Week 47 (9.3.08)

Learn

Linking IT Strategy to Business Strategy

IT strategy and business strategy must be linked, influencing each other and responding to the rapid environmental changes.

Organizations that make effective use of IT have the following characteristics:

1. Vision - clear vision on how IT can make them more effective
2. Alignment - IT activities and investments are always closely aligned with business priorities
3. Emerging technology - assess how emerging technologies can impact their competitive environment
4. Technology sourcing - make choices of what to keep in house and what to outsource; constantly evaluate whether they are best in class at performing certain activities

Unlearn

NIL. Now i can comprehend better how IT is linked to Business Strategy

Relearn

Capability: Improve Inventory Tracking & Sourcing

Vision: To improve the out-of-stock situation for major products. Technology can help us to monitor and indicate when the stocks are low and appropriate sourcing. Ultimately, we should be able to address the dissatisfaction of our customers and improve customer relationship with Pfizer.

Alignment: Our biggest issue at the moment is the frequent out of stock situation for fast moving products. IT primary focus is on improving manufacturing, shipping and time of delivery to customers. Within the sales function, the most critical is identifying the purchasing patterns of customers and ensure on time delivery.

Emerging technology: Perhaps this technology can be used to create a mechanism for collecting data that shows low in stock and alert the sales managers/logistic manager.

Technology sourcing: Adopt a technology standard to reduce cost.