Sweet spot small businesses have very specific needs when it comes to virtual IT support.  Which technical skills do you need to best provide solutions?

Which Virtual IT Tasks Will Clients Require You to Do?

Sweet spot clients will need help with the most popular desktop applications:  Microsoft Office; Intuit QuickBooks; Interact ACT!, etc.  They will also need help with hardware upgrades and setting up shared folder backup software and keeping their antivirus and firewall software working.  They will probably also need help syncing PDAs and DEFINITELY need help with networks (a BIG part of your job as an outsourced virtual IT department!).

What about Micro Small Businesses?

Micro small businesses – those with less than 10 PCs – don’t usually spend a lot of money on people with advanced technical skills.  They are working with P2P networks and will see IT certifications and advanced virtual IT skills as a negative and something that makes you overqualified.  

Real IT Managers Care More about IT Certifications

When you are dealing with real IT managers in larger small businesses (over 50 systems), you will find someone that cares about advanced virtual IT skills.  Certifications will be important, and the company will be looking typically for specialists and deeply-niched experts to fill out their technical staff.  

The Main Idea about Virtual IT and Your Certifications

Sweet spot clients present a different opportunity from other small business clients.  You want to put most of your energy into the 10-50 PC space because they will be big enough to need sophisticated solutions, but not big enough to have to hire a really highly-skilled virtual IT professional.  

Added By:  Computer Consulting Kit