I think the concept of “auditing the auditor” is accepted by most business owners. Still, the actual practice of it is not. I am sure there are several reasons for that, including those who think it is a waste of time or money, those who believe it to be redundant, or those who feel they trust their existing auditing system, so why bother? Let’s look at a brief overview of how the “audit the auditor” practice got started. Then, we can provide a few reasons why you might want to reconsider your position if needed. 

The concept of “audit the auditor” has existed for centuries, primarily in financial and accounting contexts. Designed initially to review financial records and ensure their accuracy, over the centuries, the role of auditors has expanded dramatically to include a variety of compliance and performance evaluations. 

While there is no confirmed record of it, one assumes the first “audit the auditor” happened when a business owner or manager suspected the accuracy of the information being provided by responsible employees or providers. Over time, not only did “audit the auditor” become a more common practice, but regulatory reforms were introduced to improve the quality of audits. In the US, for example, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 was enacted in response to corporate scandals like Enron and WorldCom. 

Let’s discuss your business and why you might consider leveraging this powerful and enlightening tool.  

• TRUST: Let’s say you already have a tech/telecom management service that monitors the myriad of costs related to those services for your business. And they have saved your business money. Why would you even consider auditing their work? Two key reasons: to either prove they are, in fact, doing a great job or perhaps to discover they’re not. Both are good things to know, right? If they are effective and know their stuff, they should welcome an audit, knowing it will confirm that. If they aren’t, it’s time for a change. The audit will provide the information you need. 
• SAVING MONEY: If, in the above scenario, it is discovered your current providers (in-house or outsourced) are not doing a good job, you stand to save money by using a higher-quality provider. 
• CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT: When it comes to auditing tech and telecom costs, part of the service should also include optimizing those services. Making sure you’re getting the lowest price is excellent, as it ensures your business is not overpaying for services, but a professional TEM service provider will also ensure you’re getting the best level of tech or telecom service possible for the expense. 
• BUDGETING & FORECASTING: If your business relies on information generated by your current TEM service provider to plan budgets, forecast needs etc., you want to ensure you’re using the most accurate and up-to-date costs.
• DETECT FRAUD / MISCONDUCT: While chances are not great that an outsourced TEM service provider is in cahoots with any of your tech or telecom service providers, it could happen. It is more likely to occur if you rely on in-house auditors. Enough said on this topic. 

We have found that organizations with multiple locations geographically disbursed are the most likely to benefit from an “audit the auditor” process. Within those organizations, using in-house staff or outsourced services, the complexity of managing not only tech but also telecom and utility costs region-to-region can be a huge undertaking. Having an auditor with familiarity, region to region, with prices, practices, tariffs, taxes, and more can go a long way to ensure your business is paying the right amount. There is no reason not to consider an audit, especially when you learn that Inverse Technology provides a complimentary assessment that can tell you quickly if you’re overpaying. Call us at 800-854-2444 to schedule a consultation, or go online to learn more at https://inversetech.com/services/auditing-services/

Even small businesses can leverage tech tools to ensure they can more effectively compete with “the big guys.” Here are a few that will help your business project a professional image while improving your productivity at the same time. 

Professional Email:  This is an easy fix. Use a custom domain email address instead of a generic and free email service. 

Website: Building a professional website is easier than it used to be. For example, you don’t need to know coding to work in WordPress. There are several low-cost web hosting services like Bluehost, SiteGround or HostGator. 

Virtual Phone System: You know the old saying, “You don’t get a second chance to make a first impression.” Make sure your phone system has all the bells and whistles like call forwarding, voicemail, and automatic greeting. 

Ditching the POT’s Line:  If you still have a “plain old telephone” landline, it’s time to move on to a VoIP phone system that offers more features and usually for considerably less than you’re paying right now. 

Move to the Cloud: You can take advantage of low-cost cloud-based office suites like Google Workspace or Microsoft 365. You never have to worry about buying new software. 

E-commerce Platforms: If you want to sell online, explore tools like Shopify, WooCommerce (for WordPress), and BigCommerce are available to help you set up and manage your online store.

Security:  Most of today’s cyber threats focus on small businesses. There is a reason for that. The assumption, usually correct, is that a small business doesn’t have a full time IT staff monitoring and protecting the IT infrastructure. Being small does mean you are more vulnerable and that means one hack could devastate your business.  Explore your options for security – its worth your time and money and you can assure your customers you have taken the appropriate steps to protect their data. 

In addition to the above, affordable CRM (Customer Relationship Management) solutions are available to help you manage communications with customers. Take advantage of email marketing tools that are very affordable, like MailChimp or Constant Contact. 

If you want to elevate your business’ image in your industry, let us help you with the IT tools to ensure you have a seat at the table. Call us at 800-854-2444 or visit www.inversetech.com and schedule a consultation directly from our website.

FOC, or firm order commitment, refers to a contractual agreement between a telecommunications service provider (such as a phone company or an internet service provider) and a customer. 

This commitment outlines the specific terms and conditions under which the provider agrees to deliver and maintain telecommunication services to the customer.

So, let’s say you’re changing carriers or negotiating a new contract with your existing provider; what is usually included in the contract or firm order commitment?

1. Service Details: What’s included? Voice, data, and the internet? You should make sure it spells out features like bandwidth and speed. 
2. SLA (another acronym commonly used in telecommunications which stands for Service Level Agreements):  These agreements define the quality of service you can expect from the provider. Look for commitments related to uptime, reliability, and customer support response times. 
3. Term of Service: This is easy; how long will the contract last? 
4. Pricing and Payment Terms: Cost and frequency of billing/payments. Look for additional costs that are included such as one-time set-up fees or when late fees apply. 
5. Equipment and Installation: If you are purchasing or leasing equipment, make sure this section clarifies the details. 
6. Cancellation, Termination, and Renewal: It is often said any contract can be broken, and that’s probably true, but it often comes down to the cost of breaking it. Check this section out carefully. Do you have to put your cancellation or termination in writing a specific number of days before the end of the contract? If you want to terminate early, will you be charged the remaining months of the contract? Are there penalties? Is it an “evergreen” or “auto-renew” agreement that will automatically renew for another term unless you proactively cancel it? 
7. Privacy and Security: Information about how the provider handles your data and ensures the security of the services.
8. Legal and Regulatory Compliance: Ensuring that the services provided adhere to relevant laws and regulations in the telecommunications industry.

Telecom contracts are similar to many others in the business world, but many unfamiliar terms can be involved. Providers often want to dazzle prospects with great deals for the first year of the contract leaving customers to discover significant cost increases during subsequent but still contracted years. 

Switching telecom carriers or re-negotiating with your current provider can be complicated. Indeed, they’ll not tell you about their competitor’s better offers or services. It’s best to work with experts who live and breathe telecom daily. We can help ensure you partner with the suitable carrier and level of service for your business. Call us at 800-854-2444 or visit www.inversetech.com, and we’ll be happy to help.