As an IT consultant, Computer St. Louis has come across many clients who are not happy with the way their IT shaped up over the years. They feel their IT investments never really yielded the kind of returns they expected and have come to us looking for change and new ideas. When we take a closer look at their IT investments, here are 4 mistakes that we often see.
Mistake #1: IT is not a priority
This is the number one mistake small to medium sized businesses (or SMBs) make. They’re focused on business growth, which includes marketing, sales, and inventory, but they don’t allocate any resources or money towards IT. Often IT investments are made begrudgingly. This is an easy trap for businesses in this segment to fall into. However, the downside of this decision often means running their business with inefficient tools and high exposure to risk from cyberthreats.
Mistake #2: The latest or “best” technology might or might not be a good fit
This is in contrast to the issue discussed above. Many SMBs realize the key role that IT plays in their business success. But they tend to get carried away and invest in the latest IT trends without considering whether it fits their business needs well, or if they really need it. Sometimes it is just a case of keeping up with the Joneses. But, why spend your budget on the newest and fanciest solution when it may be overkill?
At Computer St. Louis our aim is to understand your business so we can help you find a solution that is the right fit and scales with your business as it grows.
Mistake #3: Your team is not on the same page
When you bring in new technology or even new IT policies, it is your team that needs to work on it on a daily basis. If your staff is not on the same page with you, your IT investment is unlikely to succeed. So, before you make that transition from local desktops to the cloud, or change line-of-business software, or roll out that new bring your own device (BYOD) policy, make sure you have your staff on your side.
Mistake #4: IT not being put into good use
The lure of new technology is like a shiny, new toy. Investing in something popular and then not using it to its maximum is commonplace. Make sure you make the most of your investment in IT by providing your staff with adequate training on how to use it.
IT can seem challenging to navigate when you have to do it all by yourself. Steep costs can be incurred and without guidance, the result of an investment can be unclear. As a managed service provider (MSP), Computer St. Louis has the experience and expertise needed to be your trusted partner and guide you through these challenges. Let us help you make the most of your IT investment.