Editor's Note: The following guest contribution was edited for length and Inno/AP Style.
There are a lot of elements to consider when growing your business, especially in a highly competitive space such as the startup market. An investment such as a command center can seem intimidating, but if you have the funding, it is an important step to take in developing your business.
For a fledgling business on the up and up, an operations center can contribute in a number of ways. From more traditional applications (such as monitoring physical security or information security) to newer mission critical tasks (such as social media listening/brand monitoring), nearly every business can benefit from a central location to monitor data and analytics.
While the term “command and control” may bring to mind NASA-like rooms with hundreds of console desks and a giant video wall, the truth of the matter is that command centers come in every scale and scope. For a small business looking for a leg up on the competition, a central hub of operations can still be within reach.
Here are a few ways that a command center can help you weather the challenges of running a startup:
Gaining Trust
One of the main difficulties startups face is gaining trust from potential customers. Every startup must build their reputation from the ground up. A command center such as a cyber security center which monitors and protects sensitive data is one way to gain their trust.
Establishing Authority
It is important to establish your company as having authority. Implementing a command center shows that you are serious about what you are doing.
Emphasizing Collaboration
A centralized command center can bring together people from various departments to share data. A video wall displays pertinent information in an accessible location where all can see and work with it.
Enabling Efficiency
Operational efficiency is vital to every organization, but especially one in the highly competitive startup market.
Streamlining Marketing
An operations center can be used as a marketing tool. Tours of the space show potential clients or investors that your company is organized and competent. Additionally, operations centers can be used for social media listening and monitoring mentions of your brand, ensuring your PR team can respond rapidly to any emerging event.
Looking Forward
The key to success in any vertical is planning for the future. Running a business comes with risk. Accidents happen; it is wise to be prepared so that you can face them head on and efficiently when they occur. An ops center can help coordinate that response.
In addition, should the business continue to grow, an operations center will be necessary in future. Planning and building it now will ensure you do not fall behind in this vital piece of your business.
Regardless of the industry your startup plans to break into, there is likely an application for a command center in your space to help propel you forward. To figure out which type of operations center best fits your company, take a moment to consider your goals and how sharing and displaying real-time data might help you achieve them.
Constant Technologies, Inc. is a North Kingstown-based provider of audio-visual integration and custom control center furniture for command center environments in the public and private sectors. With over 30 years of experience throughout the world, we understand the rigorous requirements of an operations center.
