eir honesty. Incidentally, a real consultant will not be upset by this offer.

Now that you have all available information, it's time to make a decision. This is why you are the boss. Take the bull by the horns, grab the tiger by the ears and every other clich? you can think of and make a decision. Use the facts and figures in front of you. The first decision you need to make is if you can afford the new product. Is this expenditure a serious hit against your cash position? Consider financing options and how those will impact your bottom line. Can this product break you financially?

Now, once again, how much do you really need this product? Is this a vanity purchase? Are you just trying to keep up with the corporate Joneses or is this a valuable tool? Will this increase productivity within a reasonable amount of time?

We have all fallen prey to that awesome salesman that convinces us that we cannot live without their new and improved product. We spent the money, got the product, tried it and maybe we used it or maybe we threw it away. Even if we used it, we had problems with it and we got fed up with the damn fool thing. Ever order anything from one of those home shopping television stations? Then you might know what I am talking about.

We have been conditioned to believe that if something is new it must be improved. Ask anyone that bought Windows ME if they thought it was "improved?" The Recycling Bin of history is filled with glorious failures that were touted as the solution to all problems from customer relationship management to baldness.

In this article I will give you the greatest gift you have ever received for free. Hope you use it. Recite with me: "Just because it is the latest, does not mean it's the greatest." Now, say that about ten times until you believe it. Don't scoff or laugh. I am serious. I want you to take a mental inventory of the number of times you fell for hype and spent money or time on some product that was new. Don't limit this to just technology; include every aspect of your life from cars to hairbrushes. Be honest.

If you are like most people then the answer should surprise you. We buy an awful lot of junk in this country. That is part of what it means to be a good American! And if you buy it with a credit card, even better. Spend, spend spend! The more you spend the happier you will be. I am just as guilty as everyone else. I remember buying a new fangled telescoping broom/mop/squeegee for the low price of $15.95. The first time we used it the crazy thing exploded. I am not kidding! The thing exploded into fifty pieces in my hands. Another $15.95 flushed down the toilet.

However, while this may be true for the average consumer, a business has to be much smarter. As a decision maker for your company you must make smarter choices. Don't get sucked in by hype, marketing, public relations or word of mouth. Remember, chances are you employ the same types of tactics when you sell your product or service! You must be smarter than that if your business is to survive.

Examine every significant business purchase from as many angles as possible. Discuss this with your managers and the various departments that will be directly impacted by this new system. Spend some money and consult experts in the field. If the product you are buying is impressively expensive (what they call in college business courses a "capital expenditure") then you should find a technology consulting company and get their opinions.

Now, here's the hook and the guarantee that they will be honest. Tell them from the beginning that they will never, ever, under any circumstances get the sale contract for this system. They can charge you for their time but they will never make a penny from selling you this product you are researching. This is a great acid test. Some consultants will outright tell you they won’t do it. Most consultants are really resellers in disguise. Usually they will offer you their services for free in exchange for a lucrative equipment contract. Don’t be fooled, these are the ultimate wolves in sheep’s clothing. By informing them that they will not get the contract you ensure their honesty. Incidentally, a real consultant will not be upset by this offer.

Now that you have all available information, it's time to make a decision. This is why you are the boss. Take the bull by the horns, grab the tiger by the ears and every other clich? you can think of and make a decision. Use the facts and figures in front of you. The first decision you need to make is if you can afford the new product. Is this expenditure a serious hit against your cash position? Consider financing options and how those will impact your bottom line. Can this product break you financially?

Now, once again, how much do you really need this product? Is this a vanity purchase? Are you just trying to keep up with the corporate Joneses or is this a valuable tool? Will this increase productivity within a reasonable amount of time?

ou use it. Recite with me: "Just because it is the latest, does not mean it's the greatest." Now, say that about ten times until you believe it. Don't scoff or laugh. I am serious. I want you to take a mental inventory of the number of times you fell for hype and spent money or time on some product that was new. Don't limit this to just technology; include every aspect of your life from cars to hairbrushes. Be honest.

If you are like most people then the answer should surprise you. We buy an awful lot of junk in this country. That is part of what it means to be a good American! And if you buy it with a credit card, even better. Spend, spend spend! The more you spend the happier you will be. I am just as guilty as everyone else. I remember buying a new fangled telescoping broom/mop/squeegee for the low price of $15.95. The first time we used it the crazy thing exploded. I am not kidding! The thing exploded into fifty pieces in my hands. Another $15.95 flushed down the toilet.

However, while this may be true for the average consumer, a business has to be much smarter. As a decision maker for your company you must make smarter choices. Don't get sucked in by hype, marketing, public relations or word of mouth. Remember, chances are you employ the same types of tactics when you sell your product or service! You must be smarter than that if your business is to survive.

Examine every significant business purchase from as many angles as possible. Discuss this with your managers and the various departments that will be directly impacted by this new system. Spend some money and consult experts in the field. If the product you are buying is impressively expensive (what they call in college business courses a "capital expenditure") then you should find a technology consulting company and get their opinions.

