How Saving a Penny Broke the Bank
A BAD DREAM
What if you woke up one day and noticed a copycat competitor had opened up right next door? Not good for business, right? Well, this could happen to you if you don’t have the right technology in place.
WHEN NOT TRUSTING YOUR IT PROVIDER GOES WRONG
As a managed IT services provider at Lazer IT Consultants located in Palm Desert, whenever I take on a new client, I evaluate the technology they use in their business and recommend what's best for them. Some business owners might read this and think, Only I know what’s best for my business. Well, you're wrong. Want to know why? Then keep reading.
As business owners, we wear many hats—so many that it can be hard to keep everything straight. Our vision can become blurred, and we might think, Only I can do this job better than anyone else. But in reality, sometimes we need to let experts take the lead in their areas of expertise to protect and grow the business.
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SAVING PENNIES TO LOSE DOLLARS
The business owner in this story was fixated on saving money at every turn. He skimped on computers, neglected to invest in security, and didn’t implement proper employee policies. Most critically, he refused to purchase professional business email accounts such as Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace with a custom domain. Instead, he instructed his staff to use free Gmail accounts for work. I warned him that this was a dangerous move, but he was more concerned about saving a penny than securing his business.
Despite my decade-plus of IT experience, my advice wasn’t heeded. For him, as long as the computers were running, staff were working, and money was coming in, everything was fine—until it wasn’t.
PANDORAS BOX OF DISASTER WHICH JUST SNOWBALLS
The turning point came after he fired a key employee who had been with the company for years. The business owner didn't realize that this action would open a Pandora's box of problems. When the employee left, he also took his personal Gmail account, which he had been using for work. Under California state law, whoever opens a personal email account owns it. Without a company policy in place to protect sensitive information, the business owner was legally powerless.
Once the employee left, the company was locked out of that unsecured Gmail account and all the crucial data within it. You might wonder, Why didn’t IT step in to prevent this? Remember, this owner didn’t want to spend on proper IT services, believing he could manage it all himself.
It was at this point that I made the decision to fire this client. If someone refuses to listen to expert advice and insists on doing things their way, they’re not a good fit for managed IT services. Why would I want to provide IT support for a business that doesn’t value professional input?
THE DAMAGE WAS DONE AND THERES NO GOING BACK NOW
Weeks later, the same business owner reached out to me in a panic. He explained that the former employee had started a competing business and was stealing his customers. He wanted to know if I could access the old Gmail account. I had to tell him, No. That personal email belonged to the ex-employee, and there was no way for us to access it legally.
The owner then revealed that the email account held critical business information—usernames, passwords, vendor and customer contact lists, financial information, and other sensitive data. All of it was now under the control of someone with no loyalty to the business and every reason to exploit it.
This single, cost-saving decision turned into the most expensive mistake he had ever made. The personal Gmail account, unsecure and unprotected, ended up costing him his customer list, vendor relationships, and company secrets. A simple solution, like investing in a secure business email system such as Microsoft 365, could have prevented this catastrophe. Microsoft 365 offers secure email solutions that allow IT providers like Lazer IT Consultants to manage, control, and safeguard business email accounts.
LIFTING UP THE CURTAINS A BIT FOR A PERSONAL PITCH
At Lazer IT Consultants, we not only set up secure systems like Microsoft 365, but we also implement comprehensive security measures that allow us to remotely manage and lock down employee accounts. We can even wipe devices if necessary, ensuring that sensitive information remains protected. Unfortunately for this business owner, his decision to cut corners on business email security cost him dearly.
The ex-employee went on to use the stolen information to his advantage, and despite the business owner’s efforts to sue, the damage was already done. Sensitive information had been leaked, vendors and customers poached, and his competitive edge eroded.
All of this could have been avoided with a small investment in Microsoft 365, providing the necessary security to protect the company’s most valuable assets.
IN CONCLUSION
Using a secure business email system, like Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace, is not just a convenience—it's a critical business decision that safeguards your sensitive information, customer data, and company secrets. These solutions offer robust security features, access control, and support from IT professionals who can protect your business from threats and mishaps like the one described.
Don't wait until it’s too late. Secure your business today with the right technology. Book a discovery call with Lazer IT Consultants to learn how we can help you set up the most secure, efficient, and effective IT systems for your business. Book your FREE discovery call with us today!
