Don Sesler, The Technology Whisperer: As the owner, I have the honor of leading a team of super-smart individuals who share my passion for helping entrepreneurs and business owners not fall victim to complex technology challenges that can kill productivity. We want to tame your technology so that it works for you and not the other way around. What technology problem is making your life more complicated than it should be? Reach out to me and tell me your story.

5 IT Myths That Are Costing Your Business Money

People have a lot of preconceived notions about information technology in general and IT support in particular – trust me, I’ve heard it all! These technological “old wives’ tales” exist for a reason, but if you simply accept them as fact, there’s a good chance that you’re making decisions that will hurt your business and cost you money.

With that in mind, I wanted to use this post to take a look at five of the IT myths I hear most often. My goal is to shed some light on both why these myths exist… and why taking them as absolute truths can leave you lagging behind your competition. 

IT People are Mean Nerds 

Ever seen the British TV show The I.T. Crowd? While the behavior of the main IT guys is played for laughs (and it is quite funny), a lot of the episodes basically have them acting as technology gatekeepers desperately protecting their domain and treating their less-knowledgeable coworkers as idiots who don’t know enough to call them out.

While the show is an intentional exaggeration, it’s based on reality. There absolutely are some IT support pros who will talk over you, use techno-babble, and act annoyed when you don’t understand “simple” IT concepts. It’s something that makes the entire profession look bad. 

However, IT has changed dramatically in the last few decades, and so have the professionals in it. Many people in IT are passionate about technology and excited to teach others. Our goal is to make technology less intimidating and help you understand it better. 

IT Support Always Sucks

Slow response time. Getting handed off from one person to another. A complete lack of transparency. Never speaking with an actual human.

If those things sound familiar, you’re not alone. For years, this is what a lot of IT support experiences were like for people, and some companies still operate this way. However, many organizations now offer specialized IT support services that cater to specific industries. 

For example, it’s now possible to get comprehensive, proactive support tailored to businesses in all sectors, ensuring that your issues are handled quickly and in compliance with industry regulations. This level of specialized support leads to more effective troubleshooting instead of one-size-fits-all solutions.

Only Big Companies Need Cybersecurity

I really wish this were true, but unfortunately no business is immune to cyberattacks. In fact, smaller businesses can actually be more attractive targets because they tend to have weaker security in place, making them easy prey for hackers.

When clients hire us, the first thing we do is take a look at the security measures you have in place and make recommendations if necessary. If you’re not relatively safe from attacks, nothing else matters. 

IT Is Just Another Expense

Hardware. Software. Network management. Information backup. Troubleshooting. 

Dealing with technology can be expensive. But it’s not just an expense, and if you are holding off on IT advancements to save money, you’re probably costing your business in the long run.

Why? Because IT is a powerful tool for driving growth, enhancing competitiveness, and enabling innovation. When businesses treat IT as an investment, they stay ahead of competitors. Here are a few examples of how our clients have recently upgraded their tech to help them grow their business:

  • Moving a client contact information database from a spreadsheet to a professional, small business CRM
  • Ditching an old-school phone system for a modern, app-based solution that lets employees answer the phone from anywhere
  • Transitioning from storing company passwords on sticky notes to a solution that allows the owner to share (and unshare) passwords electronically

Outdated Software Is Fine as Long as It Works

Relying on outdated software creates serious security and performance risks that can have significant consequences. Once a vulnerability is discovered in outdated software, attackers can easily exploit it to install malware, steal data, or take control of systems. 

Moreover, you’ll only receive support for older software for so long. Once you lose that support, it can be a major issue if something goes wrong. 

Don’t Let IT Myths Hold Your Business Back!

IT has come a long way in just a few decades. Understanding the true value of keeping your technology up-to-date and well-supported can help you make informed decisions that drive growth, efficiency, and innovation. 

Unsure if your IT needs are being met? Book a free consultation with me to talk things through.