Author: Tim

Having a basic understanding of IT is becoming increasingly important. Whether you are a small business owner or a tech-savvy individual, managing your IT needs can save you time, money, and frustration.

PLEASE NOTE: I’m about to rattle off a bunch of stuff. If you don’t understand what any of this is, don’t worry. I’ll have additional articles that will explain all of this.

This starts by knowing the different components of a computer, such as the CPU, RAM, and hard drive, and how they work together. It is also important to be familiar with different operating systems, such as Windows and MacOS,

Next, understanding computer networking basics is essential. The starting point is understanding how devices connect to the Internet and to each other and the different types of networks, such as Local Area Networks (LANs) and Wide Area Networks (WANs), at a conceptual level. You don’t really need to go beyond that.

Another important skill for managing your own IT needs is knowing how to back up and protect your personal, business, and sensitive information. With the increasing threat of cyber-attacks and data breaches, it is crucial to have a backup plan in case of a disaster. This includes regularly backing up your data to an external hard drive and cloud storage, as well as implementing security measures such as firewalls and antivirus software. By taking these precautions, you can protect your important files and information from being lost or compromised.

Stick with me. It can be done easily, and you can do it.

In addition to technical skills, good problem-solving and critical thinking skills are essential for managing your IT needs. You own your own business, so you already have these skills. We just need to add a couple of tools to your toolbox, and we will.

At this point in the article, I’m supposed to write about the importance of staying current with the latest technology, software updates, security patches, and emerging technologies.

You don’t.

Yes, technology is constantly evolving, and new problems and challenges arise all the time. But, and this is a big but, everything you need to know about your software is on your software vendor’s website. When you sign-up, they will email you updates on how to better use their products constantly.

You will come across websites that provide helpful information—kinda… Like this one. 😁 But the long and short of it is, you won’t need to go to all this extra effort to stay in the loop. The information will find you. Sorry to be so zen, but it will.

When necessary, being able to think critically and troubleshoot issues on your own can save you time and money and give you a sense of accomplishment. It is also important to be patient and persistent when facing technical problems, since they may not always have a straightforward solution. You will get there.

Lastly, your good communication skills are important for managing your own IT needs. This includes clearly articulating technical issues to others and asking for help when needed. Communicating effectively with technical support teams is also important since they can provide valuable assistance and guidance when facing complex issues.

Being your own IT department simply requires adding a few new tools to your toolbox. Simply combine some technical skills with your current problem-solving abilities and willingness to learn and adapt. You can effectively manage your IT needs by adding a basic understanding of computer hardware and software, networking, data backup, and security.

With the ever-increasing reliance on technology, these skills are becoming increasingly essential for individuals and businesses alike. So don’t be afraid to take on the challenge and become your own IT department – you may just surprise yourself with what you can accomplish.

Hello! I’m Tim Lorge. For the past thirty-plus years, I’ve helped organizations of all sizes develop, run, maintain, and upgrade their IT systems. These include startups, small, medium, and large businesses, non-profits, and even the public sector.

I’ve built networks from the ground up, run mission-critical systems, designed and implemented upgrade plans, developed websites, written documentation, and developed and performed training seminars. You name it; I’ve done it.

However, lately, I’ve seen many solopreneurs and entrepreneurs working with too many bits and bobs. There’s the free email address here, maybe a disconnected website, a smattering of documents created on one or many disparate websites, stored in a jumbled mess in the cloud somewhere. Oh, and let’s not forget all the apps that are so easy to install and forget.

While all these bits and bobs are tremendously helpful in and of themselves, they quickly add up to become a baffling, incoherent, and perplexing mess!

I didn’t have to look far to see these solopreneurs and entrepreneurs in techno hell! I wonder how much money they are losing.

Does any of this sound familiar?

The real shame is that with just a little time, their IT could be sorted and streamlined, which would, in turn, take their business to the next level.

That, in a nutshell, is why I started Your Small Biz IT Department.

We live in the most amazing time in history. Technology is relatively cheap and easy to acquire, and it is not going away. Technophobia, or, more correctly, techno-ambivalence, is not an option.

The problem is without a plan and proper guidance, you end up with a jumbled mess which causes you to lose money.

My mission here is to help you organize the IT in your business so you can clean up the jumbled mess, get organized, and grow your business faster than you ever thought possible.

So, I invite you to grab a cup of your favorite beverage and dive in!