4 Ways To Make Your IT Department Successful in 2018
· January 4, 2018 8:15 amAt the onset of a new year, individuals everywhere are making resolutions to better their lives. Whether they focus on health, relationship, or career, resolutions are always about improvement. If these efforts are good enough for individuals, why not apply them to business practices?
In the corporate world, a new year brings new opportunities for business growth and product or service enhancement. To achieve more and do better in business, companies should first focus on building success within their departments — more specifically, their IT departments.
So much of today’s business lies in technology. Without a solid tech workforce behind your business to brainstorm cutting-edge products, how to improve existing services, and ways to keep you protected in a volatile climate of security, your company may not advance enough to be competitive. In many ways, your IT department is the backbone of your business.
“Invest in your IT team and they’ll invest in you,” says Randy Redberg, CEO and owner of Experts Exchange.
The good news is there are many ways to invest in your IT employees to promote company growth. For starters, evaluate what your business goals are and determine what opportunities can help IT thrive so your business, in turn, can succeed. Goals may range from departmental to company-wide initiatives and be focused on the department as a whole, or on individual growth. Here are some of the best ways to boost your IT department in 2018:
Goal #1: Time to Embrace the Cloud (or Other New Technology)
You’ve waited to see how the world of cloud computing and cloud storage unfolds in order to learn from the mistakes and accomplishments of your competitors. Now it’s time to join the ranks of companies who rely on and utilize cloud services for extra storage and protection, and your employees need to be ready to handle any challenges that may arise during the process.
Solution #1: Move Business Forward with the Right Solutions
Unless your employees have migrated company databases and servers to the cloud before, chances are they’ll experience hiccups or questions along the way. Equip your employees with direct access to global tech experts with an Experts Exchange Business Account. Your employees can solve issues in real time with personalized help from tech professionals who’ve been down this road before. These individuals can help your department navigate the migration process and will continue to mentor and answer questions as you work to maintain the cloud infrastructure. Eliminate the possibility of conducting long, drawn-out searches for answers. Instead, give them tools to uncover solutions and learn from seasoned professionals along the way.
Goal #2: Help for a Small IT Department
Not all companies have enough day-to-day work to keep all necessary IT specialists in-house on a permanent basis. This may mean minimal resources for your IT employees when they need to solve urgent issues. To fill this gap, you can provide your IT worker (or small department) with a direct line to global professionals who can help them solve technical dilemmas as soon as they occur.
Solution #2: Eliminate Skill Gaps
Imagine what 24/7 help would mean for your company and for productivity in the new year. In 2018, it no longer has to be a pipe dream. Here at Experts Exchange, we’ve gathered the world’s top tech experts into one place and they’re ready to help in topics ranging from web development and server management to specialized software and product knowledge, such as Oracle, AWS, and Microsoft–and so much more. With a Business Account, your IT department, no matter its size, can immediately access the technology solutions it needs.
Goal #3: Rely on Internal Staff for Security Measures
We live in a cyber world where risk looms at every corner–especially when it comes to proprietary and sensitive data. When you designate members of your own staff to be the experts on keeping endpoints secure and vulnerabilities under lockdown, chances are you’ll sleep better at night knowing those who truly care about your company’s security are at the helm of InfoSec concerns.
Solution #3: Cultivate Expertise That Really Matters
Enroll your employees in courses and continuing education opportunities necessary for fully understanding and managing current security issues and risks. When you give them access to Experts Exchange services, each employee can get tailored course packages designed to help them succeed in their roles as they develop their expertise. Some course opportunities prepare individuals for certification exams, while others provide in-depth instruction on specific technologies. Your department can also explore micro video tutorials, webinars, and articles filtered by topics and issues that matter most to them and their work.
Goal #4: Develop Each Individual’s Full Potential
Nothing warms the heart of an IT manager more than seeing their employees excel, learn, and grow as individuals. This year, reward them for their efforts by helping them uncover ways to enhance their skills and boost their resume so they will not only keep doing good work for your company, but be able to reach their own professional milestones and goals.
Solution #4: Promote Participation in the Tech World
When your IT employees give back to the global tech community through online interactions, it shows they’re still learning, seeking, and honing their skills. Not only is this good for individual morale, but it shows that your company employs competent, insightful tech professionals. Encourage your employees to be active on sites like Experts Exchange, where there are so many ways to volunteer and help others. Depending on interest, your employees can write an article or create a course on a niche tech topic, answer questions new members may have, and share interesting and newsworthy information through a post. When you applaud your employees for their hard work by allowing them to continuously build on what they know, you’ll have a happier and more productive department in 2018.
For more information on how to build success within your IT department this year, click here.
