At ECLEVA, we’ve proudly celebrated 19 years of delivering IT solutions, and in that time, we’ve witnessed many changes in the technology landscape. However, some things remain constant—particularly the mistakes businesses make when trying to leverage technology effectively. 

As we continue to evolve, we’ve identified the top 3 IT mistakes that businesses often make, and we’ve outlined ways to avoid them to ensure you get the most from your technology investments. 

Mistake #1: Overestimating IT’s Role 

It might sound surprising coming from an IT solutions provider, but IT isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. Many businesses fall into the trap of thinking that just by adopting new technology, they’ll automatically gain a competitive edge. While technology can be a powerful enabler, it’s not a magic wand. 

Our advice: Instead of viewing IT as the ultimate solution, consider it as a tool to help your business function more efficiently. 

From our experience, the real value of IT lies in: 

• Streamlining and automating your business processes 
• Managing your data – storing, accessing, and analyzing it effectively 
• Enhancing communication across all channels – allowing your team to connect anytime, anywhere 

By focusing on the business first and letting IT support those goals, you’ll see much better results. 

Our experience is that IT is most valuable in these areas:

• Automating and improving your business processes
• Handling your data – storing, accessing and analysing
• Making your communication more flexible and efficient – anytime, anywhere, any channel

So harness the power of what IT does best and put the focus on your business first – and IT second.

Mistake #2: Ignoring “Time to Value” 

In today’s fast-paced market, business needs can shift in an instant. That means you can’t afford to take months or years to implement an IT solution. If your project takes too long, by the time it’s complete, the business requirements might have already changed. You’ll end up with a solution that’s out of date before it even launches. 

Our tip: Focus on delivering value as quickly as possible. The traditional approach of delivering on time and on budget might leave you with an outdated solution. Instead, aim for shorter cycles that deliver value immediately, allowing you to pivot and respond to market changes faster. 

This approach will keep your IT more relevant and can ultimately save you time and money while generating real business value. 

Tip #3: Create effective cross-functional teams

There’s often a temptation to have the business “tell” IT what it needs and then leave the IT team to figure it out. While it sounds efficient, this “hands-off” approach often results in projects that miss the mark and lead to longer timelines. 

Our advice: Build effective, cross-functional teams that engage both the business and IT throughout the project. Regular communication (even short daily check-ins) ensures that everyone is aligned, expectations are set, and potential issues are addressed early. 

For instance, including team members like “Anne from Accounting” who know specific processes inside out can make a big difference in getting the solution right from the start. 

The right approach to IT can bring huge returns for your business. By avoiding these common mistakes, you can better manage IT project risks and unlock the true value of your investment. 

Want to learn more? Feel free to reach out or visit our website www.ecleva.com for additional insights!