The ACCENT Learning Hub

The Great Resignation is upon us, and no industry or department is being spared. In the past few months, we've seen a massive increase in professionals leaving their roles and seeking new employment. This is a natural reaction to the rising pressure from the challenges of living and working through the COVID economic crisis. Now that we’re nearly two years into it, many people are looking to make a change. At the same time, there’s an incredible demand for qualified professionals to fill thousands of available positions across the US.

The Memorial Day holiday is behind us, signaling the start of summer. I hope you were able to enjoy some family time along with your favorite foods over the three-day weekend. I am so thankful to everyone in all branches of the United States Armed Forces who currently protect our freedoms as Americans. I pay homage to those who have given their lives for us. As we move into June, I wonder how you spent the month of May. For me, this past month was used to get the planning and financial juices flowing. Here at Accent, we spend quite a bit of time with business planning and this includes thinking about the business of business, and the role that Information Technology plays in shaping the workplace.

  Keeping up with technology these days feels impossible. It seems like every day there is a new acronym or term that has taken over a new identity, like the Cloud. With advancements happening so rapidly, it can be overwhelming, leaving your business hanging in flux. Trying to define what actually gives your small business a competitive edge and what's fluff is a full-time job.

Operating a business is expensive. Between payroll, materials, taxes, equipment, legal services, etc., it’s no surprise that every business owner would like to lower their costs to improve their margins. It seems like almost every day, a business executive tells me that they want lower IT costs without sacrificing service. There are four key areas I tell business leaders to check first to ensure they are maximizing the results from their IT investment.

You’re gearing up to pick the best outsourced IT company for your business, excited about the potential benefits!  But you aren’t 100% sure how to pick the best managed IT services provider. Or maybe you’ve narrowed it down, but now you’re stuck in a dead tie. Accent Computer Solutions, Inc. has been helping companies develop their best IT strategy for over 30 years. A topic that frequently comes up is, “How can I compare IT support companies? What criteria should I evaluate?”   Since we talk about it often, we’ve compiled a list to help narrow down your search for the right IT support!

Just like when you out grow your favorite pair of shoes as a child, you’ll reach a point in your company’s lifecycle where IT outsourcing becomes a must. Sometimes the tell-tale signs are hard to identify but for companies with 30-500 employees, the warning signs are evident.

You’ve probably heard the term “managed services.” You might have wondered what it meant and if it had anything to do with your small business. You’ve also probably heard the term outsourcing. Those words are often used interchangeably. In a nutshell, outsourcing or managed services, means that a third-party acts as your IT department, or in some cases, supplements your current in-house IT department. Do you have an IT department? Is your in-house IT team limited on time, resources, or ability?  It might be time to check out what outsourcing can do for you.

Let’s just be honest, switching vendors for almost any reason can be a distraction and a time snatcher. But sometimes it’s the right move for your company long term. Changing IT vendors doesn’t have to be that hard if it’s planned out in advance. Perhaps your contract is up, or you’re not getting what you need from your current arrangement. Either way, moving to a new IT provider should be about adding value to your company. But value can be lost in transition if your processes, needs, and expectations are not planned and communicated beforehand. The transition might be the hardest part of your new IT services contract, but it doesn’t have to be.

Here in Southern California, we take it for granted that growing season extends throughout the year. Did you know that our state leads the nation in agricultural production? Food grown here makes its way to grocery stores and food processors, not only all over the country, but all over the world. The reason why California has been able to become an agricultural leader is largely due to the climate, and conditions that are conducive to growth. As you seek to grow your business, it’s vital that you create conditions that are conducive to business growth. Here are seven ways that managed IT services helps you to do that.

Can you believe how quickly February has passed? It certainly flew by for me. We've had a lot going on this month and I thought I'd share a bit from behind the scenes. Here is a quick update on what we have been focusing on this month: