Growth is exciting, but it also comes with challenges, especially when it comes to managing your company’s IT. As your team expands, your systems become more complex. What used to “just work” starts to crack under pressure. And if you’re not careful, small missteps can turn into costly problems.
At PCI, we’ve helped hundreds of businesses scale their technology for over 43 years. Here are five of the most common IT mistakes growing companies make…and how to avoid them.
1. Outgrowing the “One IT Person” Model
The Mistake:
Having a single tech-savvy team member run all things IT might work in the early days. But as your business grows, so do your needs. Relying on one person or even a small team can lead to burnout, outdated systems, and gaps in documentation.
One of the biggest risks is the creation of an information silo. In many cases, configuration details and support practices live solely in the IT person’s head. If they leave the company, the transition can become a messy and time-consuming process.
The Fix:
As your infrastructure grows, your IT strategy should evolve too. A few ways to address this:
- Partner with a Managed IT Services Provider: An MSP gives you access to a full team of IT experts and IT services, often at a lower cost than a full-time hire. They’ll proactively manage your infrastructure and ensure documentation is in place.
- Build an Internal Team: As your needs grow, hiring dedicated IT staff allows for consistent in-house support. However, it requires significant investment in recruiting, onboarding, and training.
- Use a Co-Managed IT Approach: Combining an internal team with external support can be highly effective. Your in-house staff can handle day-to-day onsite needs, while the MSP manages systems remotely and keeps your infrastructure secure and documented.
2. Delaying Security Investments
The Mistake:
Smaller businesses often assume they’re too small to be targets. In truth, attackers often view them as easy wins due to weaker security practices. The most common vulnerability? The end user.
Phishing attacks are increasingly sophisticated. If your endpoints aren’t protected and your employees aren’t trained to spot threats, your business is at risk.
The Fix:
Invest in proactive security measures like multi-factor authentication, endpoint protection, employee training, and regular security scans. Microsoft 365, for example, has built-in features that can be configured to help block phishing and secure your data. Regular simulations and training help keep employees alert to evolving threats.
3. Forgetting About Backups and Recovery
The Mistake:
Many businesses assume backups are in place—until they find out they’re not. Whether due to human error, ransomware, hardware failure, or natural disaster, losing critical data can be devastating.
The Fix:
Implement automated backups that cover not just files, but entire systems and applications. A well-defined recovery plan ensures your business can quickly resume operations if disaster strikes.
4. Treating IT as a Reactive Function
The Mistake:
Waiting until something breaks to think about IT can lead to downtime, frustration, and inefficiency. Constant firefighting takes time away from strategic work.
The Fix:
IT should be a proactive tool, not just a break/fix function. Work with your internal team or MSP to regularly review your systems and align IT priorities with business goals. Quarterly reviews help prevent issues and ensure your tech evolves alongside your business.
5. Overlooking Standardization
The Mistake:
When every department uses different tools and workflows, it creates inefficiencies, increases tech issues, and makes support more difficult.
The Fix:
Standardizing your tools, devices, and support processes reduces complexity and leads to faster troubleshooting. Consistency also ensures better collaboration across teams.
Growing Doesn’t Have to Mean Guessing
You don’t have to be an IT expert to run a growing business, but you do need a plan. Whether you’re scaling your team, adding locations, or just trying to keep up, your IT foundation matters.
Need help getting ahead of IT issues?
Let’s talk. PCI helps businesses grow with smarter, more strategic IT support that evolves as you do.