When you’re a business owner running the show is very time-consuming and a real test of the “wearing many hats” scenario.
This is an even more poignant fact when it comes to anything technical, and business critical, like your IT function, especially if that’s not your bag (or your hat). And unless you’ve got some sort of background in IT, or you are particularly tech savvy, managing an IT team or making those tech decisions can feel like you’re trying to land the knock-out blow with a blindfold on.
You may have a reliable IT Manager on your team, and they may have some excellent knowledge and experience. But you wonder, do they have the strategic experience and business know-how to make technical decisions that might have a lasting impact (positive and negative) on your business.
We know what it’s like. When you work so hard to make a business work, the last thing you want is to make a bad decision on something so business critical as IT.
That’s where a Virtual IT Director service comes into play. But what exactly is it? Think of it as having an experienced IT professional in your corner, providing strategic guidance and expertise without the hefty salary that comes with a full-time executive position. Rather convenient, wouldn’t you say?
From IT headache to a strategic business advantage
For many small business owners, technology often feels like it’s working against you rather than for you. It can feel like you are fighting a series of fires. A Virtual IT Director, isn’t there to help you put those fires out, rather, they will have helped you build a strategy designed to stop the majority of them starting in the first place. Or, when something does flare up, they’ll tell your IT team or manager which hose to choose, where to point it, and for how long. Make sense? They are there for you, and your business, as an advisor, not a doer.
How can an IT Director be virtual?
We aren’t talking holograms here, but that wouldn’t that be cool if we were? A Virtual IT Director is a real person, with real strategic IT experience and knowledge. Now, you might be thinking, “Isn’t this just glorified tech support?” Not quite. While traditional IT support focuses on fixing what’s broken, a Virtual IT Director takes a much broader view.
They act as an in-house IT Director would, but… they:
- Don’t work for you full-time (meaning they don’t cost you a full-time salary).
- Don’t work in your office all the time, but they can be there when you need them to.
- Don’t carry out every day IT tasks for your business, that’s what your IT Manager or team (whether out-sourced or not) are there for.
A Virtual IT Director does:
- Understand your business ecosystem‚ your goals, challenges, budget constraints, and growth plans.
- Develops technology strategies that support these objectives. It’s like having a seasoned navigator plotting your course while you steer the ship.
- Take into consideration your cyber security planning and compliance management to budgeting for technology investments and training your team.
- Help you make informed decisions about which technologies to adopt and which to avoid, ensuring you don’t waste money on shiny gadgets that don’t serve your business needs.
For instance, when a small legal practice in Hampshire was considering an expensive software upgrade, their Virtual IT Director helped them realise they could achieve better results with a more cost-effective solution that integrated better with their existing systems. That saved them nearly £15,000‚ money better spent on growing their practice.
When does a Virtual IT Director make sense?
Not every business needs a Virtual IT Director. There, we said it. If you’re a sole trader with minimal technology requirements, you’ll be better off with traditional IT support or you can manage on your own. But if any of these scenarios sound familiar, you might benefit from more strategic guidance:
- Your business is growing, and your technology needs are becoming more complex.
- You’re struggling to make decisions about technology investments.
- Compliance requirements in your industry are becoming increasingly technology-dependent.
- You’re concerned about cyber security but unsure how to address it properly.
- You find yourself constantly putting out IT fires rather than focusing on your core business.
- Your IT Manager or Team don’t have the requisite experience or bandwidth to help you make those strategic decisions.
We’ve seen many small and medium-sized businesses reach a tipping point where their current IT support no longer meets their needs, but they’re not ready for the commitment of a full-time IT director. That’s the sweet spot where a Virtual IT Director service truly shines.
What to expect when you engage a Virtual IT Director
Working with a Virtual IT Director isn’t about handing over control of your technology decisions‚ it’s about gaining a trusted advisor who brings expertise to the table. Here’s what the relationship typically looks like:
- An initial assessment of your current technology infrastructure, identifying strengths, weaknesses, and potential risks.
- Development of a strategic technology roadmap aligned with your business goals.
- Regular meetings to discuss progress, challenges, and opportunities.
- Guidance on technology budgeting and investment decisions.
- Vendor management to ensure you’re getting the best value from your technology partners.
- Ongoing monitoring of industry trends and compliance requirements that might impact your business
One of our IT Support clients in Surrey, particularly values the quarterly technology reviews we conduct. These sessions help them stay ahead of industry changes and ensure their systems remain secure and compliant with ever-evolving industry requirements.
Getting your house in order: prerequisites for success
Before diving into a Virtual IT Director relationship, there are a few things you’ll want to have in place to ensure you get the most value. You’ll need a clear understanding of your business goals and challenges. The more specific you can be about what you want to achieve, the better your Virtual IT Director can align technology strategies to support these objectives.
Having even basic documentation of your current technology setup will put you in a better starting position. Don’t worry if it’s not comprehensive‚ part of our initial assessment involves filling in any gaps. And while a Virtual IT Director will help you optimise your technology spending, using and implementing their recommendations may require some investment. There’s no point getting excellent advice if you aren’t prepared, or able, to act on it.
And, sometimes, the best solutions aren’t the most obvious ones, and you may need to consider new approaches to achieve your goal and so you’ll need to have an open mind and trust in our expertise.
We recently worked with a wealth management firm that was reluctant to move to cloud-based services due to security concerns. After a thorough risk assessment and demonstration of the robust security measures available, they made the transition and now enjoy greater flexibility and reduced infrastructure costs.
Going Virtual with your IT and technology decisions
At the end of the day, technology only matters if it helps your business succeed. A good Virtual IT Director translates technical jargon into practical business benefits: increased efficiency, reduced risk, improved client service, and ultimately, stronger financial performance.
For example, when we implemented a secure client portal for a small legal firm, we didn’t just talk about encryption protocols and multi-factor authentication. We focused on how these technologies would help them strengthen client relationships by providing a more convenient, secure way to exchange sensitive legal documents.
IT’s a partnership, not just a service
Choosing a Virtual IT Director isn’t just about technical expertise‚ it’s about finding someone who understands your business and can communicate effectively with non-technical stakeholders. Look for a provider who:
- Has experience in your industry and understands its specific challenges and requirements.
- Communicates clearly without resorting to confusing technical jargon.
- Takes the time to understand your business goals before proposing technical solutions.
- Provides references from similar businesses that have benefited from their services.
- Can demonstrate a track record of helping businesses achieve tangible results through technology.
The relationship with your Virtual IT Director should feel like a partnership, with both parties working together toward common goals. If you find yourself nodding off during meetings or feeling like you’re being sold solutions you don’t understand, it might be time to look elsewhere.
Is a Virtual IT Director right for you, right now?
If you’re still reading, chances are you’re wondering whether a Virtual IT Director service might be a good fit for your business. The easiest way to find out is to have a conversation with a provider who offers these services.
At PurpleJelly, we typically start with a no-obligation chat about your business challenges and technology concerns. This gives us the opportunity to understand your needs and gives you a sense of how we work and whether our approach aligns with your expectations.
Remember, technology should be an enabler for your business, not a source of constant frustration. With the right strategic guidance, even small businesses can leverage technology to compete effectively in today’s digital marketplace.
