Boston based IT analyst and research firm Gartner came out with a list of top 10 disruptive technologies - for big companies. These are technologies that the big companies need to be aware of that can help their business grow if implemented properly or that their competition will execute and "up the competitive temperature" several degrees.

Connect IT writes Multi-core and hybrid processors, virtualization and fabric computing, and social networks will be the top three disruptive technologies for 2008 to 2012, according to research and advisory firm Gartner. Rounding out the rest of the Top 10 list are cloud computing and cloud/Web platforms, Web mashups, user interface, ubiquitous computing, contextual computing, augmented reality, and semantics.

The implications for CIOs, according to Gartner Fellow David Cearley, is that they will have to start thinking beyond the constraints of the conventional in order to identify the technologies that might be in widespread use a few years from now. Those who see their jobs as simply "keeping the data center running, business continuity planning and finding new tech toys to show people" will not survive.

For smaller businesses, the idea is important - although the technologies might be different. I've written my own list of "Six Technology Rules for Growing Your Business"

In order to evaluate and understand how best to implement technology in your business you must have a technology business plan in place. This plan is critical and coincides with your traditional business plan. If you know that in 6 months you plan to expand from 3 locations to 10 locations, your technology plan needs to consider this expansion, for example. Maybe you have one physical location but will add 20 new sales staff who work from their home - issues of telephone, remote computing and other details must be considered.
The corporate mind set you need to implement the right technology at the right time is so important. Speak with your local technology consultant about how best to ensure you are maximizing your use of technology.

For example, virtualization sounds like something for VERY large businesses or geeks, however, it's a technology which is affordable for smaller businesses. Virtualization enables you to reduce server space. Reduced server space means more space, less power consumption, being kinder to the environment and saving money.

A quick list of basics are:

• Web site - get yours refreshed and evaluated on a regular basis
• Email newsletter - the same one you had 5 years ago, might not be the best one for 2008
• Telephone system - your telephone is more than the plastic appliance on your desk, it's a SYSTEM that can dramatically enhance your operations
• Security - if you are not securing your computers, networks and mobile devices you're leaving your business, customers and employees open to series attack
• Mobility - being able to operate your business out of the office just as if you were in the office is critical and quite affordable.

Others include backup, wireless, and training.

These are just a few things, maybe I'll put together a list of more things later on. Use the comments and add your own "top 10 list"