You’ve decided it’s time to outsource your IT. As a business located in the greater Chicago area, you begin identifying IT outsourcing groups in your neighborhood. You’ve done your homework; but have you considered the role you want IT to play in the future of your organization? As you develop your business strategy, you need to determine what role IT will play in achieving your goals.
DEVELOP YOUR BUSINESS STRATEGY
Think of your business strategy like your GPS. You enter your starting location, you plug in your destination, and you view the suggested routes. Some routes seem more straightforward, but there are tolls to pay. Other paths take you on a scenic highway but require more fuel. Planning your business strategy begins with an assessment of your current “location,” an honest evaluation of your organization’s strengths and weaknesses.
Once you identify where you are located, you can define your destination. Your vision statement explains your overall goal, what you want your business to ultimately become. Your business strategy should also include your mission statement, the reason for your journey, the ‘why’ of doing what you do, and the objectives you set to achieve your goal.
After choosing your route, you need to define your objectives more closely. That is, you plan what you will need for this leg of your journey, for the next three to five years. For example, do you plan to launch a new product? If so, do you have the resources in house to achieve your goal? The answer to this question will assist you in creating your budget and defining your staffing needs.
DETERMINE THE ROLE “IT” WILL PLAY
Risking taking a metaphor too far, think of your IT operations as the vehicle for your journey. You would be unwise to start your journey without checking the brakes, kicking the tires, or filling the tank (or charging the battery). Similarly, IT needs to have a voice in the business strategy process. Assessing strengths and weaknesses includes an honest evaluation of your IT infrastructure.
The correct IT infrastructure supports your growth. What applications and hardware upgrades do you need to achieve your goals? Have you considered migrating your data to the cloud? When considering the services of an IT outsourcing group in Chicago, include their consultants in your business strategy planning sessions, sooner rather than later.
An IT outsourcing group who provides business consulting brings professionals to the table who can evaluate the current state of your IT infrastructure as well as the changes required to support your projected growth. And, they have the expertise to find the most efficient, effective, and secure solutions that can align with your budgetary constraints.
Charting your journey is great, but nothing happens until you follow the directions. You may have a good strategy and know the IT you need to support it, but how good are you at implementation? As you plan your journey for the next three to five years, ask the IT consultants at your preferred IT outsourcing organization in the Chicago area to not only help you plan your trip but to come along for the ride.
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