With the UK facing rising employer NICs, against a backdrop of other rising costs, most businesses and organisations are tightening their belts
Whether it’s seemingly small changes (like reviewing janitorial products you purchase) or larger, strategic decisions, like staff layoffs, each of the choices you make now has an impact.
Some businesses are postponing IT Projects! On the surface, this might seem like a sensible move, I get it, but what could saving a few pounds now cost in the longer term? In reality, it could be one of the riskiest decisions – especially when there are options. Consider this, delaying IT projects could handicap your business and growth!
1. Delays May Cost You More in the Long Run
Every outdated system, every manual process, and every inefficiency quickly adds up.
Investing in IT now can prevent higher maintenance costs, lost productivity, and emergency patches or fixes later.
2. Your Competitors Aren’t Waiting—Why Are You?
Businesses that invest in tech and processes have always gained a competitive edge whether that’s through automation, better data insights, or just improved customer experiences.
If you delay, you risk falling behind while others race ahead.
3. Your Employees Are Fed Up with Outdated Systems
In an exit interview recently, a friend delivered a withering review of his employer’s “third world tech”. Slow, outdated IT kills productivity and frustrates employees at a time when you need them MORE switched on than ever.
Meanwhile, modern tech and processes keep your workforce engaged, reducing turnover, avoiding burn out and improving efficiency.
4. PMaaS Can Help You Swerve the Employer NIC Hike And Other Costs
Are you considering pressing pause on your IT Projects because you are concerned about rising costs? Is the increase in Employer NICs a major concern? Are you hesitant to commit to full-time hires or contractors? PMaaS is the answer!
Stoneseed’s on-demand resource model, Project Manager as a Service (PMaaS) is a flexible solution that lets you scale IT project management resources up or down based on your delivery needs, giving you greater cost control and flexibility.
How PMaaS keeps your IT project budget under control:
No recruitment fees – Avoid costly hiring processes
No employer NI or pension contributions – All included
No bench-time costs – Only pay for the days worked
No IR35 headaches – Fully compliant and risk-free
5. Your Outdated / Archaic Tech May Be Already Costing You
In January 2025, a new government report claimed that archaic tech meant that the public sector was missing out on £45 billion annual savings.
The Government has pledged to use “digital tools, AI and common sense to overhaul public sector technology – so it saves money”.
The truth is that most companies are haemorrhaging money too because they are running legacy systems and old technology. If you really want to cut costs … cut waste!
6. Customer Expectations Are Higher Than Ever
Consumers expect flawless digital experiences.
If your IT can’t keep up, you’ll lose customers to competitors who are pushing forward and investing in tech and better background processes.
7. The Market is Changing FAST But Can You Keep Up?
Economic shifts, new regulations, constantly evolving consumer habits … businesses need to be agile more than ever.
Without modern IT, you’ll struggle to pivot when the market next demands it.
8. Scalability Issues May Hold You Back
In a recent Deloitte survey, over half of CEOs (57%) plan to find opportunities for growth by embedding new technologies in their business model, frankly, you need to as well!
Outdated IT can’t support business growth. Investing now ensures you can scale without costly system failures or “just-in-time” emergency upgrades. In recent years, we’ve visited new clients to discover internal networks running outdated client-server applications on a Windows machine, older versions of Microsoft Office (I know of one company still running Office 97), proprietary CRM systems that are on their last legs, out-of-date unsupported software, obsolete systems that belong in a museum … I won’t go on! You can get by in an abundant market with archaic tech, just about, but to expect growth when times are tough – forget it! Your tech needs to be in the cloud – not your head!
9. Data-Driven Decisions Lead To Smarter Business Moves
The right IT systems provide real-time analytics and insights, helping you make informed, strategic decisions even (and especially) in uncertain times.
It’s not just systems – Business Analysts are game changing in lean times! Now, I understand that adding a BA to your headcount may not feel like a viable option, even though the advantages of doing so are clear and the most one-sided cost/benefit analysis you’ll probably ever see! You don’t have to hire a full-time BA to feel the benefit, with Stoneseed’s Business Analysis as a Service (BAaaS) BA expertise and resources are available on tap – no need to commit to a full-time hire or contractors!
As my evangelical BA friend Sally says, “BAs don’t cost you money, they save you money and they make it too”.
10. There Could Even Be Financial Support Available
Tax reliefs, grants, and financing options exist to help businesses invest in IT. You could be missing out on valuable support and business incentives. One client regularly checks the government’s innovation funding service and other resources to be up to date with what financial help is available, a public sector CIO I know is proactively always on the look-out for local and central government for “pots of money” and networks with, as she puts it, “purse-string-guardians”, a CEO of a charity is the queen of creative thinking, and recently funded a transformational CRM system by tweaking the application to match grant criteria and strategic need. The membership community for charities, voluntary organisations and community groups in England, NVCO, has some great information resources, if that’s your sector.
The current Government has a “growth” agenda – watch out for opportunities that could be turned to your advantage.
Finally, Stoneseed understands your current financial pressures. PMaaS helps you manage costs effectively by eliminating recruitment expenses, the cost of benched talent, and IR35 risks. Our straightforward pay-as-you-use model means you only pay for the resources you consume—no full-time salary commitments, no fixed contracts. Scale up or down based on your project needs, ensuring you never overspend on underutilised resources.
MY FINAL THOUGHTS …
Many managing directors mistakenly perceive IT as a mere operational expense rather than a vital strategic investment.
Without a well-defined IT strategy, businesses can often find themselves in a perpetually reactive mode – solving problems on the hoof, rather than planning their long-term success. This is a short-sighted approach that not only risks technological stagnation but financial stagnation too and increases the chances of compliance failures and hindered growth.
A Strategic IT Approach Matters Now More Than Ever
A forward-thinking IT strategy is crucial for sustainable business success, in good times but especially in this challenging season we are all navigating.
Viewing IT as a strategic asset, technology as a core driver of growth, not just a back-office function and cost centre could make or break your business. It doesn’t mean splurging on the latest gadgets every year or adding to your staff headcounts, you don’t need to be a tech expert to implement a strong IT strategy.
Collaborating with a strategic IT partner, like Stoneseed and our innovative PMaaS model, can help align technology with your business goals, ensuring safe passage through the current turbulence and a competitive future.
More about Project Management as a Service from Stoneseed
Sources
www.stoneseed.co.uk/project-management-as-a-service/
www2.deloitte.com/us/en/pages/chief-executive-officer/articles/ceo-survey.html
www.ncvo.org.uk/help-and-guidance/digital-technology/funding-digital-and-technology-costs/
https://apply-for-innovation-funding.service.gov.uk/competition/search
www.gov.uk/government/news/archaic-tech-sees-public-sector-miss-45-billion-annual-savings
