Elements welcomes our IT partner, Carlos Perez of Perez Technology Group, for his take on why it’s important to have an IT expert to turn to when the going gets rough (from an IT perspective, that is). Below, Carlos shares some insight that we think could spark helpful conversations within your own small business.
Why should small businesses (even a solopreneur) have an IT partner? Small businesses are more at risk than larger companies as they don’t always have access to the resources to help them recover from an unfortunate event like data loss. It’s invaluable for small businesses to have an IT partner to offer guidance and provide solutions; if you feel that you don’t have the need to hire a full-time team member, a remote, on-call IT partner can be a great option.
What are some tips you can give for preparing for the unpredictable? Preparing for the unpredictable in IT means being proactive with your systems and processes, such as locking-down plans for cybersecurity, disaster recovery and continuity. With so many people switching to working remotely this year, businesses who embraced cloud-based systems early on found themselves at a strategic advantage because they were able to make the transition quicker and more seamlessly.
What can we do to protect ourselves / computers / files from malicious activity? Businesses have to be dedicated to monitoring their systems, and keeping their employees informed is a great foundational place to start. Consider offering a basic cybersecurity training session for employees to make sure everyone is up to speed on current best practices.
What questions should business owners ask when searching for an IT partner? When searching for an IT partner, it’s important to ask questions about the main programs / software platforms your business uses, and any qualifications that are related to those platforms. Also consider asking what suggestions they have to better your business from a tech-efficiency standpoint; a collaborative IT professional who will help you think holistically about the success of your business is the best kind of partner to have on your team.
Takeaways
IT issues don’t discriminate; they affect companies of all shapes and sizes. We all need to troubleshoot from time to time, but having the right partner by your side (figuratively) can mean the difference between a short blip in productivity and a catastrophic mishap that your business may struggle to recover from. Want to continue the conversation? Give us a shout at amy@elementsdesign.com or 203-776-1323.
