful. Just throwing new computers and new software at a problem isn't necessarily useful -- but figuring out ways to properly use that software to increase productivity and efficiency is where the real gains are. So, even if the basic technology is becoming a commodity, that doesn't mean companies aren't really spending. It's just that more of the spending is on the human side -- making sure they know how to use the technology. In the meantime, there's also a growing focus on wireless and other locally networked devices, many of which start outside the enterprise, but are increasingly forcing their way into the office as well. It seems a bit early to suggest there's no real growth in corporate IT right now -- it's just that it's not where it was last time (PCs and desktop software).
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Who Cares About Efficiency And Productivity?
People aren't getting the same pay for 30-hour weeks now. At best, companies expect people to get more work done in the same time. At worst, companies can lay people off completely, which certainly gives them more free time, but takes away all income and benefits, too, and forces them to either get a new job in the same field, take a lower paying job or retrain (which can be difficult, especially when you have children and a mortgage).
Obviously, business executives should care about these things, but why should the typical grunt (other than to avoid getting fired)?
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Re: Who Cares About Efficiency And Productivity?
Stock options.
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