Challenge partners to achieve more

No organisation should be
an island. And as our research shows, decision makers are more alert to the opportunities for efficiency through collaboration than ever.

needs

A challenge shared
is a challenge halved

Increasing value efficiency of existing investments. Ensuring employee time is productive. Focusing on growth, employee experience, and outsourcing – all of this is too much for any one individual.

So as decision makers navigate 2023’s balancing act, they’re turning to the expertise of their IT functions and external partners
for support.

78% of respondents rely on their IT and telecoms providers for consultancy on how to maximise the value of their legacy tech.

To what extent do you reply on internal vs external IT support to help maximise the value of your legacy technology?

Collaboration with IT experts, be they internal or external, has risen sharply in the years since the pandemic. We’re hearing first-hand how organisations are in more in-depth and frequent contact with their teams to understand their needs.

“The level of collaboration between senior IT teams and the operational business has changed for the better. It’s become far more interconnected.”
Paula Eavis, Director of Human Resources, Bunzl UK

What’s more, 59% of respondents told us they speak to their IT function to discuss their needs, and whether solutions to those needs are already in place, at least once a week. Across the board, more conversations are happening – and more often.

70% of respondents rated their external suppliers’ IT and telecoms consultancy as ‘good’ or ‘excellent’ in helping them uncover new ways of working within their current connectivity setup.

How often, if at all, do your departments speak to the organisation's IT functions to discuss their needs and whether solutions to their needs are already in place?

“We don't necessarily need to reduce the cost, but we need to get more value from what we have and discover the benefits of the technology that we've already got. How that can help the business to grow without financially having to grow the investment.”
Graham Walsh, Medical Director, Yorkshire and Humber Academic Health Science Network

Confidence in
suppliers is soaring

As customers and partners work together more often and achieve greater success, overcoming the economic challenges of 2023 becomes a shared objective.

Commitments like our Success Agreement for large enterprises and public sector organisations are evidence of this, as is our Get More fund for small and medium businesses (11-249 employees) where we put 10% of the cost of your mobile and internet plan towards buying the latest tech for your team.

Already the confidence in this approach is showing.

How well would you rate the IT and telecommunications consultancy you receive from your external suppliers
and partners to uncover new ways of working within
your current connectivity setup?

75% of respondents agree their IT and telecoms partner are rising to the economic challenges of 2023 to provide the consultancy their organisation needs to make smart tech investment choices.

The overall picture is positive.
But there is still room for improvement and efficiency is all about attention to the finer details.

29% of health sector decision makers said their organisation currently suffers from poor connectivity. Small and medium business decision makers were less likely to rate their IT support as ‘excellent’ in helping them to uncover new ways of working, at 18%. And in policing 26% reported lack of support from digital suppliers and partners was the biggest barrier preventing them from achieving efficiency.

“It’s important to use your subject matter experts properly. It’s about building partner relationships that aren’t just calling someone when you need something, but keeping each other informed so that you’re always on the same page.”
Paul Treacy, Principal ICT Infrastructure and Operations Consultant, Cabinet Office

Do you feel your relationships with IT and telcoms partners have deepened since the pandemic?

Definitely
Somewhat
No

Key takeaways:

Challenge your IT and telecoms partners more to share their expertise with you and your organisation.
Find out where your partners could be pushing your organisation further – there may be untapped potential you’re not aware of yet.