Chris started IT Insights to help as many companies as possible adapt to an ever-changing tech landscape. He understands that people expect nothing less than seamless, reliable, and integrated technology solutions. Chris believes continuous improvement is critical and has put together a team that shares this belief.
We sat down with Chris and asked him a few questions we thought our clients and partners would like to know:
Q: How did you get to where you are today in your career?
A: I have 10 plus years of experience in the IT sector. I started my career by studying Information Technology at RIT, and then took a job at a local managed services company, which started as a co-op. I then worked my way up to system engineer, spending six years with the organization. I cofounded my first managed service company in 2016, and then left to start IT Insights in 2019. In my years of experience, I’ve learned a number of important tools and systems.
Q: How do you stay updated with the ever-evolving technology landscape?
A: Tech-focused news feeds. I’m always reading about new tools, new happenings, things to be aware of. If I get an email about a utility that appears to cover a gap we have, or seems to do something we do better, I’ll happily spend 30 minutes figuring out if that’s true.
Q: What is your favorite tech tool or trend you’d recommend to everyone?
A: Probably knowing a plethora of keyboard shortcuts (always trying to learn new ones) – sizing and moving windows to view multiple items; opening applications without having to pause midstream to move a mouse; or to head to the desktop – helps keeps things flowing and moving.
Q: What’s your go-to tech gadget or app that you can’t live without?
A: My reMarkable. I have a rule that I try to adhere to where I won’t put my reMarkable in a bag – it has to stay in my hands. It’s helped me immensely in keeping track of my ever growing, never ending to-do list, and ability to write down things when I think of them, instead of trying to remember later.
Q: What’s your approach when advising clients on technological solutions?
A: Technology should work for you, not the other way around. Talking through options to make sure the technology fits their needs, and helping them to possibly figure out what those needs are in the fist place, can help ensure you’re not spending hours being managed by your technology.
Q: What is your favorite part of the job?
A: My favorite piece of the job is the customer – helping them to identify the problem they didn’t know they had, and helping them grow the business through IT improvements. I love helping people and like to help them with their problems to make their lives better.
Q: If you weren’t working in IT, what alternative career path would you have pursued?
A: Possibly something in the culinary world or some other service. One of my favorite hobbies is cooking, and one of the main reasons I really enjoy technology is the ability to help people.
Q: What do you do in your free time?
A: In my free time, I enjoy video games, racket sports, cooking, and my two cats.
Q: What is your top memory as an entrepreneur?
A: The first year we passed $1,000,000 in revenue. Being able to share that with the team that has helped build IT Insights was very exciting. That was a big milestone, and seeing and sharing everyone’s excitement in that moment is one that I’ll carry with me. At least until the next big one!
Q: Any closing words or advice?
A: Don’t take life too seriously. Every mistake that you make is a learning opportunity.
