by Ted Saul

Your business is expanding; customer traffic is up along with sales.   But you are noticing that the technology running your business along with the time required to manage it is also growing.  What was once a computer and printer now consist of networks, storage, and multiple servers linked to the Internet.   It may be time to consider bringing on an IT person to manage this piece of the business.

The good news is that due to the state of the economy there is a supply of highly technical resources available.  However finding the right fit for you business is not always quite that easy.  Years ago running a computer was all one had to know for IT.   Today these jobs are typically senior level, requiring a variety of skills and have an effect on all aspects of the business.  When carrying out your candidate search here is some areas to consider.

Technical Knowledge - You probably don’t want to hire someone with a background in Linux to manage your Windows environment.  Match the candidate’s knowledge to your operating system environment.  Also consider how much hardware knowledge this person may need to have.  Some background on configuration and installation may be required for what your vendor does not cover.   Make sure they can recognize basic hardware failures.

Business Background - Good IT managers these days have a strong business background and in fact large corporations will often require a masters degree in business.  They must have the ability to understand how your company operates.  Negotiating skills are key to working with vendors and service providers to obtain not only the best price but also to ensure the purchases meet company requirements.

Security - A competent IT manager must have a strong understanding of security requirements for computing environments.   Training and certifications are a plus but they need to be motivated to keep up with changes in the industry.  Knowledge of disaster recovery and business continuity is also a must.

An understanding of how technologies work together – If you are going to mix vendor equipment, IT needs to know that everything is compatible.  They also should be aware of how changing direction on part of your environment will affect another.

Vision for the future - Last but not least, an excellent candidate will be watching where the industry is going and will help take your company there.   For example, do you want to move towards the use of tablet technology as opposed to laptop?  Is there a justification for smart phone usage?   The right person will want and be able to grow with your company.  They need to be self-motivated, able to work complex issues and handle the pressure of IT demands.

Ted Saul is a small business coach with over 25 years in the IT business.  Among other computer work he has been an IT manager for a manufacturing firm in Fullerton California.  He can be reached at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , on Twitter as TedS787 or LinkedIN.com.