Change always starts at the top.

I’ve worked with many executives that resisted change, especially changes in technology.  They prefer the old phone and a secretary, with whom they can assign unwanted digital duties.

In reality, dealing with waves of digital technology development is simple.  You just buy the latest gadget and play with it, finding ways it can simplify your personal and business life.  But the problem is some people are “too busy” to learn, and show no interest.

I think anyone who runs a business should accept that technology isn’t just a means of communication and obsession for young people, but a new marketing and sales outlet.  We’ve gone from text, to BBM, to apps, to sending emails through 3G networks like they’re texts.  Today, we are ever closer to the customer and expected to respond 24/7.

I believe the head of a company should know how to set up a blog, edit it, and use social networking tools like Facebook and Twitter.  These tools are not a waste of time.  Successful business people like Steve Case and Fred Wilson, all have presence in social media and are the sole providers of the content on their accounts.

It must be required that a new CEO understand and USE the latest technology.  Avoiding technology in the 21st century is myopic and blinds you from seeing business opportunities.