As a business owner or leader, you already wear enough hats. Sales, finance, operations, customer relationships, and on and on. Then, when technology issues keep creeping onto your plate, it’s usually a sign your business has outgrown a “do-it-yourself” or “call when it breaks” approach to technology.
So how do you know when it’s time to bring in an outside IT partner? Here are five of the signs that I often see in organizations:
1. Employees spend too much of their time fixing problems, not doing their jobs
It’s one thing for someone to reboot a printer or reset a Wi-Fi connection now and then. But if your team is constantly getting pulled into tech troubleshooting, that’s lost productivity. A good IT partner ensures your employees spend their time where it matters, serving customers and driving growth.
2. Downtime is costing you money (and peace of mind)
Every minute your systems are down; whether it’s email, your ERP or even just internet connectivity, you’re losing more than productivity. Downtime can delay orders, frustrate customers and erode trust. A proactive IT partner keeps systems running smoothly and catches small issues before they become costly shutdowns. Sure, there is no such thing as a 100% guarantee in any part of life, but a true partner will make sure they’re doing everything they can to keep operations moving. Then, if catastrophe strikes, they’re there to help you through it and make it right.
3. Security keeps you up at night
Cybersecurity threats aren’t just for Fortune 500 companies. Small and mid-sized businesses are increasingly targeted because hackers know many don’t have dedicated protection in place. If you don’t have clear answers for questions like, “How is our data backed up?” or, “What’s our response plan if we’re targeted?”—that’s a red flag (and a big ol’ target on your back). A true IT partner provides layered protection, employee training and recovery planning so you can sleep easier, or at all!
4. Technology decisions feel overwhelming and non-stop
Cloud vs. on-prem? Microsoft vs. Google? Which software integrates with your current systems? Leaders shouldn’t have to make tech choices by trial and error. An IT partner acts as your advisor, helping you choose solutions that fit your goals, budget and industry compliance needs. To see more about how this should be done, check out Todd’s recent blog post.
5. You’ve outgrown the “break-fix” approach
Maybe you started by calling a techie friend or contractor whenever something broke beyond your own capabilities. That worked for a while; maybe it still works (to an extent). But today, with more employees, more data and more systems, being reactive puts your business at risk. A managed IT approach shifts the focus to prevention and strategy, aligning your technology with your long-term growth plans.
Choosing an IT partner
Technology should enable your business, not hold it back. If any of these five signs feel familiar, it might be time to consider partnering with an outside IT provider. The right partner won’t just fix problems; they’ll help you avoid them, protect your business and make sure your technology supports your vision for growth.
Time to take your tech to the next level to support your growth? Reach out today to learn about our approach to IT partnership.
