We all have the horror stories… the cell phone that died, the computer crashed, the broadband internet service that died exactly when you needed it. These things are the hazards of technology. They are the price we pay to be so interconnected, so wired, so accessible. They make our lives so much easier in some ways, but in other ways they at best stress us out and at the very worst, place us in danger.
Research In Motion’s communication system failed Blackberry users two days ago and this resulted in 10 hours of puzzlement, panic, anxiety, anger among Blackberry users.
Where business deals are urgent and communication is of vital importance technology failure has serious ramifications. A breakdown in communication can lead to loss of business opportunities, loss of market strength and can negatively affect image and the bottom line.
The same is true in for certain non-profits. UN Peace Keepers, medical organizations such as doctors without borders as well as aid workers all depend on technology to take them a step further in their duties every day. Certain missions are so delicate that they leave no room for mistakes. While a temporary technology failure can hurt a business, it is even more paralyzing when lives are at stake.
It is necessary that non-profits – especially those organizations that handle life-sensitive matters, strive to have the most developed, streamlined and dependable systems. Unfortunately money for NGOs is in scarce supply so administrators must use their creativity and their deligence to ensure that organization members are not placed in unnecessary danger and that they are not prevented from conducting their duties simply becase their technology is not up to scratch.
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