Is your IT strategy preventing business growth?

Are you aiming to grow your business within the next 12 months? If so, you’ll likely employ a combination of strategies to ensure success. As your business evolves, your marketing techniques, operational processes, and team structure will also change. However, one area that many businesses overlook when planning for growth is IT.

It’s a common pitfall. Many businesses plan for growth but encounter a stumbling block along the way that keeps them stagnant. They might blame the marketing strategy or the sales team when the real culprit lies in IT.

In this article, we’ll explore the signs that indicate your current IT strategy may be hindering business growth. We’ll also demonstrate how an effective IT strategy can support you during a transformative period.

Why IT isn’t ‘business as usual’ during growth

As a company expands, many business owners assume their IT processes will remain unchanged. However, your IT systems impact every aspect of your business. Therefore, your IT strategy must adapt as well.

If you’ve attempted growth in the past but encountered a setback, you might be seeking answers elsewhere. Instead of focusing on the sales department or marketing team, consider the role of IT.

An ineffective IT strategy can hinder business growth in several ways. Some of these may sound familiar:

• You’re so preoccupied with managing daily IT issues that you can’t concentrate on your growth strategy.
• Your current IT systems are already at their limit and are unlikely to handle an increase in customers or sales.
• Staff are struggling with IT problems, reducing their productivity. If they’re already overwhelmed with their workload, cost-effective growth becomes impossible.
• You rely on outdated IT systems, missing out on the opportunities that technological advancements offer growing companies.

Take a step back to evaluate your IT strategy.

If you’re planning to grow your business, take a moment to assess your IT systems and ensure they’re prepared to support your transition.

Here are eight signs that your current IT strategy might hinder business growth:

1. Dependence on specific individuals: Are there individuals in your business who hold sole responsibility for certain processes? What happens if they’re on holiday or absent? Do your operations continue smoothly, or do other team members struggle to fill in at short notice? With an effective IT infrastructure and relevant training, it should be easy for others to take over when a colleague is unavailable.

When individuals take ownership of specific processes, they become familiar with the software that supports those processes. This familiarity ensures smooth operation when everything runs as expected. However, when unexpected circumstances arise, it can be challenging for others to step in.

When staff lack access to systems or don’t understand how a piece of software works, it can lead to hours of frustration and additional work. Therefore, it’s crucial to ensure that key pieces of software are understood and accessible, even when a core team member is unavailable.

2. Duplication of effort: As a managed IT support provider in London, we frequently encounter questions about how IT can enhance productivity. It’s a valid question. Many businesses hire additional staff to address increased workloads, yet they fail to witness growth. Why? Because, despite investing in extra staff, their teams are not working efficiently. Often, this is due to a duplication of effort that could be resolved through more effective IT processes and automation.

It’s natural for IT systems to evolve, but after a few years, businesses may find themselves with multiple systems performing similar functions. For instance, the sales and accounts teams might be inputting the same data, or the marketing and customer relations teams might be maintaining separate databases. This duplication of effort not only wastes time but also leads to confusion, such as when a customer’s contact details are updated on one system but not the other.

Another area where effort is often wasted is internal reporting. For example, the finance team might be generating reports to assess turnover, while the sales department is tracking similar data. By bringing all this information into a single system, you can save time for individuals and enhance clarity where there’s currently confusion.

Another common issue is a lack of clarity about responsibilities.

Do your teams have clear goals and know exactly what needs to be done, by when, and by whom? Often, key tasks fall through the cracks because nobody takes ownership of the action. Repeated missed deadlines and forgotten tasks can seriously damage your business.

A good collaboration tool, such as Microsoft Teams, can help bring clarity and transparency to your business. When used effectively, Microsoft Teams makes it easy for staff to see what actions need to be completed, along with clear deadlines and responsibilities.

Don’t wait until your software or systems fail before taking action. It’s far better to plan a managed software upgrade and ensure it’s successful. The alternative is constantly responding to emergencies with short-term fixes that only provide temporary relief, until the next month rolls around.

Often, you’ll find that the investment in upgrading your systems pays for itself quickly as your teams become more productive. Additionally, by working with a reliable managed IT support company in London or elsewhere in the UK, you can minimize downtime as you seamlessly transition from one system to another.

Another crucial factor to consider is the understanding of your IT team. Do they have a strong relationship with other business teams? If you have an external IT support partner, how well do you feel they comprehend your business operations? Your IT support should not be an afterthought or a team to call upon only when things go wrong. Instead, they should be an integral part of your business strategy. As technology advances, there will be opportunities to leverage innovations that can help your business stay ahead in your industry. This means involving your IT team in your growth strategy discussions so they can offer valuable insights and ideas to support your business’s growth.

Another important aspect to consider is whether your business processes are being adapted to fit the capabilities of your IT systems. Have you ever had a great idea that could deliver significant business benefits, only to find that your IT systems couldn’t support a new approach? Are you having to compromise your processes to accommodate your IT systems? Your IT strategy should support your business goals, not the other way around.

If your current systems are not aligned with your business objectives, they could be hindering your ability to achieve your full potential.

Lastly, it’s worth noting if your staff seems frustrated or unhappy with the current state of your IT systems. A well-functioning IT infrastructure can significantly improve employee morale and productivity.

You might not immediately connect IT systems and staff retention, but battling daily IT issues can quickly lead to stress, causing staff to seek new opportunities. If your future growth depends on retaining your top talent, ensure your IT systems make their work lives easier, not harder.

When new staff join your business, observe how they interact with your IT systems. If they express surprise about outdated systems or suggest improvements, don’t dismiss their feedback. Often, outsiders have a fresh perspective, free from the ‘this is the way we’ve always done it’ mindset.

Another indicator of potential issues is an increase in IT problems and costs. Do you seem to have more problems now than a few months ago? If so, it could be a sign that your IT infrastructure is failing. Over time, systems can slow down due to outdated hardware and software. If you’re planning growth, consider an upgrade program to ensure your infrastructure supports your ambitions.

Of course, increased issues and costs have likely followed. The time and expense of dealing with these problems can hinder your business’s progress.

If the above points suggest that your current IT strategy may be hindering growth, here are some steps you can take to address the issues and prepare for business growth:

1. Find the right managed IT support company in London and beyond.

If you’re not satisfied with your current IT support provider, it’ll be challenging to progress with confidence. Finding the right IT support company is the initial step toward achieving a successful IT strategy. If you’re based in the capital, it makes sense to seek a reliable managed IT support provider in London. While many issues can be resolved remotely, it’s always beneficial to have the option to meet face-to-face whenever necessary.

Review your IT strategy. If it’s outdated or nonexistent, now is the time to revamp it. Your IT support provider can assist in creating a strategy that supports and safeguards your business in the present and the future.

Track the entire journey of your business’s processes, from marketing to aftercare. At every stage, IT should facilitate the process. If you encounter any obstacles or feel that the current processes hinder progress, it indicates potential areas for improvement.

Stay updated with the latest advancements and best practices in the IT industry. Software and processes that were recommended a few years ago may no longer be the most suitable options for your business. A reputable IT support partner will keep you informed about these changes and opportunities.

What next?

1. If you’re thinking about switching from your current IT support provider get in touch here, or give us a call on 020 4566 9343.
2. Discover more about our London-based IT support services
3. Want to learn more about what the right IT support looks like? Check out this article on how to choose the best IT Support provider for your business.