Why is it that some companies always seem to be at the head of the pack when it comes to technology, innovating and using cost-effective systems to give their employees and customers more? And, why do some other businesses struggle to make good tech-related decisions, wasting their time and money while dealing with endless setbacks and outages?
Contrary to what a lot of business owners might think, the answers don’t revolve around budgets, generation gaps, or even family connections. In our experience, it’s all about having the right mindset and paying attention to the details. To help you understand why this is, and how you can use the knowledge to your advantage, let’s look at seven tech habits of highly-successful companies…
#1 They Use Technology to Reach Business Goals
Some companies treat technology as a great unknown that exists outside of the business. They pay for it, but their investments are random, haphazard, and based on the latest cool trends or gadgets. Smart companies, on the other hand, never buy tech just for the sake of it. Instead, they consider their business goals and find the hardware or software that best matches their needs.
#2 They Are Aware Of Hidden IT Costs
The biggest costs associated with IT don’t involve training, managed services, or hardware upgrades. Instead, they are the “hidden” expenses that come with downtime and inefficiency. When your technology isn’t working, neither are your employees. The smartest companies keep that in mind and stay proactive about keeping their tech working smoothly.
#3 They Anticipate Future IT Investments
Major IT expenses shouldn’t come as a shock. When they do, it can disrupt not only your IT plans, but other parts of your business budget. That’s why the best companies work with consultants like us to plan ahead. They know which replacements or upgrades are likely to be needed months and years in advance so they aren’t ever caught by surprise.
#4 They Take IT Security Seriously
In this day and age, there is no excuse for neglecting data security. There’s just too much on the line, particularly when you consider sensitive customer information and your company’s credibility. Successful companies limit their liability (and sleep better at night) by investing a little bit of time and money into cybersecurity. It’s the kind of forethought that always pays off in the long run.
#5 They Plan for the Unexpected
There are hundreds of ways you could lose access to important data, ranging from power surges and employee errors, to earthquakes and hardware failures. Chances are, if you’re in business long enough, you will probably face an IT emergency at some point in the future. That’s why smart businesses make backup and disaster recovery planning a part of their IT strategy.
#6 They Value IT Expertise
You can get by without any outside technology help, at least for a while. Eventually, though, little oversights are likely to catch up with you. Small errors can turn into crashes, and unnoticed maintenance issues can easily become more serious and expensive problems. Smart companies value IT expertise because they know prevention is cheaper and more effective than emergency assistance.
#7 They Treat Technology Like a Competitive Advantage
If you only see technology as an expense or a liability, you’ll always be chasing competitors who are more forward-thinking. The most successful business owners and executives look for ways they can outpace their colleagues with new or better technology. Are you doing the same in your company?
Want to Make Your Business More Successful?
At Fantastic IT, we’ve established ourselves as one of California’s fastest-growing companies because of the way we approach technology. We don’t just fix hardware and software – we help our clients to find affordable and dependable solutions to their biggest needs.
If you want an IT provider who puts your business first, contact us today to learn more about our managed services plans!