Now, here's the hook and the guarantee that they will be honest. Tell them from the beginning that they will never, ever, under any circumstances get the sale contract for this system. They can charge you for their time but they will never make a penny from selling you this product you are researching. This is a great acid test. Some consultants will outright tell you they won’t do it. Most consultants are really resellers in disguise. Usually they will offer you their services for free in exchange for a lucrative equipment contract. Don’t be fooled, these are the ultimate wolves in sheep’s clothing. By informing them that they will not get the contract you ensure their honesty. Incidentally, a real consultant will not be upset by this offer.

Now that you have all available information, it's time to make a decision. This is why you are the boss. Take the bull by the horns, grab the tiger by the ears and every other clich? you can think of and make a decision. Use the facts and figures in front of you. The first decision you need to make is if you can afford the new product. Is this expenditure a serious hit against your cash position? Consider financing options and how those will impact your bottom line. Can this product break you financially?

Now, once again, how much do you really need this product? Is this a vanity purchase? Are you just trying to keep up with the corporate Joneses or is this a valuable tool? Will this increase productivity within a reasonable amount of time?

rst time we used it the crazy thing exploded. I am not kidding! The thing exploded into fifty pieces in my hands. Another $15.95 flushed down the toilet.

However, while this may be true for the average consumer, a business has to be much smarter. As a decision maker for your company you must make smarter choices. Don't get sucked in by hype, marketing, public relations or word of mouth. Remember, chances are you employ the same types of tactics when you sell your product or service! You must be smarter than that if your business is to survive.

Examine every significant business purchase from as many angles as possible. Discuss this with your managers and the various departments that will be directly impacted by this new system. Spend some money and consult experts in the field. If the product you are buying is impressively expensive (what they call in college business courses a "capital expenditure") then you should find a technology consulting company and get their opinions.

Now, here's the hook and the guarantee that they will be honest. Tell them from the beginning that they will never, ever, under any circumstances get the sale contract for this system. They can charge you for their time but they will never make a penny from selling you this product you are researching. This is a great acid test. Some consultants will outright tell you they won’t do it. Most consultants are really resellers in disguise. Usually they will offer you their services for free in exchange for a lucrative equipment contract. Don’t be fooled, these are the ultimate wolves in sheep’s clothing. By informing them that they will not get the contract you ensure their honesty. Incidentally, a real consultant will not be upset by this offer.

Now that you have all available information, it's time to make a decision. This is why you are the boss. Take the bull by the horns, grab the tiger by the ears and every other clich? you can think of and make a decision. Use the facts and figures in front of you. The first decision you need to make is if you can afford the new product. Is this expenditure a serious hit against your cash position? Consider financing options and how those will impact your bottom line. Can this product break you financially?

Now, once again, how much do you really need this product? Is this a vanity purchase? Are you just trying to keep up with the corporate Joneses or is this a valuable tool? Will this increase productivity within a reasonable amount of time?

vely expensive (what they call in college business courses a "capital expenditure") then you should find a technology consulting company and get their opinions.

Now, here's the hook and the guarantee that they will be honest. Tell them from the beginning that they will never, ever, under any circumstances get the sale contract for this system. They can charge you for their time but they will never make a penny from selling you this product you are researching. This is a great acid test. Some consultants will outright tell you they won’t do it. Most consultants are really resellers in disguise. Usually they will offer you their services for free in exchange for a lucrative equipment contract. Don’t be fooled, these are the ultimate wolves in sheep’s clothing. By informing them that they will not get the contract you ensure their honesty. Incidentally, a real consultant will not be upset by this offer.

Now that you have all available information, it's time to make a decision. This is why you are the boss. Take the bull by the horns, grab the tiger by the ears and every other clich? you can think of and make a decision. Use the facts and figures in front of you. The first decision you need to make is if you can afford the new product. Is this expenditure a serious hit against your cash position? Consider financing options and how those will impact your bottom line. Can this product break you financially?

Now, once again, how much do you really need this product? Is this a vanity purchase? Are you just trying to keep up with the corporate Joneses or is this a valuable tool? Will this increase productivity within a reasonable amount of time?

eir honesty. Incidentally, a real consultant will not be upset by this offer.

Now that you have all available information, it's time to make a decision. This is why you are the boss. Take the bull by the horns, grab the tiger by the ears and every other clich? you can think of and make a decision. Use the facts and figures in front of you. The first decision you need to make is if you can afford the new product. Is this expenditure a serious hit against your cash position? Consider financing options and how those will impact your bottom line. Can this product break you financially?

Now, once again, how much do you really need this product? Is this a vanity purchase? Are you just trying to keep up with the corporate Joneses or is this a valuable tool? Will this increase productivity within a reasonable amount of time? Can you survive if this is a total and complete flop? Will you be able to struggle along and keep your business running in a worst case scenario?

For good or for ill, you have to decide the future of your company. That responsibility rests in your hands. And whatever you decide, sleep well tonight. If everything fails, you can always blame a lot of people.