Think about the last time you packed for a trip. You didn’t include shoes that pinch or your Guns N’ Roses Appetite for Destruction t-shirt for business. You left out the wool coat for Nassau in the middle of August. Let’s just say that you could project what to include because you had basic information that would make your trip more efficient, relevant, and gratifying. You probably had valuable insight from someone who has been where you’re going. You had trust.
It’s the same with a relationship with your IT Solutions or managed services provider. The good ones will help you align your business with the right mix of IT solutions and help you pack appropriately for your business journey.
At the end of the day it’s all about alignment and trust. What goes into that suitcase will be different from what others are packing but it works because you have the insight of a trusted partner.
And you’re headed to something brand spanking new.
Choose a ride-or-die managed services provider
In order to gain customer trust, you have to be aligned on long-term strategies. And the best way to get there is creating—and sustaining—growth. The same goes for your business. You should have your own set of objectives and growth strategies. A solid plan for growth for your business should always include shared values, common goals, and vision.
Finding the right managed services provider takes work. Your IT solutions provider should be able to help define your vision and be honest with you about the practicality of your ideas. Sustainable growth is always easier when you share common values and objectives defined at the onset. And that’s just the start. Don’t stop until you’re comfortable with your IT solutions provider. You may, however, have to get used to being a little uncomfortable once in a while, but that’s normal. Sometimes you have to break a few things and start from a different vantage point. That’s where the real trust comes in. Lean into a ride-or-die relationship with your IT solutions provider to experience authentic relationships and real ROI.
How do you know you have the right ride-or-die partner?
You might be surprised to hear that lining up a bunch of technology is not our priority when engaging with a new client. Don’t get us wrong, we’re tech devotees and live and breathe new IT initiatives. But we can’t help define your growth strategy until we know that we are aligned philosophically with your business. When we’re all shaking our heads yes on basic alignment, we dig into tech and financials. You’ll then have the infrastructure you need at a value that works for you.
- Philosophical alignment. We believe that there’s always a better way. Whether that means pivoting with existing systems or building from the ground up, we want to help. We’ll look at your business from a helicopter perspective to make appropriate recommendations that position you for long-term success.
- Technical alignment. Once we get to know each other philosophically, we’ll dive into the technology aspect to determine solutions that will enhance your deliverables while supporting operational needs. We don’t do tech for tech’s sake. It has to have a purpose. It has to support the enterprise. And it has to have value. A Calyx engineer will visit with you when you’re ready and glean the fundamental information necessary to develop an IT strategy for today and years from now.
- Financial Alignment. When the rubber starts to hit the road, you’ll need to know your financial investment currently as well as what to expect in the future. We conduct a total cost of IT analysis and provide a comprehensive view of your IT expenses. This enables you to accurately compare cost differentials and know how to plan financially.
This is also a great opportunity for us to illustrate the expenses we’ll eliminate, and puts an exact price on the added value and benefits we provide. To get started, we’ll send our Excel Workbook to help assemble all of your operating and capital expenses related to IT.
Early C-Level Engagement can make or break IT strategy
At the end of the day, you’re going to need C-Level buy-in on technology investments so why not include them at the beginning and let them feel part of the decision-making. Execs are less likely to eliminate or reduce funding if they feel part of the initial discussions. This will be a huge help when it comes time to pivot on the IT plan and invest in new solutions.
At Calyx, we understand the complexities of engaging the appropriate people at the appropriate times when reviewing a company’s IT infrastructure. We’re deeply rooted in every client situation and can make valuable recommendations when solutions grow weary and efficiency lags.
From the helicopter view of our leadership team to the techs working on your solutions, we are committed to engaging, aligning, and earning trust. And you can always rely on us to tell you what to pack as you move further along on your business journey.