Directive Blogs

When it comes to cybersecurity, the most important aspect is often pushed aside in favor of solutions that are easier to control, like firewalls, encryption, and modern detection and response tools. However, the biggest and perhaps most important factor affecting your business’ security is, in fact, its people. No matter who you are, it only takes one accidental click to send your network spiraling into chaos, and even the most well-intentioned employees can wreak havoc under the right circumstances.

Let me ask you something: how well does your current IT support function?

If your first instinct is to say something vaguely positive, like “good” or “fine,” you’re probably missing out on significant benefits that could come from a more immersive and fleshed-out service delivery, rather than a stopgap meant to preserve the status quo. If your provider has never asked you about the future and your goals for it, it may be time to seek what else is out there.

AI has revolutionized the way businesses operate, streamlining various tasks and changing how knowledge-based businesses function in record time. One of the ways that businesses are using AI is customer support, but how effective is it really? Is there any merit to maintaining the human element of your customer service, or said in a different way, what can human customer support offer that AI cannot?

All businesses need a little IT assistance from time to time, whether it’s for a simple hiccup some software or a full-blown technology emergency. Cybercriminals will often pose as IT support in attempts to capture this low-hanging fruit. Your employees should know how to spot the following warning signs from a fraudulent tech support squad.

Business owners like to talk about things like time theft and quiet quitting as reasons why they wring their hands over lost productivity, and unfortunately, it’s almost always their view that it is the erosion of a strong work ethic. What if the real problem isn't about employees checking out, but rather, something far more on the nose? Let’s talk about quiet cracking.

Quiet cracking is the slow, almost imperceptible breakdown of a knowledge worker's mental and emotional state under the relentless pressure of the demands of their workplace. It's not a sudden burnout, but a gradual fragmentation of their well-being, and it’s happening a lot. 

A successful business is a secure business. You probably have a good lock on the front door, maybe an alarm system, and secure cabinets for important documents. You do all of this to protect your business' physical assets from threats. So why wouldn't you do the same for your digital assets?

Just as you have physical security measures, your business also needs strong cybersecurity policies. They help create clear rules for employees to follow and a plan to fall back on if an incident occurs.

It feels good to use tools you’re familiar with, but there comes a time when old tools start to hold you back. You might start to see unexpected costs that only surface over time. Let’s take a look at how you can know when it’s time to update your business’ tech and some of the hidden costs associated with not updating it.

There’s a lot of comfort to be found in familiarity. It’s why so many of us cling to the way we’ve always done things. It’s the root of the old adage, “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” In many contexts, this can be very good advice. One place it isn’t: your business’ technology.

Neglecting to improve the technology your business relies on can itself incur significant inherent costs that aren’t immediately apparent. Let’s explore them to truly appreciate the benefits of keeping your business’ tech up to date.

As a business owner, you wear many hats. You're the CEO, the head of sales, the marketing guru, and often, the de facto IT department. It's understandable that with so much to do, dealing with a sluggish computer or a temperamental software program gets pushed to the bottom of the to-do list. A laissez-faire attitude towards your technology can have serious consequences, however. Today, we’ll go through why being lazy with your IT causes more harm than good.

Many—we’d go so far as to say most, at some times—businesses have a pretty concrete view of the role that their IT plays in operations: cost center, money pit, necessary evil.

Something we’ve realized, however, is that these impressions are simply warning signs that a business’ technology strategy and approach need some attention. Let’s identify three signs that might be all too familiar to you, and address what can be done to change course and help turn your IT into a contributing part of your overall productivity.

Do you ever wonder why some businesses seem to have endless technology problems? It’s not by accident. It's often a matter of not having the smart, simple habits in place to combat issues that present themselves. Let’s take a look at three ways that your business can avoid big technology headaches.

Deals are great, aren’t they? Offering some money and getting more than you’d expect in return… It’s the next best thing to free. It’s also really nice to get something fast.

Not so fast, though. As nice as they can make things seem, “cheap” and “quick” aren’t often synonymous with “effective” or “valuable.” In fact, selecting the presumably easy route regarding your business technology can ultimately lead to bigger problems in the form of something called tech debt.

There are a lot of regulations out there that businesses need to follow, both for their own good and that of their clients, customers, and associates. Many of these regulations—like the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX), and the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS)—are relatively well known and critical to follow.

That said, these regulations dictate many basic practices that, to be completely frank, should already be a priority for every business that cares about its security and efficiency.

Remember the days of watching a loading bar slowly crawl across the screen? Or maybe that distinct screech of a dial-up modem connecting? While technology has rocketed forward since then, some businesses still cling to an outdated approach when it comes to managing their IT: the break-fix method.

This means waiting for something to go wrong—a server crash, a software glitch, a security breach—before calling for help. It might seem cost-effective initially, but this reactive stance is becoming increasingly risky and wasteful.

Throughout the workday, you’re likely juggling a multitude of responsibilities, from strategic planning to ensuring smooth day-to-day operations. Let’s face facts here: technology underpins nearly every aspect of your business… but what happens when that technology falters? 

Reactive fixes can be costly, disruptive, and ultimately hinder your growth. This is where the power of proactive business technology support truly shines.

Running a small or medium-sized business means juggling countless priorities. You're focused on your customers, team, and bottom line… but what about the technology that powers it all? 

Often overlooked, your IT infrastructure is far more than just the computers on desks. It's the complex web of network equipment, essential software subscriptions, cloud services, and even the personal smartphones and tablets your employees use for work. Keeping this entire ecosystem running smoothly and securely is a significant challenge for many SMBs.

It is great to have pride and confidence in your business, especially in the team you’ve assembled… including your in-house technical support team. That said, even the most capable IT team may not fully meet a business’ needs.

Let’s explore why this is and what can be done to correct any deficits your team may encounter.  

Running a business today without technology is pretty much impossible. Whether it’s email or messaging for communication or point-of-sale software for stores, every business depends on tech. Where there’s tech, there has to be someone to manage it.

Imagine owning an elevator that you would only service if it broke down? Sounds ridiculous, right? Well, that’s exactly what businesses do when they rely on a break/fix IT strategy.

Break/fix IT means waiting until something goes wrong before calling in the experts. While this might seem like a cost-saving move, in reality, it’s a fast track to frustration, downtime, and lost revenue. Let’s break down why this approach makes no sense in today’s business world.

If I were to ask you what technology your business possessed and where it all was right now, could you give me an answer? If not, you’ve demonstrated the importance of keeping an accurate inventory of your business’ IT.

So, let’s go over some best practices to make managing your business’ IT inventory more effective.