IT Secret #1 – You, CIO … You can do it
Technology plays a crucial role in managing work-life balance for today’s solo, small business owners. From managing customer emails and documents to staying connected with family, friends, and colleagues, we rely heavily on technology to keep us organized and efficient.
In some respects, you are already are your own IT department. You have the responsibility of managing your own technology needs. This is perfect when it’s just you, but then the worst thing happens… your business takes off, and you need to hire staff
This may seem daunting initially, but the benefits far outweigh any initial challenges. Let’s take a closer look at some of the advantages of being your own IT department.
First and foremost, being your own IT department gives you complete control over your technology. You no longer have to rely on an external IT support team to troubleshoot issues or changes your systems. This means you can perform updates on your own schedule rather than when a technician is available, typically at some inconvenient time. This level of control can greatly increase your productivity and efficiency.
Another benefit of being your own IT department is cost savings. Hiring an external IT support team can be expensive, especially for small businesses or individuals. By taking on the role yourself, you can save a significant amount of money in the long run. Additionally, you have the freedom to choose which technology and tools to invest in rather than being limited by the preferences of an external IT team.
Being your own IT department also allows for a more personalized approach to your technology needs. You know your systems and processes better than anyone else and can tailor your IT solutions to fit your specific needs. This can lead to a more efficient and effective use of technology since it is customized to your unique requirements.
Moreover, being your own IT department can also improve your technical and business skills. As you manage your own technology, you will inevitably learn new skills and better understand how both your IT and business systems work. This, in turn, helps you grow your business faster.
In addition to these practical benefits, being your own IT department can also give you a sense of empowerment and independence. You no longer rely on external support for your technology needs, which can be incredibly empowering. You have the ability to solve problems and make changes on your own, which can boost your confidence and self-sufficiency.
You: Fearless
Of course, running your own IT department has its own set of challenges. It also requires a certain level of fearlessness.
It is often said that one needs to constantly expand one’s technical knowledge and learn and adapt to new technologies. To a certain extent, this is true, but I have a fundamental problem with this statement.
Why? It congers up the idea that you’ll be reading dozens of web pages or, worse, books with hundreds of pages spelling out way too much geek-speak that you don’t care about AND have to do this all the time. Ooo, and if you don’t, you’ll fall behind your competitors!!!!
In reality, you do not need to read mountains of documentation. If you know anyone who works in IT, and if they are honest with you, they’ll tell you they very rarely read the documentation. If they do, it’s to solve one problem in the moment, or they fall down a rabbit hole and come back up with some nugget of fun.
These challenges can be easily overcome with the abundance of online resources and tutorials available.
The great news is technology fundamentally stays the same.
Yes, developers will move stuff around in the interface and use snazzier graphics, but a word processing application is a word processing application. For example, Microsoft Office hasn’t changed much since 2007.
What does change is what’s buzzy. It’s the stuff tech companies market and journos, bloggers, and other people write about simply because they have a deadline.
Our job at YourSmallBizITDept.com is to help you eliminate the buzzing noise, become your own IT department, and realize the numerous benefits in store for you, including control, cost savings, personalization, skill development, and empowerment.
It may seem daunting at first, but with determination and a willingness to learn, anyone can successfully manage their own IT department. So why not try it and see the positive impact it can have on your personal and professional life?
