Recession Proof IT

When economic times are tough, as they are right now, one of the first areas that normally suffers is IT. Small companies simply find it difficult to justify spending on new technologies. However, good leaders that build through a recession will emerge in a better competitive position than those that simply attempt to hoard cash and survive. The key for IT leaders is to take the right approach with common technology and cash flow problems by viewing the issues through the eyes of those upper-level executives. I would like to propose 3 ways in which small companies can save money during tough times.

Outsource selected services.
Outsourcing services such as Web-server and email management is a way to free up staff time for more important initiatives. Think of outsourcing not as a way to reduce head count but as a way to do more with the staff you have.

Buy next-in-class hardware.
Don’t buy top-of-the-line hardware unless you have to. The last few points of performance are the most expensive. It is usually more cost-effective to buy one or two tiers below the top of the line; that way, the business gets a performance improvement without breaking the bank.

Seek new training options.
Training your IT staff is critical: It relieves stress caused by not knowing what to do, and it improves retention by offering career-development pathways. You should not cut training, but only the cost of providing it. Instead of expensive travel to off-site training sessions, look for on-site and computer-based training opportunities.