The Importance Of Keeping Up With Your Tech Providers

Forget shiny new gizmos for a second. What really counts is understanding how tech digital strategy slots in with your business operations. Are you just ticking boxes, or actually using this technology to boost your business?

You want to choose solutions that genuinely pull their weight for you. Read on to learn how to make savvy tech strategies, the impact of tech management on your operations, and why understanding these elements is fundamentally fabulous for your growth.

Understanding Your Tech Providers

Have you ever wondered where your tech comes from? Consider TikTok's U.S. predicament – ordered to detach from its Chinese parent company. What will the implication for TikTok users in the U.S. be? What if your content has to toggle between versions for different regions? Will you have to set up the content twice inside and outside the U.S.?

Key Points to Ponder:

  • Global tech ties: The UK nudged Apple to tweak its encryption quietly. How many knew about that subtle shift?

  • Tech diplomacy: Manoeuvring tech origins and global regulations is incredibly smart and essential for staying ahead and informed.

  • SAAS vulnerability: What happens if regulations change or your cloud provider folds? Understanding the "whys" and "what-ifs" of your tech choices is imperative.

  • GDPR twists: Wondering how the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) affects your stored emails? It's more than tech. Actually, it's geared towards negotiating the legal intricacies.

  • Business-savvy tech guidance: It’s about having someone who not only speaks tech but also understands business. When your Managed Service Provider (MSP) throws complex tech verbiage your way, having a knowledgeable partner to translate this into strategic business decisions is invaluable.

Explore our business workflow solutions to see how you can further integrate and manage these tech strategies effectively.

Tackling Global Regulations Head-On

So, how do the big tech conflicts with governments impact your own operations? Like when the UK government nudged Apple encryption levels. Seems minor, right? But it could ripple through how securely your business data sleeps at night.

Then there's the GDPR – beyond compliance. It’s about a deeper scrutiny, not just the superficial checks.

Did you know you might need to redact unrelated details from thousands of emails under GDPR compliance? It’s not just digitally smart. It’s about steering these regulatory changes to keep your business agile and informed.

Then, of course, there are those rare but real scenarios. Like a jet falling on your data centre or a major power outage at Heathrow. These incidents emphasise the need for hardy business continuity plans that keep you running, no matter what.

Think about it.

One regulation change and you might have to scrub clean thousands of emails to protect privacy. As well as keeping up, it’s important to stay ahead, dealing with these waters with an eagle eye on the immediate impacts and the horizon.

Getting a handle on these changes is essential, not just to meet legal requirements but to turn them into opportunities for your business.

Financial Viability and Dependency on Tech Providers

Leaning pretty heavily on your tech suppliers? Let’s say your cloud CRM supplier faces a new 30% EU tariff. This slashes their EU customer base by half. Ouch! What then?

Here's a simpler take:

  • Why risk all on one provider? If they falter, your operation risks major disruption.

  • Financial health checks: Stay sharp on the stability of your tech providers. Always have a backup plan because adaptability is key in tech.

  • Diversify your tech options: Don't put all your digital eggs in one basket. Having varied tech solutions means one provider's collapse won't knock you out.

  • Cloud-based vs on-premise: If your cloud provider goes bust, can your business keep running? Weighing up these options helps you choose tech solutions that are resilient and reliable, ready for whatever the global market throws your way.

Picking the Right Tech Solutions – On-Premise vs Cloud

Having trouble deciding between on-premise and cloud solutions? This doesn’t merely involve choosing your tech. This concerns betting on your business's future.

Your cloud-based CRM is a lifeline. It organises everything from customer data to sales strategies. But what if this provider shuts down overnight?

Suddenly, your data might vanish into the ether, leaving you scrabbling.

On-premise software, while seeming like the bulkier investment, sits snugly on your servers. You own it. You control it. It doesn't evaporate if the vendor goes bust.

However, it lacks the flexibility and scalability that a cloud solution boasts, where updates and innovations are just a subscription away.

Making a wise choice depends on your risk appetite and business needs. Do you prefer the stability and control of on-premise or the dynamic, scalable nature of the cloud?

If you want to dig a little deeper into tackling the difficulties of leading in a tech-driven world, check out our leadership training programs. They’ll empower you with the skills you need as an SME owner.

Final Thoughts

For SME owners, being tech-literate is no longer a perk. It's a prerequisite. The rapid pace of technological change demands leaders who use technology and deeply understand its impact on their business.

It's about finding someone who doesn't just speak tech but also gets business, so when your Managed Service Provider starts throwing jargon your way, you've got a translator who can break it down into plain English.

Ready to improve your tech strategy with expert guidance? Let’s talk.

Bill Stock