At Fantastic IT, one of the things that makes us different from our colleagues and competitors is a commitment to consulting. We get to know the companies and decision-makers we work with so we can help them to set the right priorities and make good decisions about tech investments.
We don’t give advice on mergers or investments, of course, but we do help business owners and executives to get the most from their tech budgets. We look proactively for ways they can cut unnecessary bills (even the ones that come from us) knowing that it’s better for our company, and theirs, in the long run.
Because this is a service our clients appreciate so much, we’ve been finding ourselves wondering lately why most other IT firms don’t offer any form of financial consulting. Here are a few reasons we think giving IT budgeting advice isn’t more popular with our competitors…
They Lack the Expertise
A lot of IT providers know about certain pieces of technology, but aren’t necessarily fluent in the language of business. In other words, they may not have a good idea of what you’re trying to accomplish with your hardware, software, and devices.
That means they can’t give you much advice that’s focused on the bottom line, of course, but also suggests that you’ll eventually run into roadblocks when trying to get more from your IT budget. After all, if your consultants aren’t business savvy, then it’s going to be difficult for them to lead you towards solutions that help your bottom line. They won’t know what to look for, so they aren’t going to find it.
They Don’t Want to Put in the Time
In some cases, IT providers are well aware of what it takes to help a business be more profitable and efficient. They don’t suggest or deploy those solutions for their clients, though, because doing so would require a great deal of time and effort.
In our line of work, fixing servers, installing software, and servicing equipment can sometimes be the easy part of the job. What requires more of a mental investment is getting to know the people and organizations we work for. We get familiar with their goals, processes, and challenges so we can help them get better in every area. It isn’t the easiest thing we do, but it’s one of the most valuable.
They Don’t Want You Thinking About IT Costs
When it comes down to it, we think a lot of IT companies don’t want to talk about budgets because that might lead clients to take a closer look at their own invoices and service packages. They are afraid of what might be realized or discovered.
We have always been fans of open and consistent invoicing procedures because we think they add value. We don’t have anything to hide, so we use our pricing and value model as a selling point. If your IT vendor doesn’t want to discuss billing or outcomes on the other hand, that might be a sign you need to take a closer look at the services and expenses associated with the relationship.
Let’s Build a Smarter IT Strategy Together
If you want to get more from your tech while reducing costs, setting the right goals and strategy is a good first step. Why not speak to one of our sales consultants today so we can look through your plans and invoices to find room for improvement?
It’s absolutely free to consult with our team and it might change your business for the better. Contact us today to schedule a time to talk!