Our daily lives are increasingly being impacted by the evolution of technology – and the business world is no different. As our fast-paced digital environment continues to pick up speed, large and small businesses alike are looking for expert IT help to keep them ahead of the tech curve.

What’s more, large and small businesses are now almost entirely dependent on their cutting-edge digital assets and IT infrastructure to get through the day. Small businesses in particular, who are often lacking the profits, manpower and efficiency of a larger corporation, are being severely impacted as they struggle to stay ahead of the tech curve and maximise productivity.

As a result, hiring a specialised digital caretaker to maintain your technology could be the answer. Outsourcing the management of your tech guarantees the productivity and efficiency of IT infrastructure and digital assets by ensuring everything is kept up-to-date and operating to a high quality.

When searching for IT support, there are several advantages to take into account – but first, what is managed IT support? And why is it so beneficial for small businesses?

Does my business need IT Support?

If you’re the proprietor of a small business, you may think IT support is beyond the scope of your organisation. After all,  IT support is expensive, right?

The truth is there is a number of small businesses these days turning to bespoke IT support services. IT support companies offer a variety of different support service levels which can be tailored to the needs of your business.

You might consider outsourcing your IT support if:

• You are diverting attention away from your business operations to fix technical issues with your IT infrastructure and/or digital assets
• You want to implement new IT infrastructure for your small or start-up business in order to expand or up-scale
• You want to use industry-leading technology for your company but are unsure of what you require.
• Your company needs to go digital but you’re not sure where to begin
• Your company is too small to employ an internal IT expert
• Although you already have an internal IT expert/s, you still need to outsource the management of your tech to supplement your existing staff

The benefits of IT support for small businesses

When considering whether or not IT support is for you, it is critical to carefully examine how much downtime your business can handle. If your systems crash, do you and your team have the knowledge and skill set required to repair the problem? Do you really want your employees preoccupied with things other than the jobs you hired them to do?

Today, the vast majority of businesses rely entirely on their digital assets and IT infrastructure to get through the day. Your business will undoubtedly be less productive if you frequently experience downtime, which will eventually have an effect on your overhead costs, profitability as well as your overall growth. This can spell disaster for a small business or start-up.

What advantages can managed IT services offer a small business?

Cost-effective & flexible 

Employing the assistance of an IT support service can significantly reduce your overhead expenditures. When you outsource the maintenance of your IT infrastructure and digital assets to a managed IT company, your business gains access to a fully staffed team of technical specialists – for a fraction of hiring an in-house tech expert, who would otherwise cost you a monthly salary plus benefits.

Numerous expert IT support companies also provide flexible payment schedules and short-term contracts without commitment. This means that even smaller organisations, that might not have the resources or profitability of a larger organisation, can still benefit from an IT support company’s help.

A single port of call

When a technical problem arises, do your employees blow up your phone? With the aid of an IT support provider, you can rest assured that in the event of a disruption and/or crash, your team will have a single point of contact. Any technological issues your company may be experiencing will also be resolved as quickly as possible, which can boost both your employee’s and your technology’s performance and productivity.

Disaster recovery

For large and small businesses alike, a well-thought-out, forward-thinking disaster recovery strategy can be the difference between rapid recovery and prolonged disruptions to your working day. Disaster recovery can be anything from data recovery to network redundancy, as well as testing and planning your recovery processes in the event of a crash and/or disruption. An IT support provider will be able to assess your current processes and identify any risks that pose a threat to your operational continuity – and resolve those issues before they escalate.

Resilient, up-to-date IT infrastructure

As a business, you most likely depend on digital assets and IT infrastructure to get through the day. An IT support company will be able to monitor your system and keep everything under close watch, depending on the degree of service you choose. This results in a more secure and robust infrastructure.

Employing the assistance of a managed IT support company will also ensure your system is kept up to date. This includes your existing IT infrastructure and digital assets, as well as any management software and/or networks your business relies on. 

Final thoughts

Your company’s needs will ultimately determine the level of IT support you choose. Start by doing a quick search on your favourite search engines such as Google or Bing. It’s important to note that finding a service local to your organisation will have its benefits even if you’re looking for remote support, so anything location-centric such as ‘IT Support Bristol’ to ‘IT Support Services near me’ should bring up a number of companies close to your own business. From there, it should be easy enough to focus your search and identify the ideal business that shares your own values and can offer you the services you’re after.

