Business at the speed of thought
We are going to analyze the main ideas from the book termed as the business at the speed of thought. The book is written by Bill Gates and Collins Hemingway back in the year 1999. Bill Gates owns Microsoft Corporation, whereby he is also the CEO of the global relevant company. The book was written in a period whereby there only a few individuals owned personal computers and who had an idea on how to put into use the 32 Kbit per second Internet that was dial-up. Bill Gates, however, had high hopes that everyone in the future will have personal computers and will know how to use them.
From the book, we do observe discussion on the integration of business and technology methods. The book explains how one can get to an edge of the competition by use of infrastructures which are digital in nature and information that is networked.
Bill Gates has an assertion that cyberspace and industry are not supposed to be separate entities, and also businesses ought to change to be successful in terms of Information Age. The book is not technology-oriented but provides information on the integration of business processes with advanced technology. The book explains how advancement in the networking sector and the information technology (IT) can result in a difference in our normal business. It explains that if a business resists the integration of technology into essential operations, then they will lose to their fellow competitors. So, Gates goes on to explain how a company can profit from streamlining its processes by using the right computer software. This shows how he was ahead of time in those days.
Bill Gates describes the human brain’s incapability in the collection, storage, and use of information in comparison to a computer. He, therefore, provides a guideline on the best ways of making a company to improve its efficiency.
He speaks out about how internet connectivity can be adopted in business for inter-company connections of the computers digital nervous systems. He terms the Internet as a virtual mind that is giant in capacity, and it organizes almost all of the processes in our planet. Gates has high certainty that the people will begin to make use of it in learning, buying and selling stuff, and contacting one another. He adds that in later years to come, people may have possession of small wireless devices which will help them do the aforementioned things at a go.
The book addresses its message to the business entrepreneurs and business owners that do not want to seize on results that are achieved using normal business processes but do prefer the application of new or advanced technologies on their regular business to put it to be in an automatic mode, therefore, having the ability to run continuously with no need of extra effort.
Likes about the book
Computer Wizard and genius nature of Bill Gates
The various instances on the book have expressed the genius mind of the author that has to enable him to tackle multiple challenges effectively with high efficiency using computer technology. The author has intelligently described how computer use can solve business issues. He did envision our current days back in the year 1998.
Prophecy of the author that has been fulfilled
The author’s predictions have come to pass. Nowadays, it is evident that their competitors have overtaken businesses which have resisted integration of technology into their essential operations. The use of the Internet in various business operations needs not to be clarified as we have all witnessed in multiple instances. Other prophecies such as everyone owning and knowing how to use PCs are also in the process of fulfillment. The current lifestyle is full of the Internet according to his predictions.
Bill Gates suggestions on improvement of business or companies
He has provided guidelines on how to improve businesses by using techniques such as integration of computer technologies into business’ core and the use of the Internet. This has bear fruits as seen in today’s companies which have achieved prosperity.
Dislikes about the book
The author indirectly boasts of his profound knowledge of Computer technology. He is proud of his ability to describe to the audience on the integration of computer knowledge into business.
The book has not specified the adverse effects that may arise with new computer technologies and internet use in business. Yet, there are quite a several undesirable side effects that need to be addressed.
The book is one-sided in offering business solutions. He only speaks of technological developments and not other aspects of business improvements.
Communication skills used in the book
The author is systematic in communication. He has provided the guidelines on integration of computer integration into business in a systematic and precise to the point. He ensures not to skip any point that may interfere with the normal understanding of the audience.
Considerate. The CEO of Microsoft corporation considers the needs of the audience. He wants them to improve their businesses by incorporating the computer technology suggestions that he gives out willingly at no cost. He ensures that his target audience understands his points and also tries to foretell the future.
Spirited. Bill Gates has a strong desire to see that business does improve at one point in life. That is the reason for his technology advancement and use in businesses for improvement. He persuades his audience by stating the benefits of using and the consequences of not using computer integration in business.
Direct. The author is strategic on targeting the ears of the audience by being direct to the point, and his proposals are not full of jargon. His precision aims at ensuring that the audience does put into practice his business improvement suggestions on the integration of computer technologies and the Internet into a business.
systematic, direct, considerate and spirited