It pains me to see good people getting bad advice when it comes to technology.  Culprits include horrible websites, custom software that shouldn’t be written, and IT vendors treating technology like an out-of-reach and separate world than their clients’.  The influencers who spread outdated, expensive, and erroneous information should get a clue or quit their jobs–because they’re not helping anyone.I’ve worked with companies of all sizes and one of two things is usually the case: the technology that runs their business could use an overhaul and they know it (which is not ideal but at least understandable), or more often than not a business is complacent about their technology and don’t realize all the money and hours that they’re wasting.I’m not saying every business should use the latest-and-greatest or bleeding edge–I’m a firm believer that there’s a tipping point when a time or financial investment in technology becomes worthwhile.  It’s not only the businesses’ fault that they haven’t chosen the right tools–in many cases they have attempted to do so–it’s often that the advice they’re getting could be much improved.Websites, SEO, design.  Why are websites still created that can’t easily be updated?  A website without CSS, some sort of templating or CMS, and web friendly graphics does not deserve to be alive in 2007.  An organization doesn’t need to spend $15k to get a 3 page site that reinforces an identity–this is simple stuff and every web developer or designer needs to know and practice this.  While they’re at it, they ought to show their client how to find their web stats and make basic site modifications.SaaS, web 2.0, open-source. There are so many applications out there that perform what businesses need to accomplish.  The fastest way to solve a client’s need is not to get a SQL and IIS Server and start coding in .NET.  It’s to see what software has solved similar challenges.  From outsourcing one’s email to project management to CRM to ERP–it’s been done with hosted applications, off the shelf products, and open source tools.  Many times.  And it doesn’t have to be expensive.  If there’s not a tool or API available, there’s probably at least some insight to be gained by the way people have already attempted to solve a similar problem.  Creating a custom application for something that’s available already is not good business–it’s dishonest.There may be a gap between us and them when it comes to knowing what’s going on online.  But the barrier of entry for people who want to blog, to use RSS, or to draw traffic to their site is not technology–it’s a little bit of information.  Advisers owe it to their clients to keep them informed of what’s going on and to suggest ways they can improve their organizations or win new business.  More things are happening now online than ever before, which means that one should have more opportunities to serve their clients with technology than in the past.So if you’re a technology adviser, stay abreast so that you can help your clients with all the exciting and practical tools now available.  And if you think you might be receiving bad advice (or if you don’t feel technology is helping your business very much), look around for a second opinion.