In today's fast-paced world, choosing the right managed services provider (MSP) is like finding a trustworthy partner for your business journey. It's essential to team up with an industry leader because they bring expertise and experience to the table. Their track record and recognition can set them apart from the competition. When you partner with an MSP, you're choosing a team of professionals who understand the MSP landscape inside out.
In this blog, you’ll discover 3 ways to make sure you’re with the right MSP.
1. A Proven Track Record
When choosing the right MSP, it’s important to ask: are they even good? The last thing you want is to team up with an IT provider who will leave you hanging when things get tough. So, how can you make sure your IT partner is more than just talk? Here are 2 things to consider:
- Recognition
Anyone can say they're great at what they do. But a true sign is someone who is committed to continually improving. In IT, a clear sign is your MSP’s accomplishments and commitment to continued education and certification.
It’s important to make a note of awards that highlight industry leaders, their accomplishments, and their continued commitment to educating themselves and completing certifications. This speaks to the importance of MSPs not only providing excellent service but also creating opportunities to level up their own organizations. Because as the tech you use continues to evolve, the people who support you should too.
- Reviews
Above all, MSPs should provide services that solve your needs. Because you deserve to be at the heart of everything your IT support does. To make sure you find an MSP that’s right for you, read what other people are saying. An IT company is only as good as their service, and their customer reviews should reflect that.
Look for average ratings of 4.5 to 4.9 stars on Google Reviews. This will give you a quick overview of how satisfied your peers are with their MSP. From there, keep an eye out for keywords like “fast” and “efficient” or “friendly” and “professional.” Your MSP should respond to your IT issues quickly and do everything they can to keep your downtime as short as possible. Likewise, you shouldn’t get off the phone with your IT feeling more frustrated than you were before calling them. And, please, never partner with someone who makes you “feel dumb.” Your IT provider’s goal should be to help you—not humiliate.
2. People First, Technology Second®
People should be priority number one. Always. Because great technology can’t outperform a poor culture. In order to reap the true benefits of your MSP, they need to craft every solution with your success in mind. Here’s why you need to make sure your MSP’s culture is legitimate, not lip service:
- A Strong Culture Equals Better Service for You
The quickest way to discover whether or not your MSP is the right fit? Seeing if the people who work there actually like it. Let’s be honest— “culture” has become a buzzword within the last few years. From ping-pong tables to pizza parties, company culture has become more about perks and less about people.
That’s why awards that celebrate culture and people are important. They’re a strong indicator that a company’s employees enjoy who they work for and what they do. And it’s worth noting that awards like this are based on employee feedback. Because higher employee satisfaction means higher performance. And higher employee performance means better service for you.
3. Experience
If information is power, then experience is the key to unlocking it. Your IT provider needs to know what they’re doing to get you to where you want to go. Sounds obvious, right? Well, it’s not just about knowing where to go. It’s about knowing how to adapt when you’re met with obstacles. Technology is constantly evolving, and your MSP should be able to guide you through every upgrade and innovation.
The key to adaptability starts at the top. If your MSP’s CEO doesn’t have the experience to weather challenges, adopt new technologies, and learn to thrive instead of survive, then how can you hope for your company to do the same?
A company’s attitude is a direct reflection of its leadership. And your IT partner’s leadership should give you peace of mind, not panic. That’s why it’s important to pay attention to achievements that celebrate experience and legacyؙ—that recognize a leader’s commitment to servant leadership and excellence over decades. Awards like this are a testament to leaders who push themselves to continually be better than they were yesterday.
Conclusion
Your MSP can be the difference between your growth or stagnation. Between a state of peace or a state of panic. It’s important to partner with someone who won’t only work for you, but with you. Someone who will champion your mission and create a roadmap to get there. Whether it’s industry recognition, a passionate people-first culture, or experience to thrive with every change, partnering with an MSP means choosing a team that cares about you as much as you do.
If you want to learn more about choosing the right IT provider for you, talk to one of our team members at 844-44-JMARK for secrets you won’t find online. With awards like the #1 Best Place to Work, Tech Elite 250, and the Legacy Adviser Award, we know what it takes to create a culture that helps people thrive, and have the experience to adapt as technology and business continue to evolve. We’ll answer your questions and walk you through how you can optimize your IT to accelerate your business’s growth.