Legacy Foundation Business and Leadership

Archive for November, 2011

Many run into the problem of differentiating between a systems analyst and a business analyst.  The differences in some organizations do not exist.  In other companies, the comparison is almost an insult.  Depending on the business or corporation, there are many differences.  The job title is not the only thing with which to compare these two separate roles.  The problem occurs when the title is not so conclusive.  The business systems analyst or the systems business analyst can actually be one or the other or both.  Job description is the only way to tell when this happens.  There are differences, though.

A systems analyst is capable of looking at a program or utility and see the code.  They can go in and pinpoint where changes need to be made.  They can incorporate the new data into an existing program for benefiting the company.  The systems analyst can collect data and transform it into usable code for a new project or program.  They can recognize where problems may lie in the code itself.  They can rewrite this code to alleviate the problem.  Usually, the systems analyst can consult with other IT members in technical jargon foreign to the business stakeholders.  The stakeholders are just grateful the job is being done.

The business analyst has a more complicated position.  He or she must not only understand the way IT speaks but also how the stakeholders speak.  The business analyst is more of a people person.  He or she acts as a liaison between management and IT.  A business analyst will be able to look at all aspects of the company and discover underlying causes for system failures.  He or she may not be able to write the code to fix the issue.  The business analyst can at least come up with the concept of what the code is supposed to do.

The business analyst can retrieve reports and data from IT and transform it into reports needed to develop a project plan or program.  Further development and research may be needed from another department which the business analyst is capable of doing.  This is not to say the systems analyst can not do the job.  The systems analyst is more black and white when it comes to this.  The true business analyst is more creative and more flexible.

The business analyst is one who can pull teams together to focus on the outcome of a project.  He or she will be good at heading up meetings to present information in an easily understood language.  The business analysis will be motivational, a driving force behind the project plan.

Both are essential for good business.  The systems analyst may need the business analyst to determine what is needed for the code to work effectively.  The business analyst needs the systems analyst to make the code work effectively.  Working together, these two people can accomplish great things for the company.  There are certain companies who have both needs met with one person or a team of people.  It is all a matter of choice.  Trying to decide between the two may cause more headache than just hiring two people, or one who is qualified,  to get the task at hand done.

While reading some very informative material recently, I found myself inspired by a concept that enables a person to soar to higher heights.  The concept of adding value to everything you do, when applied to specific areas of a person’s life, can bring that person to be highly sought after by those receiving the added value.  The material I was reading focused on business and what this concept will do for the success of a business.  Another way of looking at this concept is in the idea of doing more than is expected, or doing more than that which you are compensated to do.  When doing this a person will be “weighed” against others who do not.  In comparison, the person who adds value to all he/she does will be sought after to the degree that there will be keen competition for his/her service.  As a person becomes more and more recognized for doing more than he/she is compensated to do, he/she will begin receiving more and more compensation for their services.

There is an additional benefit that comes to the person who exercises this concept in his/her business; the development of that person’s strength.  In nature, do you suppose the strongest trees are those that are protected from the storms and hidden from the sun?  This isn’t the case.  The one that stands out in the open and bears all of the winds and rain and is shone upon by the blistering sun is the tree that develops the strength to withstand  the most violent weather.  This also is the case for the person who goes beyond expectation to deliver added value in everything he/she does.  This is the person that becomes strong enough to succeed despite the adversities that one is sure to come up against in his/her business.  The fact that most people are delivering as little as they can get by with, serves as a great advantage to you when you deliver added value.  One who delivers as little as he/she can, may rest assured he/she will receive the same.

I hope this information will add value to all of your experiences.
Joe Clinton.

Home-based businesses that become successful may end up having to leave the home eventually for expansion. This can be a very hard decision to make for the owner. The idea of now spending more money to expand can be scary. One does not have many of the money sucking problems as the business owners of yesteryears. The really long leases, huge security deposits, renovations, and equipment costs are not that bad anymore. There are many options today for the home business owner to get affordable and flexible space with out costing too much and having to sign a long-term agreement. When you go to a business center you will get that office with a desk but also can expect to have Internet and many other perks. So what are some of the benefits of a business office center?

* Convenient location in a high traffic areas
* Fully furnished offices and suites
* Individual Offices and/or Team Rooms
* Conference Rooms with services provided
* Business identity services or virtual offices
* Receptionist services
* Incredible phone and voice mail systems
* High speed Internet services
* Computer and networking support
* Copy, scanner, and fax systems
* LCD projectors
* Digital Camera
* Complementary coffee and water
* Convenient agreements that can range from 3 months to 5 years

There are top companies that specialize in these office centers all over the country. Corporations such as HQ Global Work Place, Corporate Suites, and SOS America offer these great services to those home business owners so they can broaden their horizons but not have to invest in more equipment or dismantle their home office space. This gives the owner the option of hiring others and still remaining at home if he or she so desires. There are even some companies that offer rental by the day or hour. Depending on what type of office space and the amenities you want you are looking at anywhere from a few hundred to few thousand per month. It truly depends on the location, services, and the office size you need.

The majority of these companies also offer virtual space as well. This is a low cost method of being able to provide a more business like atmosphere to your home office. You would be able to meet clients in a space a few times per week instead of in your living room. This gives your business a more professional look with out spending lots of money on an office space. There are mail programs offered that provide you with an address so you can receive and deliver business packages and mail. These virtual spaces also provide private offices and conference rooms. This will allow you to work from home primarily but meet with clients and get your mail at a business address to keep your home information private. Programs like this start at about $70 per month, which is extremely reasonable. There are also the virtual office packages that give you the same perks as the mail program but also give you a phone number, voice mail, live receptionist during business hours plus call-screening, forwarding, and patching. This type of offer starts at about $190 per month and you get your business name listed in the lobby for free. This is great for small home business owners who want to keep their personal information private.