IT Strategy For Your Small Business – Why It Matters

In today’s digital age, having a well-defined IT strategy is almost always crucial for the success and growth of not only large corporations, but also micro, small, and medium-sized businesses (MSMEs) in Nigeria. An effective IT strategy not only enhances operational efficiency but also provides a competitive edge in the marketplace.

What is an IT Strategy & How Does It Work?

IT strategy is a comprehensive plan that outlines how technology should be utilized to achieve the business goals and objectives of an organization. It involves aligning IT initiatives with business objectives to maximize efficiency, productivity, and profitability. An effective IT strategy involves assessing the current state of IT infrastructure, setting clear objectives, and implementing a roadmap for future technology initiatives.

IT strategy can be detailed for enterprise operations or be as simple as a one-pager plan. For example, as a small thriving hair salon in Victoria Island, Lagos, you see an opportunity in increasing the efficiency of booking your clients, streamlining invoicing and payments and eliminate workplace theft and misconduct. You decide and draft our goals and a plan to adopt an online mobile booking system and CRM, subscribe to a cloud based CCTV system, POS, Sales & Accounting platform like Wave or Zoho Accounting. This is your IT Strategy; which can be refined and implemented by a savvy technology consultant.

Do You Really Need A Strategy?

Implementing an IT strategy can be a game-changer for micro, small, and medium-sized businesses (MSMEs). However, some understandable concerns may arise. You might say yours is a micro business and you have no need for anything that has to do with IT. An IT strategy could be as simple as a documented plan for the choice of file backup method, mobile security, invoicing and accounting tool or office productivity suite to implement. Let’s address some of these objections and show how adopting an IT strategy can benefit even the smallest corner bakery in Shomolu in the heart of Lagos.

Cost Concerns

“We’re concerned about the cost of implementing an IT strategy. We have a limited budget, and we’re not sure if it’s worth the investment.”
While it’s understandable to be concerned about costs, implementing an IT strategy can actually save your business money in the long run. By streamlining operations, reducing manual errors, and improving efficiency, an IT strategy can lead to significant cost savings over time. Trigus Solutions offers cost-effective IT strategy services tailored to the budget and needs of every size of business, ensuring that you get the most value for your investment.

Perceived Irrelevance

“We don’t see how an IT strategy applies to our business. We’re a small business, and we don’t think it’s necessary.”
No matter the size of your business, an effective IT strategy can provide numerous benefits. By leveraging technology to streamline operations, improve efficiency, and enhance customer experience, MSMEs can gain a competitive edge in the marketplace. Trigus Solutions through our IT as a Service offering specializes in providing IT strategy services tailored to the unique needs of MSMEs, ensuring that your business stays ahead of the curve.

Lack of Expertise

“We don’t have the technical expertise to develop and implement an IT strategy.”
You don’t need to be a technology expert to implement an IT strategy. Today, you can outsource almost any function to subject matter experts who have the in-depth know-how on how to deliver on that function. Trigus Solutions, for example, has a team of experienced professionals who work closely with your business to develop and implement an IT strategy that meets your specific needs and objectives. We provide full support throughout the process, ensuring that you have the expertise you need to succeed.

Complexity Concerns

“We’re concerned that implementing an IT strategy will be too complex for our business.”
Implementing an IT strategy doesn’t have to be complicated. A good technology consultant will always provide simple, straightforward solutions that are easy to understand and implement. We at Trigus Solutions will work closely with your business to develop a customized IT strategy that aligns with your goals and objectives, ensuring that the process is as smooth and straightforward as possible.

6-Step Process to Implementing Good IT Strategy

In implementing an IT strategy, we take our clients through the following 6 key steps in detail ensuring the essence of the business is captured from the organizational objectives to its processes and skill pool of its people:

Assessment: Assess the current state of IT infrastructure, identify strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT analysis), and determine business requirements and objectives.
Goal Setting: Define clear, measurable goals and objectives that align with the business strategy and outline the desired outcomes.
Technology Roadmap: Develop a technology roadmap that outlines the steps and initiatives required to achieve the defined goals and objectives.
Resource Allocation: Allocate the necessary resources, including budget, personnel, and time, to implement the IT strategy effectively.
Implementation: Execute the IT strategy according to the defined roadmap, ensuring that all stakeholders are involved and committed to the process.
Monitoring and Evaluation: Continuously monitor and evaluate the IT strategy’s performance, making adjustments as needed to ensure that it remains aligned with business goals.

The Benefits to Adopting an IT Strategy for Your Business

Implementing a robust IT strategy yields numerous benefits for your business.

Enhanced Operational Efficiency: A well-defined IT strategy streamlines business operations, automates repetitive tasks, and reduces manual errors, resulting in enhanced operational efficiency by as much as 50% in some cases.
Business Continuity: Implementing an IT strategy ensures that your business is prepared for unforeseen disruptions, such as cyberattacks or natural disasters, by implementing robust backup and disaster recovery solutions.
Improved Customer Experience: Implementing an IT strategy enables your business to better understand and serve customers. By leveraging technology, you can enhance your customer experience, leading to increased customer satisfaction and loyalty.
Cost Savings: An effective IT strategy helps your business optimize it’s IT spending by identifying cost-effective solutions and eliminating unnecessary expenses, resulting in significant cost savings.
Increased Competitiveness: Having a clear IT strategy allows you to stay ahead of the competition by adopting the latest technologies and innovations. This enables your business to respond quickly and efficiently to market changes and customer demands.

In Conclusion

Implementing a robust IT strategy is essential for the success and growth of businesses, whether you are a small business or massive conglomerate. With the right IT strategy in place, businesses can enhance operational efficiency, improve customer experience, and gain a competitive edge in the marketplace. Trigus Solutions is here to help develop and implement such IT strategies that drive growth and success.

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