Sustainable Land Development Today - March 2009 - (Page 18)

SLDT FINANCE TECHNOLOGY An Opportunity to Buy into Advanced Technology Economic recovery hinges on companies getting out of the “operations box.” By C. Jason Smith, PhD ompanies embracing increased productivity through technology will drive the world’s economic recovery. That belief is what mandates topranked, global technology companies to continue to support strong research and development (R&D) efforts. Without a constant stream of new, innovative, around-the-corner technologies, both the company brand and market-share suffer. That holds true in good times, and especially in a recessionary period. The current economic recession provides an incredible window of opportunity for forward-thinking companies. Taking advantage of new technologies and making conscientious and researched investments in equipment and instruments when prices are affordable will be the difference in simply existing when the economic recovers and being at a strong, competitive advantage on every single job. In tough times, increasing productivity through the acceptance of technological breakthroughs can be the difference between success and failure. Embracing revolutionary technology will be the difference in being competitive and trailing the competition. The economic turnaround for the U.S. and the global marketplace will be technology-fueled, driven by the products C developed by companies to increase productivity for the customers that buy them. This is the time for those innovators who pride themselves on thinking “outside the box” to turn to new technologies. It is also time for more conventional thinkers who do not feel particularly comfortable taking risks, to work to expand the size and perception of their “operations box.” The key to any successful business is the managing of time to optimize results. Companies looking for every competitive edge constantly search for ways to save time and money on every phase of every job. The scenario is quite simple. If you find a technology that makes machines and people more productive, the company becomes more competitive. If you look at what technological breakthroughs can do to not only help you make it through a market slide, but exceed, or even double, the average industry productivity measurements, you will be in the driver’s seat when business turns around. For a reference point, look to history. The companies that emerged strong and viable from the Great Depression in the 1930s adopted emerging technologies after the economy collapsed. Those companies made investments in technology during a devastating economic depression to maximize productivity. The same situation exists today. Too many construction-instrument and product-technology manufacturers tend to cut back R&D resources when business slumps. Manufacturing companies who rely on technological innovations to create their products take the exact opposite approach; they maintain or increase R&D expenditures that tran- 18 March 2009 Sustainable Land Development Today

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Sustainable Land Development Today - March 2009

Sustainable Land Development Today - March 2009 Contents Our Voice: Energy Savings Accounts Mining the Sewers for On-site Reuse Modern Flood Disasters The Financial Challenge of Leed® Technology: Opportunities Exist to Buy in Now SLDI In Focus: A Look Inside Calendar of Events Energy: Solar Power on Rails Industry News Products & Services The Bottom Line: Green Lending – Class G Advertiser Index Editorial Board SLDT Resources Last Word: Not All Gloom & Doom

Sustainable Land Development Today - March 2009

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