I talk to a lot of businesses that rely on Managed Service Providers (MSPs) for IT support. It’s a solid model—MSPs keep things running, handle troubleshooting, and provide coverage across multiple clients. But here’s the issue: relying solely on an MSP, without an internal IT Manager, often leads to inefficiencies, reactive problem-solving, and a lack of strategic IT direction.
An IT Support person working within an MSP is focused on tickets, response times, and fixes. Their job is to resolve immediate technical issues, not to align IT with business objectives. That’s where an IT Manager changes the game. They bridge the gap between the business and technology, ensuring IT investments actually contribute to growth, efficiency, and competitive advantage.
MSPs are simply too far removed from the business to effectively manage business systems, processes, and line-of-business software. They work across multiple clients and don’t have the inside knowledge required to tailor IT solutions to the company’s specific needs. Without an internal IT Manager, businesses often find their critical systems managed in a generic, one-size-fits-all manner that doesn’t truly support their operations.
I’ve seen it countless times—companies that depend entirely on an MSP struggle with long-term planning. They end up with a patchwork of systems, unnecessary costs, and a lack of accountability. An IT Manager ensures the MSP is held to the right standards, negotiates the right service agreements, and implements a roadmap that makes sense for the business.
IT security and data privacy should never be solely in the hands of a third party. It’s simply too risky to delegate full responsibility for protecting sensitive company data to an external provider. An internal IT Manager ensures security policies are aligned with business risks, compliance requirements are met, and there is accountability for protecting critical assets.
If your company is scaling and IT is becoming a critical function, having an internal IT Manager isn’t just a luxury—it’s a necessity. The combination of an IT Manager and a strong MSP gives you the best of both worlds: strategic oversight and top-tier support.
We’ve made it our business to identify the perfect skillset for an IT Manager of a mid tier business and then connect with and maintain relationships with them through our Think Tank lunches and engaging content. If you want access to this passive talent pool of IT Managers and technical people for your IT department, book in a Strategy Call with us here.
