| In today's business climate, technology is advancing | | | | robotic receptionists have decreased the need for |
| more rapidly than many organizations can keep up | | | | many positions here as well and offered businesses a |
| with. Frequently, a number of the larger corporations, | | | | more cost-effective approach to completing simpler |
| and even small to medium-sized businesses as well, | | | | office tasks. In terms of sales, the internet has helped |
| now hire technology consultants and highly educated | | | | open the doors for increased globalization and the |
| technical staff to keep their organizations competitive | | | | ability to increase profits by reaching more people at |
| and up to date with the latest technological changes | | | | one time. As a result, telemarketing and door to door |
| and improved software and equipment that can make | | | | sales calls have become not only unwelcomed by the |
| their businesses more efficient and productive. | | | | general public, but also an outdated means of selling |
| However, the advantages for these businesses that | | | | goods and services. |
| do stay informed and up to date with the latest | | | | While the overall benefit to the end consumer is lower |
| technological changes is that they are able to increase | | | | prices, businesses still reap the rewards of these |
| revenues and profits at a faster pace and promulgate | | | | decreased costs of operation and also greater |
| the overall success of the company. | | | | efficiency and organization. For management, the |
| Technology is quickly becoming a key factor in any | | | | increased reliance on information technology creates a |
| type of business, and the latest technological | | | | number of issues. In terms of human resources, |
| innovations are what are leading to not only increased | | | | today's human resources managers are searching for |
| sales and exposure, but also less costly methods of | | | | employees that are well trained with computers and |
| marketing and advertising and greatly increased | | | | know how to operate the latest technological |
| productivity. In manufacturing, many processes that | | | | equipment. In addition, a number of today's top firms |
| were once performed manually or machines that | | | | are hiring employees that telecommute or work from |
| were operated by manpower are now being operated | | | | a remote location, and managers are now frequently |
| remotely and run by automated processes. With | | | | managing teams from in front of a computer. |
| decreased opportunities for employment in | | | | Another aspect of increased information technology |
| manufacturing and less skilled trades, many workers | | | | that affects today's management is security. Hacking, |
| are gaining an education and expanding their own | | | | phishing, and other online security threats can create |
| personal skills to accommodate a changing business | | | | real issues for any type of business, but today's |
| environment. | | | | managers have to be prepared to deal with these |
| In administrative functions, computers have offered the | | | | kinds of threats, teach the importance of security to |
| benefits of readily accessible databases of information | | | | employees, and know how to react when security has |
| and streamlined processes as well. Virtual offices and | | | | been breached. |
| even telephone answering systems that operate as | | | | |