With the onset of Artificial Intelligence making its way into common business practices, many companies are rushing to understand the science, so that they can be the first on the frontier of new technology in business. This rush is beginning to trickle down to smaller businesses as well, but, as this rush begins to affect smaller businesses, business owners should be wary of the speed in which they jump on the AI bandwagon. Perhaps it may be better for small businesses to be cautious of how accepting they are of AI technology.

The first point to understand this topic is perhaps the most understandable, and that is how AI is not going to magically solve company problems instantly. The technology is not perfect and still has many years of improvements to go, and there really is no direct evidence of companies getting a return on investment as it is so expensive. This problem is compounded when assessed through a small business lens. With more limited resources and data, as it stands it could be fiscally irresponsible to invest in this technology as there is hardly any likelihood that that investment will pay off.

Moreover, small businesses often have more specialized needs and business practices than larger corporations. That AI would be able to support only with the skills of a few people and resources able to create the technology needed for these businesses. Because of the lack of availability, and the specific needs of small businesses, it is not worth it to spend copious amounts of money in order to obtain this technology.

On top of acquiring this new technology, infrastructure must be in place in order to govern it and make sure it is secure. This adds on to an already exorbitant cost and creates a sustained fixed cost of having this technology incorporated into small businesses. Even with this infrastructure in place, an overwhelmingly large percentage of small businesses do not yet need this technology to become more profitable. However, as technology becomes cheaper and more accessible, perhaps these opportunities will be more relevant to small businesses.

While no company should be rushing into incorporating AI into their business, this does not mean they should entirely rule it out. AI is a fascinating technology with benefits that could, one day, far outweigh the costs. Even now, in more indirect ways, some small businesses are using AI technology and it is proving to be a benefit in many larger companies.

However, with that, there are a few key takeaways from using AI as a small business. AI is not an instant benefit and has no guarantee (currently) that it will help turn a profit. It also is still shrouded with confusion, as it is a newer technology, and few people really know the intricacies of the technology. Finally, the mad rush to be the first to have this technology should not be done simply for merit, as that can run businesses into the ground with the expenses. There should be tangible, fiscally responsible uses for this technology that makes its purchase and maintenance worthwhile.

Source: https://www.techrepublic.com/article/small-business-owners-dont-rush-into-using-ai/

On the surface, it seems pretty simple, Past Performance is a huge contributor to how likely contractors are to win an award. However, this statement runs deep and often is contested and misunderstood by small businesses. During a recent contesting of an award to a rival competitor, a small business contractor found out that past performance should relate to solicited services rather than similar titles, etc.

The Government Accountability Office recently decided during this contestation, that the requirements of the past contract should match the requirements for any future contract. In this scenario, Technica was one of three offerors for a TSA requirement for screening services at a Floridian airport. The contract was to be judged on the best value and the most relevant past performance examples. Past performance would be judged based on similar size, scope, and complexity to the new contract. The TSA found that Technica only had one example that matched with this requirement. Technica challenged the award, arguing that it was wrong for the TSA to only consider one of its past performance examples. They argued that the solicitation never explicitly mentioned that the applicant needed these specific services, and therefore the examples they offered should all have been legitimate.

The GAO denied this protest arguing that past performance always includes evaluating the scope of the previous services. While these services were never explicitly mentioned, the criteria that were given should have made it clear that this was the case.  The lesson learned from this example is clear, that offerors should give a past performance that aligns with the requirements stated in the solicitation. While again, this may seem trivial and obvious, this case is not alone in its sentiments. That is, this problem has come up before and to win contracts, companies should understand this seemingly simple problem.

Sources:

http://smallgovcon.com/gaobidprotests/gao-past-performance-should-relate-to-solicited-services/

http://smallgovcon.com/gaobidprotests/past-performance-does-duration-matter/

Technology is changing the daily operations and processes of businesses, and that is no secret, but perhaps the different philosophies and uses of technology in business is important to understand and may not be universal knowledge. Technology has made business faster, more competitive, and more cost-effective, yet it also has some negative effects. Data management and security is an example of how to prevent these negative aspects from coming into play.

The first major area of concern when discussing the potential benefits of technology is developing a more productive workplace. For example, tools exist that can help manage productivity and track progress in a given timeframe. Perhaps, more importantly, it can be used to see where time is spent, and how to mitigate either wasted time or excess time being spent in certain areas of work. On the same token, businesses can use project management tools in order to help organize tasks and prioritize tasks in order to help facilitate further productivity. Finally, managing emails and files and organizing these two processes is a simple solution that can potentially develop into saved time and a more efficient workspace. Administrative and logistical problems can hamper someone’s ability to do things efficiently and therefore should be managed in a way to save time in these areas.

Technology can also help manage the financial aspect of business by making it simpler, more efficient, and more cost effective. A good example of this is using online invoicing services, tax filing services, or budget tracking. Each of these is cost-effective, and more efficient, ways to deal with finances. Often this category of business can seem time-consuming and often beleaguers employees with pages and pages of documents. Using online services can help in this regard by making the process faster and with better results.

Marketing is a third great example of an area that can be made more effective through the proper uses of technology. Marketing plans can be created using software to better map out plans for the future, and social media, if used properly, can be a very effective tool in marketing to new customers. Recently, many big businesses have taken to sites such as twitter, to reach a younger demographic. Additionally, their ability to personalize a twitter for a multi-million dollar business has proven very effective in getting new revenue. Actively using a website can also effectively market your services or products as that too can show that your business is engaged with customers. An example of this engagement could be a blog that is updated weekly, to show that the community you are in is both human, and engaging.

