Why IT Staff Fail When They Don’t Have the Right Support (And How to Provide It)

December 26, 2024
A woman working diligently at her desk with a laptop, highlighting the importance of comprehensive support for IT staff.

Let’s talk about a common issue IT staff face: having all the tools and systems they need but still feeling stuck. 

Maybe your IT staff is constantly putting out fires, your leadership team is stressed out, and everyone is spread too thin. Sound familiar? 

The thing is, the struggle often isn’t the systems themselves. It’s the lack of support for your IT staff - support that goes beyond just fixing broken systems. 

If your IT staff isn’t getting the resources, guidance, and relief they need, you're setting them up for burnout.

The Hidden Struggles of an Unsupported IT Staff

Every IT staff has its challenges, but when the support is lacking, those struggles get worse. The team might be working with outdated systems, on tight budgets, or under the pressure of constant system issues.

Pain points include:

  • Burnout: When you’re always reacting, it’s easy to feel like you’re running in circles.
  • Stress: Tight deadlines, multiple problems, and little downtime can create serious mental and emotional pressure.
  • Inefficient Operations: Without proper support, IT staff struggles to integrate systems or troubleshoot effectively, which slows everything down.

And let’s not forget about the end-users who get frustrated when things aren’t working as they should. It’s a snowball effect: the team suffers, the users suffer, and your company feels it, too.

What "Support" Actually Means for IT Staff

So, what does support really look like for your IT team? It's more than just fixing broken things. It’s about providing the ongoing assistance, resources, and training that empower them to thrive.

Good support means:

  • Ongoing Training: IT isn’t static. New threats, updates, and technologies come up all the time. A well-supported team has the training to adapt quickly.
  • Emotional Support: Yes, your IT staff needs mental and emotional backup, too. Burnout doesn’t help anyone in the long run.
  • Strategic Alignment: Your IT staff should be working toward the same goals as the rest of the business. Without a connection to the bigger picture, it’s hard to stay motivated.
  • Expert Guidance: When things get complex, having access to external expertise (like NetSuite consultants) can make a huge difference.

Also, let’s talk about reactive vs. proactive support. The difference is huge. Reactive support is when you wait for things to go wrong and then scramble to fix them. Proactive support is anticipating needs and challenges before they happen and setting up your team for long-term success.

Signs Your IT Team Needs More Support

Here’s how you know your IT team is running on fumes and needs more support:

  1. Repetitive Issues: Your team is spending too much time fixing the same problems over and over.
  2. High Turnover: When IT staff are burned out or underappreciated, they’ll look for opportunities elsewhere.
  3. Missed Deadlines: Your team can’t seem to finish projects on time, no matter how hard they try.
  4. Low Morale: If the team is constantly stressed and doesn’t feel motivated, something’s missing.

It’s clear: without the right support, your team can’t succeed.

Download the Salary Guide to compare average salaries of top NetSuite ERP professionals.

How to Provide the Right Support to Your IT Team

Now, let’s get to the good stuff. How do you provide the support that’ll make a real difference for your IT staff? Here’s a practical guide to help:

  • Staff Augmentation: When your internal team is stretched thin, bring in external professionals to lighten the load. They can step in and help tackle tasks, allowing your core team to focus on what matters.
  • External Expertise: Sometimes, you need a consultant who specializes in your systems - like a NetSuite consultant who can step in with advanced knowledge and resolve issues faster.
  • Ongoing Training and Development: IT is a fast-moving field. Keep your team up to speed by providing regular training and resources to stay current on new trends and technologies.
  • Tools and Resources: Make sure your team has the tools they need to troubleshoot, diagnose, and solve issues quickly and effectively. Without the right tools, they’re fighting an uphill battle.

Support is about setting your team up for success, not just fixing problems as they arise.

The Cost of Neglecting IT Support

Neglecting to support your IT team doesn’t just hurt them - it hurts your business. Let’s break down the costs:

  • Increased System Downtime: When your team isn’t adequately supported, systems fail more often, and it takes longer to get them up and running again.
  • Employee Burnout: Your IT team will eventually burn out if they don’t get the support they need, leading to more sick days, higher turnover, and more recruitment costs.
  • Poor Performance: As your team struggles, so will your business. Poor system performance missed deadlines, and unhappy end-users will all reflect badly on your company.
  • Lost Competitiveness: A stressed-out IT team can’t innovate or adapt to market changes, and that can lead to losing your edge in the market.

Support isn’t an expense - it’s an investment.

The Positive Impact of Proper IT Support

When your IT staff gets the right support, the benefits are clear. Companies that invest in supporting their IT staff see improvements in several key areas:

  • Higher Efficiency: With the right tools and guidance, your IT staff can work faster and smarter, cutting down on wasted time.
  • Lower Turnover: Happy, supported employees stick around. Your team will feel valued and more engaged in their work.
  • Better Service Delivery: With less stress and burnout, your team will deliver better results and a more seamless experience for the rest of the company.

Support isn’t just about fixing problems - it’s about creating an environment where your IT staff can thrive and contribute to your company’s success.

Empower Your IT Staff to Succeed

Giving your IT staff the right support is key to your business’s long-term success. At Atticus Solutions, we understand the importance of providing that support. Whether you need NetSuite consultants, ongoing training, or extra hands to help manage your workload, we’re here to help.

Don’t let your IT staff struggle in silence. Book a consultation with us today to learn how we can support you and your team.

Aspect
Offshoring
Nearshoring
Outsourcing
Long-Term Costs
Cost-effective for skilled talent
Cost-effective but needs initial investment
High, offers control and flexibility
Investment
Moderate, reduces overhead
Initial training and technology
Highest initial and ongoing costs
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Access to nearby skilled talent
Large global talent pool
Maximum control over operations
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Key Differences
BPO
EOR
Not over PHP 250,000
Tax-exempt
Not over USD 434.49
Over PHP 250,000 but not over PHP 400,000
15% of the excess over PHP 250,000
Over USD 434.49 but not over USD 695.18
Over PHP 400,000 but not over PHP 800,000
PHP 22,500 + 20% of the excess over PHP 400,000
Over USD 695.18 but not over USD 1,390.36
Over PHP 800,000 but not over PHP 2,000,000
PHP 102,500 + 25% of the excess over PHP 800,000
Over USD 1,390.36 but not over USD 34,759.04

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