The importance of IT support in today’s fast-paced culture cannot be disputed. Cloud services and IT support are only two of the many unique services that IT support companies provide. There is no doubting the critical role IT support plays in the modern economy for both big and small organisations alike.

While it’s true that the cost of energy has skyrocketed in recent years, with many companies struggling to keep up with rising costs, here are a few ways businesses can reduce their energy costs without sacrificing efficiency.

1. Outsource Utility Procurement

Many businesses have been able to reduce their energy costs by outsourcing energy procurement and management using a business utility broker. Those who do this typically find that they can save more money by outsourcing than they lose by having to pay a company to procure and manage their energy.

2. Install and use energy-efficient appliances

From air conditioning units to light bulbs, choosing energy-efficient appliances can significantly reduce the money businesses pay to keep their offices up and running.

3. Replace old equipment with new

Old equipment is usually inefficient and costs a lot to run. Not only does upgrading or replacing old equipment help save money overall, but the new systems are more energy efficient.

5. Insulate your offices

Saving money on heating and air conditioning costs doesn’t have to mean sacrificing comfort. Install proper insulation to keep your building at a healthy temperature, whether it’s during the colder winter months or warmer summer months.

6. Upgrade HVAC systems

Many building codes require that all new commercial buildings have high-efficiency HVAC units installed to cut energy costs and limit any carbon emissions that may be produced when the building is operated.

7. Use on-site renewable energy sources

Solar panels are a great way to generate energy for your business and often come with government rebates and credits that can help cover the cost of installing them. In addition, many utilities offer special rates for businesses that choose to use renewables rather than traditional forms of energy.

8. Look for energy-efficient products from local businesses

Local businesses tend to be more environmentally friendly than large, national chains, and many of them also choose to purchase a portion of their materials from environmentally friendly companies. This helps reduce the carbon footprint of their products.

9. Increase awareness of environmental issues, especially among your employees

While business owners can encourage additional energy savings by purchasing energy-efficient products and installing renewable energy sources at their facilities, business owners should also encourage employees to be more conscious about the energy they use in their personal lives. For example, encouraging workers to unplug all electronics when they’re not being used can help decrease wasted energy.

10) Fleet management

Many fleets have gas-guzzling vehicles that don’t need to be as large. Replacing these vehicles with smaller cars, trucks, or vans with better mileage can save a business money on gasoline expenses while also reducing its carbon footprint.

11) Use motion-activated lighting

Motion-activated lighting can also cut down on lighting costs. Occupancy sensors switch on a room’s lights only when it’s being used, but motion sensors will also switch on and illuminate the area automatically if someone enters the space. If you have large, open spaces in your workplace (like warehouses), these lights can be set up to illuminate just that space instead of wasting energy illuminating an entire building.

Businesses that follow these suggestions can save a lot of money while being environmentally friendly. Businesses should operate efficiently while also looking out for their customers’ best interests. If a company is known for its energy efficiency policies, it will attract customers who are interested in doing the right thing when they shop.

In April 2021, the banking world sat up and took notice when the Italian banking giant UniCredit announced that Andrea Orcel would be taking over as Group Chief Executive Officer. It was seen as a bold and imaginative appointment, and he brings to the role a wealth of experience and a truly global reputation.

A global figure

Orcel’s reputation has been built on a high-profile track record of dealmaking and delivery allied to vision. Born in 1963 in Rome, his father ran a small leasing company and his mother worked for the United Nations. His interest in investment banking was reportedly sparked by a report on mergers and acquisitions that he read while on holiday in the US when he was 18.

After studying economics and commerce at the Sapienza University of Rome he went on to the prestigious INSEAD business school to study for an MBA. His working career began at Goldman Sachs and the Boston Consulting Group, before joining Merril Lynch in 1992 where his reputation as a dealmaker was established.

He acted as an advisor during the merger between Credito Italiano and Unicredito, a $21bn deal that created Italy’s largest bank and laid the foundations for the 21st century UniCredit that Orcel now heads up.

His career saw him move to UBS, and then Santander in 2019 as CEO, becoming the first non-Spaniard to hold such a significant position in the group.

After his appointment to his new role at UniCredit, investors were keen to hear what his plans were for the future. Would he build on his reputation as a dealmaker or might he have other priorities?

