Going Back Into The Pot: Greenfield Opportunities
In this economy, when the pot -- meaning revenue and profit -- for many companies isn't filling up as fast as it had been in more plentiful years (in some cases, getting empty fast), it can seem counterintuitive to consider putting the little cash you get back in the pot.
But consider putting money back in the pot to shore up IT without emptying the pot. To do that, you must consider the "greenfield."
Stop reading, just for a minute, close your eyes and picture an empty, green field. Nothing's there. Maybe you want to plant trees or a garden, maybe you'd like to build a house. OK, open your eyes and resume reading: This type of thinking is what's know as "greenfield opportunities." In a simpler term: strategy.
Think of greenfield opportunities as a natural approach to "organic" IT spending and resource growth. Here are some key greenfield opportunities you might consider putting money back in the pot for:
- Computer-processing environment development activities lacking constraints due to any prior architecture (updating existing architecture)
- Ramping up help-desk using existing policies and procedures (can be done on paper, requires no expenditures)
- Building snap-on applications, which can be snap-on applications or downloadable, on-demand SaaS apps offered by other companies
- Simplifying -- clearing the field and deciding what costly "weed" expenditures can be cut or if overhauling the processing environment will ultimately help you grow in the long run
The key thinking here is to ponder these items as "natural" approach to "organic" IT spending and resource growth that can come from the money set aside for capital expenditures as well as a smidgen of your profits.
While, investing in technology can yield a return, reinvestment in technology can yield growth and ultimately lead to, ahem, greener pastures.
Posted by Jabulani Leffall on February 14, 2011