With Valentine’s Day quickly approaching, you’re probably doing a little assessment of your relationships. Are you with that perfect someone? Could your relationship use a little TLC? Are you starting to feel like the romance is gone? When you’ve been with your provider for a while, it can be easy to lose that loving feeling. After all, there are expectations and mistakes and shortcomings. Every relationship has its ups and downs, but have you taken a look at your relationship with your IT provider? Sure, things were great in the beginning. They were attentive, they offered great service and support – and you really liked the price, but there are a few things that are causing you to question the relationship.
Here are a few ways to tell that your relationship with your technology provider might be over:
They don’t listen to you. And when they do listen they don’t hear you.
No one likes to feel like the things that are important to them don’t matter. Make sure that your provider is taking your feedback (or asking for it in the form of surveys) and making the changes that need to happen to better the relationship. In order to be successful in any partnership, you have to continually improve. Once you stop doing that – you should probably re-evaluate some things.
You’re thinking of leaving.
When an IT partner neglects you, it’s normal to go seeking help elsewhere. If you’ve hired some IT companies for projects or bid out a few jobs, take heart. While infidelities in a marriage are never okay, a business partnership must always be mutually beneficial. If you feel like you’re not getting what you were promised, it’s time to look at taking the plunge with a new company.
They don’t support you.
You need support. And not just a guy that answers the phone and takes 3 hours to solve your most basic user issues. You need the kind of support that comes with a 15 minute response time or an organized ticketing system and technicians that aren’t just Googling the right answer. You need a complete team of support technicians that can cater to your every need. If your provider isn’t offering that, or if you’re not happy with the quality of the support you’re receiving, it’s time for them to pack their bags.
You’re arguing over money.
In a good IT partnership, you should feel that the value of the services, strategy and support you’re getting is worth what you’re paying for it. If you’re starting to rack up some big bills with reactive support or disorganized projects and aren’t too excited about it, then this could be the beginning of the end.
They’re not helping you grow.
One of the most important aspects of IT is that it helps you plan for growth and scales your business. You should have a good idea of what your 5 year goals are and your IT provider should have a good idea of how to scale your technology so that you’re well-equipped when that growth happens. If they’re not offering you strategic insight – you can’t improve your business with them and it’s time to cut the cord.
Relationships are tough. You think that your IT provider is one thing and they turn out to be something completely different. Or you’re off to a great start and things just change. You’re not the same company you once were and you need a growth strategy, rock-solid support and a company that you can count on. Make sure that you’re in the right relationship with the provider that’s right for you.
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