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When Your “Side Job” as IT Becomes a Hidden Cost

A family-owned manufacturing company in Wisconsin had a bookkeeper named Mark who “knew his way around computers.” Over time, small requests piled onto his plate: updating antivirus software, buying new laptops, fixing printers, handling password resets, even calling the internet provider when the connection failed. What started as the occasional favor became part of his daily duties. The hidden problem: Mark’s real job was bookkeeping, not technology management. This situation illustrates the hidden cost of small business IT. His divided focus meant deadlines slipped, stress increased, and leadership overlooked the true cost of his time. The hidden cost of small business IT was more apparent than ever.

Why Wearing the IT Hat Derails Time Management

The myth many small businesses fall into is believing that a handy employee can “just take care of IT” faster or cheaper than hiring outside expertise. In reality, distractions compound like hidden costs in small business IT. According to Quantive, 77% of companies in 2025 were either using or exploring AI solutions. With tech growing more complex, the chance that a bookkeeper, marketer, or business owner can handle IT alongside their core role becomes almost impossible. Every password reset and troubleshooting call chips away at time management, pulling employees from work that directly grows revenue. The hidden cost of small business IT becomes clear with every task interrupted.

The ROI on Your Time Isn’t Adding Up

Mark spent an average of six hours per week on IT interruptions. That’s nearly 300 non-revenue hours a year, equivalent to more than a month of lost productivity. If Mark’s bookkeeping contribution was conservatively valued at $50 an hour, the company effectively spent $15,000 annually by letting him dabble as part-time IT. Compare this to a managed service provider where SMBs often gain enterprise security tools, strategic guidance, and reliable IT support for far less. When framed as ROI on your time, keeping IT “in-house” with untrained staff is one of the most expensive decisions small businesses make due to the hidden cost of small business IT.

The Speed of Technology Outpaces Hobby IT Support

In addition to lost time, the pace of change in technology creates new risks for businesses relying on untrained staff. Folio3 reported that the global data analytics market grew from $50.04 billion in 2024 to $64.75 billion in 2025. That scale of growth requires true IT knowledge to navigate. Understanding how the small business IT hidden costs can escalate is crucial. Stanford’s Human-Centered AI group noted that nearly 90% of notable AI models came from industry in 2024, up from 60% the year before. These rapid shifts translate into more security concerns, compliance demands, and integration challenges than amateurs can track, no matter how enthusiastic.

A Smarter Approach for Small Business Leaders

In the end, Mark’s company made a change. They shifted to a managed IT service that relieved staff of technical burdens entirely. Mark’s bookkeeping output rebounded, the business met tax deadlines consistently, and leadership could forecast expenses without IT surprises. For small business leaders, the key decision isn’t whether your marketing coordinator can install a printer. It’s whether your organization values revenue-driving contributions over hidden costs. If time is your scarcest resource, how you spend it determines growth. Recognizing the hidden cost of small business IT is crucial for success.

Platinum Systems | Proactive Managed IT Services & Cybersecurity Experts - Kenosha, Wisconsin
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