In any team-oriented business, those teams need to be able to communicate and collaborate effectively. Teleconference calls, and video conference calls (or webinars) can be used to create a more closely-knit community through more face time or talking time between employees who may be at different offices. Online business training initiatives can also go a long way in educating your employees and making them more knowledgeable of the market and the business. Finally, cloud services, or a secure intranet, can be used to make sure everyone has access to the same files, thereby eliminating the problem of missing or accidentally deleted files.

Any viable business needs to have customer service to troubleshoot problems, and help customers come to solutions. Large businesses have taken to social media to help with customer service. By messaging someone on Twitter or Facebook, people can easily get in contact with any business. Additionally, customer service appointments can be made online and that can make it easier for people to come to your customer service representatives for help. Finally, online surveys have been increasingly used recently in order to get immediate customer feedback.

Using online and software services can help any business grow as they make processes more efficient and cost effective. Going paperless and using mobile office services can help save money on those supplies and can make information sharing faster. With the rise of the internet, businesses are on the dawn of a new industrial age, and the expanse of these practices will help thrust our economy into the future.

Source:

https://www.thebalancesmb.com/how-to-technology-in-small-business-2951633

The United States recently became the last country to ground the Boeing 737 Max aircraft. This decision comes after days of mounting pressure by the public and the government to investigate and evaluate the processes behind the aircraft, and why the two most recent crashes have been eerily similar in their causation.

This incident alone has resulting in Boeing going on the defensive with the public and the media. Their stock has dropped 11% and they have lost nearly $29 billion in market value. Such an economic hit is indicative of a need for sweeping process change within the company, both in terms of plane assembly and testing before they are used by companies. The issue is, many plane orders and contracts are usually old, and often take years to complete. However, many airlines, including Norwegian Airlines, are demanding compensation from Boeing for revenues lost due to the sudden grounding of those planes. The issue is becoming increasingly costly for Boeing, but its own mistakes are farther reaching than that.

Boeing is also a government contractor for the Air force, being that they are a top competitor in the airline industry. They, for example are the only company capable of constructing the 737 Max, but when it comes to military tankers, the story gets a bit more complicated. Following the two aforementioned crashes, the USAF had its confidence in Boeing shaken as their KC-46 tanker (plane used to refuel other jets) was found to be malfunctioning, and inspectors were finding Foreign Object Debris (FOD).

The USAF described the issue as part of an assembly line culture that that left assembly tools to be left in the tanker, after the order was delayed almost two years. Such a simple problem left officials worried as it pointed to a problem with the very mechanical processes the company uses. They knew of development issues that hampered the company over the past two years and correcting these issues could cost Boeing an additional $3 billion.

Customers and clients of the company seems to be angry at their losses due to grounded flights, the government has become wary of the company’s processes and may discontinue working with them, and the public’s perception of flying a Boeing aircraft is tainted by this incident. These perceptions (that this debacle has created) may not go away anytime soon, and the losses companies are taking as a result may not ever be repaid.

Sources:

https://www.govexec.com/contracting/2019/03/boeing-has-severe-situation-after-parts-left-tankers-says-top-usaf-buyer/155547/?oref=channeltopstory

https://www.boston25news.com/news/boeing-takes-hit-to-its-reputation-after-2-plane-crashes/930655921

https://taskandpurpose.com/boeing-grounds-kc-46-tanker-jets

International women’s day is celebrated on March 8^th every year. The earliest Women’s Day observance, called “National Woman’s Day,” was held on February 28, 1909, in New York, organized by the Socialist Party of America at the suggestion of Theresa Malkiel. The 1910 International Socialist Woman’s Conference suggested a Women’s Day be held annually. After women gained suffrage in Soviet Russia in 1917, March 8 became a national holiday there. The day was then predominantly celebrated by the socialist movement and communist countries until it was adopted in 1975 by the United Nations. Nowadays, International Women’s Day is a public holiday. In some countries, it is a day of protest; in others, it is a day to celebrate womanhood.

Women have made strides in gaining equalizing rights throughout history, from the right to vote to the current push for equal pay for equal work. Notably, Representative Jeannette Rankin was the first woman to serve in federal office, sworn into the 65^th U.S. Congress in 1917. The 19^th Amendment, stating “The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex,” was passed in Congress in 1919 and ratified in 1920; this amendment ensured female suffrage.

Fast forward to the year 2018, when 131 women were elected to serve in the U.S. Congress. The 116^th Congress is the most diverse in history, and women are represented now more than ever before. Current Speaker of the House, Representative Nancy Pelosi from California’s 12^th Congressional District, expressed, “It gives me pride to be the woman Speaker of the House of this Congress, which marks 100 years since women won the right to vote, and as we serve with more than 100 women.” With a total of 535 seats in the U.S. Congress (435 representatives and 100 senators), the number of 131 women in these seats is about 24%. From 1 seat to 131, our nation saw an immense increase in representation for women at the federal level.

Today, we celebrate the accolades of women throughout history along with the women who are making history in the present. This year, the theme for International Women’s Day is: “Think equal, build smart, innovate for change”. The focus of the theme is on innovative ways in which to advance gender equality and the empowerment of women, particularly in the areas of social protection systems, access to public services and sustainable infrastructure.

Happy International Women’s Day!

Sources:

https://blog.untappd.com/post/183299448636/international-womens-day-2019

https://www.history.com/topics/womens-history/the-fight-for-womens-suffrage

https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2019/01/14/us/politics/women-of-the-116th-congress.html