Why hire an IT consultant you say? Well, the fact is, your business is dependent on you staying one step ahead of the game when it comes to tech. And no, that doesn't mean having a working printer. You need a comprehensive set of robust, cost-effective, market-ready, security-conscious digital solutions that allow your business to thrive. Already feel in need of a coffee? Well, buckle up as we explore just ten of the reasons you need to hire an IT consultant!

1. Your team is still suspicious of email and thinks the internet's a passing fad...

OK, they may not be actual Luddites or even that behind the curve, but the fact is that the tech world is completely dizzying. New apps, new systems, new deployment mechanisms, new security challenges, new customer demands... when the field keeps advancing, it's almost impossible to keep up AND do your own job at the same time. Never fear though. A great IT consultant will live and breathe the wondrous world of tech and know what will make sense to recommend to your business so it can meet its objectives. Trust your IT consultant and let them do the heavy lifting when it comes to trawling through tech trends, nice-to-haves and necessities!

2. You need to hire an IT consultant to focus on your core business

You've hired high performers and great talent. You've got hard-working teams. Your functions are working hard towards a defined strategy. We get it. Who has time to take IT on board as part of their roles? If your staff are better placed focusing on their operational objectives, then enable them to do this and to service the needs of your customers. You can hire an IT consultant to take care of your IT infrastructure and monitoring, and free up everyone else's time to do what they do best.

3. Change is afoot - just hire an IT consultant already!

Winter is coming... or at least, your business processes need to change. Whether it's to nab an opportunity or to quickly backtrack from the wrong direction, your business processes can make or break your operation. Most businesses are working hard to completely re-engineer their processes after Covid and also as customer's start to demand different things. To get this right, an IT consultant can guide you through the tech requirements of your strategy, and make sure it all links in. Less wasted time. Zero wasted budget.

4. There's no backup or disaster recovery in place

No, having Dave on the front desk ring the boss if the systems go down isn't a disaster recovery plan. Equally disappearing for a brew and hoping for the best if your network crashes probably won't fly either. The future of your business relies on having solid data backup - ideally off-site - and an equally solid disaster recovery plan. Not only will it safeguard your business, but in many industries, this kind of robust approach can help you to win business - especially if you are dealing with third-party or sensitive data. So hire an IT consultant and task him or her with taking on the work! Boom - done. You can go back to planning that 'networking lunch' now.

5. You're worried about data security

Remember that time Mel in accounts thought she was opening a load of cute animal pics and got hacked? Well, data security is no joke - and it's on the rise. The cost of a data breach can run into the millions and nearly 70% of small businesses were hacked in the last 12 months. [1] Don't risk it - hire an IT consultant to help you up to your security game and keep the wolves away from the door.

6. You want to upskill your training

Yes, it's great that your staff can use the internet so competently, especially on those entertainment and celebrity websites during their lunch breaks, but there's so much more potential! When you hire an IT consultant it can open up your employees' world when it comes to operating online securely, learning new systems, working faster and more efficiently or even just broadening their skills. Who knows, maybe one of them will delight you and build your next customer app. Or, you know, simply update that Excel spreadsheet you've been chasing for the past week.

7. It's time to invest in new tech

Many firms are using outdated tech and the costs rack up. PCs that are four years old tend to have 21 hours of downtime annually and cost 50% more to repair than a newer model. (2) That's a lot of thumb-twiddling for your unconnected employees! Hire an IT consultant to assess the damage..., er we mean, investment, and take your business forwards into the fray!

8. You have an issue and need urgent help

CALL IN THE EXPERTS! Yes, standing intensely around a flashing PC screen makes everything feel urgent and slightly reminiscent of a sci-fi TV show, but you need experts when you've got a serious IT issue. Don't risk your time and money by dithering, especially if you have a fundamental issue or a data breach of some kind. The quicker you act, and with the right expertise, the less the downtime - and the less the cost to your reputation and bottom line. Get that IT consultant on speed dial!

9. Your customers want more

They may not want a bouquet of flowers or a handwritten note with every order (Ok, they do, but no) - but your customers absolutely want slick systems, great experiences, smooth communication and excellent service. And your execs want a productive workforce that is high-performing and delivers its A-game at every turn like Marvel superheroes! Good news. IT consultants can help you to achieve these goals by putting the right tech and systems in place to make everything flowwwww.

10. You love a good cost-saving

Hey, who doesn't! Get your IT infrastructure right and you'll absolutely save money - on things like slicker kit, licensing arrangements via the Cloud rather than old-fashioned desktop solutions, off-site servers and back-up solutions, 'rightsize' tech that scales to your business needs... the lot! Your IT consultant is there to make sure you save money, up to your game, delight your customers and generally help your business to run even better. No, they won't collect your laundry or remind you about your better half's birthday, but other than that, they should be indispensable!

FIND OUT MORE

Yoozoom is the UK's leading specialist provider of business cloud phone systems. We provide high-quality, reliable and secure telephony plus managed IT services for businesses and call centres alike. We're authorised resellers of Microsoft Dynamics and have our own on-site servers for total peace of mind. The main reason our clients love us? Not only do we deliver our services with absolute professionalism, but we also do it with a sense of fun and enjoyment. We believe IT is anything but boring, and we're bringing it to life for businesses around the UK, with services that change their game! Find out more by contacting us, or join our Knowledge Hub for content that genuinely adds value as you sip that morning cuppa!

Sources

[1] https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/60943/the-cost-of-cyber-crime-full-report.pdf

[2] https://www.arcistg.com/impact-outdated-technology/