An emphasis on growth

After taking time to get to know the business better Orcel finally outlined his plans. In his December strategy update, Orcel pledged to generate dividends and buyback for shareholders worth at least 16 billion euros ($18 billion) in the next four years. To do this he has set a target of 10 per cent growth.

He intends to achieve this by streamlining UniCredit’s operations and cutting out extraneous spending on areas such as external consultancy fees. He also promised to invest in technologies to speed up the group’s digital transformation which should eventually deliver considerable savings.

After outlining his strategy, shares in the group jumped by 11 per cent, bringing their gain for the previous months to nearly 70 per cent after a tough 2020 for the entire banking sector.

In subsequent interviews, Orcel pointed out that UniCredit had fared better than many of its competitors through a turbulent period as a result of being diversified. Where some parts of the business struggled others thrived.

A measured approach to mergers and acquisitions

Orcel joins UniCredit with a strong reputation as a dealmaker, frequently called upon to advise global banking groups on some of the sector’s biggest deals. Investors were keen to find out what approach he would take to mergers and acquisitions in his new role. The answer came at the end of 2021 when Orcel outlined a pragmatic approach to mergers and acquisitions; while UniCredit is open to them, he has suggested that the criteria for pursuing any deals will be high.

Orcel insists that the group is under no pressure to make deals and a priority would be placed on what they are already doing. He says he will consider any potential deal but it will need to be a good strategic fit and provide real benefits to the group before he’ll consider proceeding.

This measured and serious approach reflects the current global economic climate, as well as Orcel’s determination to build on the strengths of the business while addressing shortfalls.

ESG to the fore

Orcel is also looking to embed environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) initiatives. Under his stewardship he wants the group to set a positive example to other banks and its own corporate clients. Orcel wants the group to be a pioneer leading the way where others will follow.

Andrea Orcel’s appointment marks the beginning of a new era for UniCredit and investors will be keen to see how delivery matches up to the plans. 

The courier industry is busier than ever in these days of lock-downs and the pandemic.

However, no matter how much demand for parcel delivery grows, there is no getting away from the fact that the industry is facing a wide range of serious challenges.

You might be wondering what challenges in courier industry exist today. Let’s unlock the secrets behind a sector that is so central to modern lifestyles.

1. Delayed Deliveries

There are many challenges faced by the courier industry when it comes to delayed deliveries. One of the biggest delivery problems and challenges is finding the right transportation mode for each shipment. This can be a difficult and time-consuming task.

There are many factors to consider when choosing the right mode of transportation. Depending on the time frame and urgency of the shipment, different transportation modes may be more or less ideal.

Another big challenge is dealing with unexpected delays. Because the courier industry deals with time-sensitive shipments, any delays can cause major problems.

There are often unforeseen circumstances that can cause delays. Weather or traffic conditions are major factors. Dealing with these delays can be very difficult, as they often cannot be helped. To know what is expected away from delayed deliveries, view this same day courier discussion.

2. High Delivery Cost

The courier industry is facing some challenges that are hampering its growth. One of the major challenges faced by the courier industry is the high delivery cost. The courier companies have to bear the cost of fuel, labor, and other operational expenses, which increase the delivery cost.

Moreover, the courier companies also have to invest in the latest technologies and infrastructure to stay competitive. As a result, the courier companies are struggling to maintain their profitability.

Another challenge faced by the courier industry is the stringent regulations imposed by the government. The courier companies have to comply with various regulations. This means they adhere to safety, security, and environmental protection requirements.

These regulations add to the operational cost of the courier companies and affect their bottom line.

3. Dependency on Human Resources

One of the most pressing challenges is the need to find and retain qualified workers. This is becoming increasingly difficult as there is competition in courier industry for workers with the necessary skill-sets.

In addition, the industry is also facing challenges related to rising wages. This is making it difficult for them to remain competitive. Another challenge facing the industry is the increasing use of technology, which is resulting in a need for new skill-sets among workers.

As the industry looks to the future, it will need to address these challenges to remain competitive and thrive.

Understand the Challenges in Courier Industry

Though there have been challenges in courier industry in recent years, it faces many challenges. To stay competitive, courier companies need to be aware of these challenges and adapt their strategies accordingly.

Despite these challenges, the courier industry is still a promising and growing industry. Courier companies that can adapt to the changes will be able to thrive in the future.

If you think you gained some new facts from this article, don’t hesitate to visit or main blog page for more interesting posts.