No person on the planet is more of an enigma to the small business person than the I.T. professional (computer geek). They get excited about “techie” things and what technology can do. They speak a foreign language (unintentionally)…after all, doesn’t everybody speak geek after 20+ years. Be honest, most of you would rather have a root canal than deal with the I.T. professional.
Take heart, there are many good I.T. professionals, but how would you recognize one? Here are 5 qualities you should look for in any I.T. service provider.
1) Passion. Passion for technology is important, but more important is a passion for the success of your business. This provider will focus on your business strategy and trends in your industry and stay abreast of ways technology can best support your business. Their mantra: business strategy drives technology usage. If technology is their toy and your business is their testing ground, then run.
2) Speak English. For some service providers, simple English appears to be a third language. Rather than talking “tech”, this provider has the ability to express complex concepts in terms that are relevant to your business. Sounds simple, but many professionals have a difficult time bridging the gap between your business and the technology they deal with.
3) Attentive Listening. The Great I.T. person will do more than just hear you, they will listen to you. You may not be able to express your business needs in terms of the technology. They will be able to translate your business needs into technical solutions or guide you toward appropriate solutions for the growing needs of your business.
4) Responsive. Does the service provider have the capability to respond to your needs? If your business can’t afford to be down for an extended period of time due to computer, server or network failures, you will need to shop around to find the professional that can meet your needs.
5) Results. It is very easy for an I.T. person to dazzle someone with “techno-speak”. You, however, are concerned with their results. Ask for 3 references and take the time to interview them. How do their clients feel about their performance?
You probably have other thoughts on the qualities that make a Great I.T. Professional. These are simply my top 5 based on input from clients. Feel free to include your own thoughts in the comments and I’ll update the list as it grows.
Wishing you safe passage through the I.T. Minefield!
Leslie Knight is a small business advisor with over 20 years of experience in Information Technology management in Fortune 500 companies. She applies her experience in Corporate America saving them millions to smaller entrepreneurial enterprises. She is also the author of Navigating the I.T. Minefield.
For more information on Picking an I.T. Service Provider, purchase your copy of Navigating the I.T. Minefield @ http://bit.ly/SNL4W.
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