5 Things to Consider When Hiring an IT guy or an IT Firm
In our previous blog pieces we talked about how and why IT is important to your organization.
Now let’s talk about where you can find the help you need.
For instance, should you hire someone internally or outsource your IT?
And if you hire someone internally, where can you find a great candidate to help you meet your security standards?
Or if you choose to outsource your IT, how and what should you consider before bringing them into the fray?
What to consider if you hire.
- Find a candidate that’s worked in your industry before. Experience in your specific field is very important. If the person who’s supposed to keep your data secure knows nothing about the importance protecting your technology assets, then how can they understand the importance of keeping your information secure?
- Find someone who understands the compliance and regulatory concerns of your industry. If you work in healthcare, or in a financial institution, there are specific IT compliance aspects to consider. So consider someone who best understands your industries IT and regulatory nuances.
- Find a candidate that can communicate with you and not just speak tech-talk. Technicians that talk tech-talk, and confuse you and your staff, aren’t helpful. Find a candidate that can effectively communicate with you.
- Search for someone who’s fluent with multiple IT systems. In your office there are many moving technology pieces from e-mail to VoIP, and multiples types of hardware and software. The person you hire should be able to work between multiple systems to ensure your IT network and data is safe, secure and running smoothly.
What to consider if you outsource your IT.
As we discussed in the previous blog pieces, outsourcing your IT is a great and cost effective option.
But how do you find the good ones? Here are some things to consider.
- Time and action is key. Work with an outsourced IT firm that has quick response. When in a pinch, you need to have an IT provider that responds quickly. This should be the expectation. Your goal should be to get a hold of an actual human being, or be able to enter a service ticket yourself online with a streamlined service ticket system. Find an outsourced IT firm that responds, not just reacts.
- Find a firm that’s experienced. Just like we touched on earlier, with experience being important when hiring an IT person, experience when hiring an outsourced firm is also paramount. You should seek an IT company that hires only seasoned, professional technicians with at many years’ experience.
- Find someone you don’t have to micromanage. Being proactive is one of the best ways you’ll find security-success. If your outsourced IT business isn’t proactive, maybe even a bit annoying because of how proactive they are, then don’t consider them. Find a company whose philosophy is proactive, not reactive, by using state-of- the-art network monitoring and management. Running your business should be your endgame, so let someone else proactively identify issues and address them before they become problems.
- Project management that actually manages projects. Your outsourced IT firm should not only be proactive, but also be able to manage all the little tasks of your projects. You need to look for someone with extensive experience in managing all types of complex projects, handling the detail and coordinate all vendors involved. Not to mention, one who manages budgets as well as tasks and overall projects.
- No geek-speak. You need to have your concerns and questions answered in plain English. When considering outsourcing your manage security, make sure their technicians will clearly explain what is happening so you understand.
Solve your IT issues once and for all.
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