Weekly Round-Up – Two Weeks of Challenges, Insights & Opportunities
Two Weeks of Challenges, Insights & Opportunities
It’s been two weeks since my last roundup, and a lot has happened. I missed last week’s update as I was completely run down—pushing hard in training, preparing to move house, juggling life with a 22-month-old, and, of course, keeping everything moving at work. It’s been intense, but that’s life. We all go through phases where the demands pile up, and the challenge is learning how to manage the pressure without burning out. Safe to say, I failed that one last week! But it’s a reminder that sometimes, you just need to stop and reset before pushing forward again.
The Dark Side of IT Sales – A Cautionary Tale
Over the past two weeks, we’ve seen both the best and the worst of the IT world. One particular situation stood out—a potential client being misled by another IT provider. I had to jump on a Teams call to address the situation when it became clear that this provider was outright lying to the client about their existing service.
Now, I’m not one to bad-mouth the competition. In fact, I believe healthy competition pushes all of us to be better. But when a business resorts to dishonest tactics—telling a client they aren’t receiving a service they most definitely are—it crosses a line. Integrity matters. Business is built on trust, and once that’s lost, it’s hard to regain.
What’s even more baffling is that this particular provider promotes the fact they operate on a 50% profit margin. Let’s break that down—if a business is making a 50% margin, that means either:
- They’re drastically overcharging their customers.
- They are cutting costs somewhere—likely in service quality or security.
Neither of these is a good scenario for the client. And yet, some businesses fall for the flashy sales pitch without stopping to question what’s really happening. My advice? Always, always check the facts. Ask for clarity, demand transparency, and don’t be afraid to challenge what you’re being told. IT is a crucial part of any business, and making the wrong decision can have long-term consequences.
Navigating an Uncertain Economy
Beyond individual business practices, we’ve been having more conversations with clients about the wider economic climate. There’s no denying that things are tough right now. Some businesses are thriving, while others are having to make difficult decisions. We’re currently working with a couple of clients that are restructuring—re-evaluating their costs, their technology, and their approach to efficiency.
Times like these separate those who adapt from those who don’t. The businesses that succeed aren’t necessarily the biggest or the wealthiest, but the ones that are willing to change, invest wisely, and make strategic decisions. The economy will always ebb and flow, and while it might feel like we’re in a downturn now, the swing will shift. The key is to be ready for the upswing when it comes.
For many businesses, that means looking at technology not just as a cost but as an investment. Are you using IT to drive efficiency? Are you automating where you can? Are you protecting your data properly? These are the questions businesses need to be asking themselves right now.
AI, DeepSeek & The Nvidia ‘Loss’ – A Reality Check
On the tech front, we saw something interesting with the launch of a new AI tool—DeepSeek. It’s yet another step forward in the AI race, but the real story was the reaction to it. The media ran wild with headlines about Nvidia losing £500 billion in value overnight due to the AI competition. Sounds catastrophic, right?
But let’s look at this with a bit of perspective. Yes, Nvidia’s stock dropped by 17%, but the company is still worth £2.6 trillion. Five years ago, they weren’t even close to that. So, is this really a “loss,” or is it just a market correction?
AI is evolving fast, and we’re in a space where new tools will keep emerging. The real question is, who do we trust? DeepSeek is just one example of a new AI platform entering the market, and businesses need to start thinking carefully about how much trust they place in AI-driven tools. Are they secure? Are they ethical? And most importantly, are they actually beneficial, or are they just another shiny object?
The Value of Real Conversations
Despite all the chaos, one of the highlights of the past two weeks has been catching up with clients. Sitting down, reviewing their IT strategy, and mapping out the next steps—it’s these conversations that really matter. Technology is only as good as the way it’s used, and the best results come from clear, well-thought-out plans.
I also had a long-overdue coffee with Mark Juniper, which was a great reminder of the value of real conversations. We get so caught up in emails, messages, and online meetings that we sometimes forget the power of simply sitting down and talking. We need to get another Norfolk Networking event scheduled soon—it’s been too long!
Ending on a High – Lincoln Business Club
To wrap up the week, I attended Lincoln Business Club—the first one of the year. If you haven’t been before, I highly recommend it. It’s one of those events that combines a great atmosphere with meaningful connections. New faces, old connections, and plenty of valuable discussions—it’s the perfect way to start the day and round off the week.
Final Thoughts
Looking ahead, the next few weeks are going to be just as busy, if not more so. There’s plenty to do, plenty to learn, and plenty of opportunities to help businesses navigate their IT, their security, and their growth. The key takeaway from these past two weeks? Be vigilant, be adaptable, and be willing to challenge what you’re told. The right decisions now will make all the difference in the long run.
