A glance at the business section of any daily paper or newsfeed today would reveal a challenge that now, more than ever, vexes company owners and executives across the nation: finding and keeping competent, trustworthy employees. Indeed, the nature of the employer–employee relationship has changed radically from what it was even a mere 20 years ago; and that change has accelerated and been exacerbated by the advent of the COVID-19 virus, which saw the imposition of both voluntary and government-mandated restrictions on all types of businesses in order to slow the spread of the virus.
The result is that our once commonly understood definition of the term “employee” itself has undergone a sea change. Does it refer only to those individuals who were explicitly hired by the company and who show up at the office every day? What about contract workers or freelancers—are they considered employees as well?
Further complicating an already complicated situation is the matter of covering employee payroll costs. Full-time employees do not come cheap; and the higher they stand on the executive ladder, the more they cost. Those executives possessing specialized knowledge and mission-critical skills can command lofty salaries—which not all companies are able to afford, even if they can find a qualified candidate to hire. This is especially true of CIOs (Chief Information Officers).
Good CIOs Prove Their Worth Every Day
No matter their size or industry, all businesses today exist in the Information Age, whether they like it or not. Even the humblest pizza shop needs a computer connected to the Internet in order to function, or it won’t survive as a business. That goes more than double for larger companies that deal with vast amounts of digital data on a daily basis. In those situations, a top-level IT executive is indispensable. That person would be called a “Chief Information Officer” (or CIO). They would be tasked with purchasing and maintaining the requisite hardware and software company-wide, training and managing employees to run the equipment, overseeing data security, and countless other IT-related tasks. So yes, a good CIO in today’s business environment is worth every penny you pay them. Cybersecurity and appropriate IT policies are essential for most businesses.
Introducing the Virtual CIO (vCIO)
For some companies facing these twin conundrums, hiring a Virtual Chief Information Officer, or vCIO, rather than a conventional in-house CIO is the ideal solution. Getting outside help to manage the things your existing executives do not have expertise in can be a company lifesaver. The only difference, really, is that the person providing consultation for your IT strategy is a third party.
Many small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) that want to remain competitive in the digital age—but have budgetary concerns about how to do so—have come to realize the differences are negligible. The vCIO collaborates with and advises the client’s IT department and performs the exact same functions as a conventional in-house CIO. Those functions include managing department employees, formulating and following through on short-term and long-term strategic information technology goals, planning the IT budget, analyzing business processes, and facilitating technology improvements and updates.
Advantages of Using FullScope IT vCIO Services
Simplicity: Your company’s HR department avoids the costly and time-consuming effort involved in interviewing candidates and eventually hiring an in-house CIO.
Competence: Because the vCIO will have worked within a range of industries and must stay current on a host of IT developments, your company can only benefit from this unusual level of experience.
Accessibility: We are always available. By hiring FullScope as your vCIO, you will benefit from 24/7 support year-round. And we won’t suddenly disappear when you need us most!
Corporate Neutrality:Because our vCIO is insulated from your company’s history and internal politics, they can take an impartial, objective approach to creating work assignments and managing employees. The vCIO’s fresh perspective on “under-the-radar” problems can only benefit your company.
Call FullScope IT and let us help keep your infrastructure working efficiently and securely now—and into the future.
The FullScope IT Managed Services Advantage
- 24/7/365 proactive monitoring and maintenance
- Predictable all-inclusive pricing, which means labor is always covered
- Increased operational efficiency
- Reduced operating costs
- Cost-effective access to enterprise-level 24/7/365 live support
- Peace of mind, so you can focus on running your business and not the technology
