Day 7 – 12 Days of Unscripted with SST
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SMBs & Strategic IT
For Day 7, we revisit Episode Seven of Unscripted with SST, where Beau Elston, Josh Hohbein of CentrexIT, and Stephen Kellogg of Blue Helm Technology joined the conversation to discuss how small and mid-sized businesses, especially manufacturers, should be thinking about IT today. In this episode, the group explored why SMBs can no longer rely on reactive, break-fix approaches and why a strong IT partnership is now essential for stability, security, and long-term growth. A strong partnership is defined not only by fixing issues but also by strategic alignment, regular reviews, roadmap planning, budgeting support, and helping leadership make informed decisions.
Josh explained the Operational Maturity Levels and how they relate directly to IT maturity. As organizations grow, their technology strategies must evolve, shifting from ad hoc choices to planning aligned with business objectives. Stephen highlighted that leadership involvement is essential. IT impacts every part of the business, and when leaders treat it as a core function, they gain clarity, lower risk, and foster innovation and productivity.
The episode also highlighted the growing risks that SMBs often ignore. Cybercriminals target smaller businesses because they usually have weaker defenses. Many still think they are too small to be targeted, but the truth is very different. The group also discussed the hidden costs of downtime, which go far beyond a temporary drop in productivity. Downtime can harm customer trust, disrupt operations, and delay revenue opportunities.
Real-world examples illustrate the point clearly. One professional services firm cut reactive tickets by over half and nearly eliminated downtime after switching to a proactive IT approach. Another company without an IT plan experienced a severe ransomware attack, resulting in weeks of recovery and the loss of key clients.
Episode Seven delivered a clear message. SMBs need an IT strategy that supports and enhances their business, not one that hampers it. Strategic and proactive IT is no longer optional; it is essential for resilience, efficiency, and long-term growth.
