(Here’s What It Means to Win Together)
A Recent Moment Made This Crystal Clear
Growing businesses often move fast—and, sometimes, teams like ours get looped in after the decisions are made. The other day, a client’s request for new email accounts, prompted by sudden new hires, reminded me: there’s a more powerful way to describe the role we aim to play for you.
This week I’m going to do my best to put that effort into words by using my favorite tool: analogies—and to give you (whether you’re a current client or not) a framework to evaluate whether your IT partner is sitting at the leadership table, or just waiting in the hallway.
The Bridge and the Engine Room: Navigating Together
Imagine your business as a ship.
You’re at the bridge, charting the course and steering toward new horizons.
We’re right beside you on the bridge, tuned into your strategy, and helping direct the engine room—making sure your computers, systems, and resources are ready for whatever’s ahead.
But here’s the difference:
If we only get instructions after the destination is set, we’re just relaying orders below deck.
When you share your vision and plans, we can anticipate needs, adapt resources, and eliminate unnecessary friction—making your journey a whole lot smoother.
📌 Important Note: When the entire crew is looped in early, unexpected storms are far more manageable—and progress is that much faster.
The Data: Why Bringing Partners to the Table Early Matters
Studies show that involving technology partners early in strategic planning can reduce business friction and costly setbacks by 30–50%.
(Sources: McKinsey, CompTIA, Project Management Institute)
💡 Key Insight: The earlier you align your team—including IT—the fewer headaches you’ll encounter and the more momentum you’ll build.
What You Should Expect—Proactive Support, Not Reactive Fixes
Whether we’re already working together or you’re reading this to evaluate your own provider, here’s what you deserve from your IT partner:
With our 140-point Pulse & Roadmap Chat assessment, our clients don’t just get tech support—they gain a virtual Chief Information Officer at their side.
If you’re already a client: Don’t miss out on this level of partnership! You’ve moved beyond “break/fix”—you now have a technology officer invested in your big picture. Bring us (or your IT partner) into planning early and often, so you can anticipate, adapt, and keep moving forward.
If you’re considering where your own IT provider fits: Ask yourself—are they at the table with you, helping chart the course and troubleshoot before there’s trouble? Or are they still showing up reactively, after you hit the iceberg?
📌 Important Note: The more your IT partner is aligned with your ambitions, the smoother and faster the journey. As you grow, at some point, it may make sense to bring IT fully in-house. The right partner—now—will ensure you’re more than ready for that milestone.
Until then, expect any provider to act as an extension of your leadership team: invested, engaged, and always planning two steps ahead.
When Should You Bring IT In?
🎯 Actionable Tip: Involve your IT partner from the very start—especially for big moments like moving office space or launching major projects. Give them a heads-up if you anticipate big shifts (“We’ll need to handle more CAD work this quarter”), and invite them to meetings where decisions are made.
A proactive IT partner watches the instruments, coordinates the crew, and helps you focus on the horizon—while someone who’s only reactive leaves you steering alone.
The Takeaway: Hold IT to a Higher Standard
Not every IT partner is built for the leadership table, but you deserve one who is.
As Tony Robbins wisely said:
“The quality of your life is a direct reflection of the quality of the questions you are asking yourself.”
So ask high quality questions:
- Are your IT partners helping you plot the course and adapt as you grow?
- Are their answers practical and insightful—do they match their weight in gold?
No matter where you are in your growth, you deserve an IT relationship built on clarity, care, and confidence. Raise the bar. Expect partnership. Ensure your resources are working together—not just reacting.
👉 Next Step:
If you’re ready for less growing pains and more informed decisions, start asking for this kind of partnership—from your IT provider, your leadership team, and yourself.
