Principles

At Technology Decisions, we promise we will never recommend a technology solution when a simpler, low tech, low cost solution is as effective or nearly so. Only sound business reasons will be offered to support our final recommendation. As our primary reasoning, you will never hear, "Because it's cool!" If the solution is justifiable operationally and financially, maybe then, and only then will you hear us mutter "And it's cool!"

So there is a temptation among consultants to self-perpetuate their engagements. Sometimes this is not in the client's best interests. At Technology Decisions, we promise to never strive to find continual reasons for billing you where it is not in your best interests, and the only proper judge of that is you. When we feel continuing an engagement is not in your best interests, we'll say so.

Coming to terms with the root cause of business problems can be challenging. At Technology Decisions, we promise to never pull punches. Effective solutions and real value can only be realized when the courage to face reality exists. In order for you to achieve the most value from engaging us, we insist every possible solution be on the table. We are sensitive to "sacred cows", but not in denial of them. We want to help you identify the real issues impeding your business and we want to turn negatives into positives.

Often this equates to purchasing the lowest unit price. But, what if selecting the lowest unit price requires purchasing more units? Is it still then such a good deal?

Consultants face the temptation of bidding at a low hourly rate, but then charging more hours. Or, the professional offering the lowest hourly rate may actually take many more hours to complete the same task. As a client, are you really coming out ahead?

At Technology Decisions, we promise to always be worth more than you pay us and only you are the proper judge of this. This may mean we are not the lowest rate you may be offered. We understand that and support your choosing another consultant if price is what is important to you. But, if you feel you really didn't save much money, we will be here if you need us. We would love to have your business.

Counter-intuitive, yes, but true. At Technology Decisions, we always strive to help you make the best possible decisions within the constraints you face. If for whatever reason you are unhappy about an aspect of the work we have done for you, we will do everything reasonable (and very often the unreasonable) to make you not merely satisfied, but delighted! We always want to be your consultant of choice and appreciate your referrals. They build our business.

We have spent a long time and a few graduate degrees learning the lingo. New words, meanings, and twists on themes keep occurring. It's hard to start-at-the-beginning learning techno-speak as everything builds on what has come before. So in order to understand today's technology you need to understand yesterday's technology and from where it came. Many underlying assumptions, understandings, and meanings based upon this depth of knowledge lie between two technologists communicating. Is trying to become fluent a useful investment of time for you? Do you really or will you ever have that kind of time to invest? As a business decision maker ever feel like you needed a translator?

At Technology Decisions we communicate in your preferred style. Speaking as professionals with one another, we possess the unique ability to filter the babel and deliver the point that impacts your business. We also practice active listening and can take your directions back to the tech priesthood and translate for them too. Everybody understands. Nobody is lost. Great gains are realized for your business.

But ambition alone is not sufficient for success. This is true regardless of how talented any consultant may be or the remuneration offered.

Anything less than full participation by the client in the choice and definition of their solution, its implications, and the process for arriving at that decision can only lead to sub-optimal results and disappointment.

We are confident our clients will fully participate and engage with us on the decisions and definition of their network as Technology Decisions, Inc. provides them optimal recommendations and understandable choices stemming from our years of industry expertise. In fact, we feel so firmly in this regard we will decline an opportunity should this not be the case.

We know this is in the best interests of our clients even when our clients may not immediately share our perspective. Technology Decisions, Inc. must and will frame the relative implications of any proposed solution to our clients. We will lay out the choices and options available to the client as well as our recommendations. Where a client choice is required, Technology Decisions, Inc. will explain in accessible language any risk involved and the intended benefits of each option. This is so the client can make an informed and intelligent decision. We will provide our explanations in terms of dollars, opportunity, or difficulty involved until each client is clear, comfortable, and competent to rationally make the decisions before them.

This type of review, direction, and oversight necessary can only come from the network's ultimate owner, operator, and investor. For success, there really is no other option. We mention this in harmony with our overriding focus to advance the best interests of our clients, as is our fiduciary duty to them.