Small business owners have to wear many hats, not least of which is that of internet technology guru. As a corporate employee, you probably relied on your corporation’s IT Guy to keep you up abreast of the latest internet technology. Now, being a tech-savvy small business manager is your own responsibility. Here’s how to keep up to speed…
Start Here…
If you don’t know your internet from you elbow, check out our prescribed reading for Net Newbies:
- The Internet for Dummies by John R. Levine, Margaret Levine Young and Carol Baroudi (John Wiley & Sons) – This perennial classic orientates would-be internet users with an introduction to what’s online, gives a guided tour through popular browsers and helps readers find hot social networking sites.
- The Internet for Beginners (Web Wise Seniors) – a learning guide for people who want to be skilled internet users.
- Grandma’s Guide to the Internet by Linda Ingham (Willow Island Editions) – a lighthearted guide to email and surfing the web.
- Brainstorm – a monthly print magazine for decision-makers and other intelligent people, Brainstorm reports on the technologies shaping business.
- Wired – one of the world’s leading tech magazines, Wired provides useful how-to’s and insight into tech trends in both a print and online version.
Then, get online!
The best source of information about the latest internet technology is the Net. Google ‘latest internet technology’ or ‘internet technology trends’ and see what you find. Good technology websites to browse regularly include:
- Techcentral – this technology website describes itself as South Africa’s leading, quality news and information source for those in – or interested in – the IT world.
- Butterscotch.com – your fresh, friendly, smart and sticky portal into the world of technology, Butterscotch helps busy people on-the-go to understand and live the mobile lifestyle, with tons of useful tips and tricks on trending topics. Featuring incredibly useful How to video tutorials on Butterscotch TV – like How to sign up for YouTube and How to use Skype on your Blackberry.
- ReadWriteWeb – thoughtful exploration of emerging internet trends and daily reporting on internet industry news. ReadWriteStart is a channel appealing specifically to startups and entrepreneurs
- InformationWeek – delivers breaking news, blogs, image galleries, research and analysis on local and global IT trends
- IT Web Online – information and news about IT in South Africa and the world at large.
After a hard day’s surfing, turn on the telly…
Dedicate an hour each week to catching up on tech trends via the TV. Arguably the best technology show on DSTV is Click – the BBC’s flagship technology brand (See it on BBC WORLD NEWS: Friday 15:30, Saturday 06:30, Sunday 12:30 and 18:30 GMT). There’s also a radio version of the popular show on BBC World Service. For news on what’s trending in technology, Follow Click on Twitter or Find Click on Facebook.
For those who want to learn more about internet technology…
Visit Tech-Ed Africa. Each year, Microsoft hosts Tech-Ed events at Durban’s ICC, providing the most comprehensive technical training on Miscrosoft’s suite of products, technologies and solutions. Says Microsoft, attendees at Tech-Ed return home with cutting edge insights, information and skills.
And remember…
Listen and learn. Ask questions and be open to experimenting with or using new internet technology.
