Your employees have told you that the network seems to be slowing down. There are so many choices as to what could be wrong—what should you do next? Your new problems with the work computers seem to be minor, if persistent. Should you call someone to come look, and what might that cost? Should you wait it out to see if these issues go away on their own, and how bad could that potentially be? Who would be best to call, anyway? How can you know which IT company is the best fit for your particular business? How can you check to see if an IT quote is fair or if it is inflated?

If you have experienced any of the above three situations, you have experienced FUD. Fear, Uncertainty, and Doubt. These three emotions are a part of all business but in today’s warp-speed technology progression, I see high levels of FUD especially when it comes to company IT situations.

Information Technology is now a specialty, and you need specialists to assess your particular computer system needs, then strategize on how to most cost-effectively support, protect and hopefully expand your technology network. You need to feel good when you have to pick up the phone and call your IT company. You don’t need the distraction of having to deal with any level of FUD.

My advice is to meet with and learn from different IT management companies in your area. Compare those conversations and offers. Do the research with local BBBs and ask your peers who they use or who they may have knowledge of. Just like you would search for the perfect business insurance, you should also search for the perfect fit with an IT management company (it’s kind of the same thing in the biggest picture.) And also, once you have decided which IT management company to go with, give yourselves some time to get used to working together. Maybe even write down your mutual expectations so that you have them to refer to if there are learning bubbles in the opening days and weeks.