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The Franchisee’s Invisible Line
Lastly, when it comes to technology projects, the historical success of implementing technology for both the organization and the CIO creates another IDM Threshold. If the organization or the CIO has historically failed (in the franchisee’s mind) at implementing technology in the past, then the business case is in trouble. This causes debate on an emotional level rather than on an empirical level. Although this one is harder to quantify, the fact is that if the franchisees do not believe the organization either has the capability to successfully deploy a new technology or will deliver the promised results, then “It Doesn’t Matter” how good the business case is.
You may be thinking, “So should retail franchise IT only focus on delivering cheap and easy-to-use approaches?” In most cases, I would say, “Yes.” I do, however, believe that IDM Thresholds can be managed and changed over time. I think it is important for organizations to have explicit goals to manage IDM Thresholds. Here are some ways to improve your organizations IDM Thresholds:
So the next time you work with your partners in operations or marketing on a new technology package for your retail locations, talk to them about the organization’s IDM Thresholds. Make it part of how your company thinks about technology projects in the future. In the end, you will be better prepared to discuss the business case with your franchisees by openly talking about the hidden line on the business case.
What do you think? Love it or hate it, I’d love to gain some additional perspectives. Leave a comment, or E-mail me at Todd.Michaud@FranchiseIT.org.
-Marc
October 16th, 2009 at 8:59 pm
Maybe if the Franchiser paid some or all of the costs, Franchisees would be less reluctant?
You want me to spend X to update something, and Y to train all my people to use it? Ticking off customers in the meantime. And I have to pay?
Ha!
My 2 cents
Grins,