Since I started working (and thankfully, always in my field), my goals and tools have evolved with time and each job change.
In small to mid-sized companies, investing in IT equipment was often difficult—and buying software? Unthinkable! Who in their right mind would pay for software?
Of course, I’m referring to companies outside of the tech sector, and this was almost 8 years ago. Still, now that I work at a multinational tech company, I sometimes wonder—does this mindset still exist?
I remember small, chaotic IT departments where one person did everything behind the screen. I always wondered: do people really understand what’s behind my profession? Does an architect build the house themselves? Does a chef spend their time peeling potatoes?
It was that lack of understanding that frustrated me. It brought more responsibility, fewer resources, and often meant I had to be more of a magician than a technician.
The problem always came—inevitably—when something broke: servers down, internal network loops, VoIP misconfigurations, remote offices without any IT support, and maintenance done every 2–3 years… if ever.
That’s exactly why, sometimes, less is more.
And it shouldn’t be seen as an expense—it’s an investment. Everything becomes easier when you invest in decent, modular, or scalable hardware; in powerful software that truly meets your needs (and yes, you pay for it); and in specialized people—because guess what? Not all IT professionals know how to do everything.
Some might argue this is unrealistic for small businesses, but is it really? There are hundreds, even thousands of software solutions competing with each other, startup grants, and new professionals entering the workforce—ready to take on challenges and do things the right way.
Because honestly, it’s not that hard.