By Kelsey Beauchamp
Serving small businesses across ND, MN & SD
While many people use January to reset their health habits, it's also a perfect time to take a hard look at your business’s tech habits—especially if you're running a small business in Fargo, Grand Forks, Bismarck, Sioux Falls, or anywhere across North Dakota, South Dakota, or Minnesota.
At Information Management Systems (IMS), we work with dozens of local businesses that are smart, capable, and driven—but still stuck in risky or inefficient tech routines. That stops now.
Here are six tech habits that are quietly hurting your business—and how to break them for good.
1. Clicking “Remind Me Later” on Software Updates
We know it’s inconvenient. But skipping updates opens your business up to serious security risks—especially with ransomware and phishing attacks on the rise in our region.
Just one missed patch can be the open door a hacker needs. Remember the WannaCry ransomware attack? It cost businesses billions—all because of a delayed update.
Fix it: Schedule updates after business hours or have your IT provider (like IMS) handle them behind the scenes. No disruption. No danger.
2. Using One Password for Everything
If you’re reusing passwords across accounts—banking, email, payroll—you’re vulnerable. One data breach (even from a site you barely use) gives attackers the keys to everything.
Fix it: Use a password manager like LastPass or Bitwarden. It creates and stores secure, unique passwords for every account. You only need to remember one.
3. Sharing Passwords Over Email or Text
Sending login info via email or Slack is like mailing your house key on a postcard. If someone’s inbox is hacked, your entire company’s credentials could be exposed.
Fix it: Use secure sharing tools inside your password manager. They let you share access without revealing the actual password—and you can revoke access anytime.
4. Giving Everyone Admin Access
It may be "easier" in the short term, but giving employees full admin rights can lead to big problems—from accidental deletions to massive ransomware infections.
Fix it: Follow the principle of least privilege. Every user gets only the access they need. It protects your data, your business, and your peace of mind.
5. Relying on Temporary Fixes (That Never Got Fixed)
Quick workarounds become permanent bad habits. Over time, they slow your team down, confuse new hires, and break the moment something changes.
Fix it: Let IMS help you identify and eliminate those hidden inefficiencies. A small change can save your team hours every week.
6. Running Your Business from One Spreadsheet
One Excel file. Twelve tabs. Nobody fully understands it—and it’s your single point of failure. If that file goes corrupt, you’re in trouble.
Fix it: Use proper business tools: CRM systems, inventory platforms, scheduling software—solutions with backups, access control, and real support. We can help you transition safely and affordably.
Why Local Businesses in North Dakota, Minnesota & South Dakota Trust IMS
We work with small businesses in Fargo, Moorhead, Grand Forks, Sioux Falls, Bismarck, and beyond. They choose us because we make IT simple, fast, and frustration-free.
You don’t need to be a tech expert. You just need a partner who:
✅ Responds fast—same-day support, even after hours
✅ Is easy to work with—no finger-pointing or jargon
✅ Fixes things before they break
✅ Makes sure your team is protected, productive, and confident
✅ Supports everything from Wi-Fi and servers to VoIP phones and security cameras
How to Actually Break These Habits—for Good
Tech habits won’t change with wishful thinking. They change when the system does.
That’s what IMS does. We make the right way the easy way by:
✔ Rolling out password managers company-wide
✔ Pushing updates automatically
✔ Managing user access for security
✔ Replacing fragile workarounds
✔ Moving mission-critical data off risky spreadsheets
The result? A cleaner, safer, faster, and more profitable business—without the stress.
Book Your Free 15-Minute Bad Tech Habit Audit
Let’s identify what’s holding your team back—and give you a clear roadmap to fix it.
No judgment. No tech-speak. Just real solutions.
📞 Call (701) 364-2718
🌐 Schedule Online
📍 Serving businesses across ND, SD & MN
FAQ: Tech Habits & Small/Medium Business IT Support
1. Why do updates matter so much for small/medium businesses?
Software updates often include patches for known vulnerabilities. Delaying them leaves your business exposed to cyber threats that are actively being exploited.
2. What’s the risk of using the same password for everything?
If one account is compromised, attackers can access every other system where you’ve reused that password—email, banking, payroll, and more.
3. Why shouldn’t I share passwords via email or Slack?
These messages can be stored, forwarded, or hacked—giving attackers long-term access to your systems.
4. What’s wrong with using a spreadsheet to run my business?
Spreadsheets don’t have built-in backups, access controls, or scalability. They’re great for calculations—not for managing core operations.
5. What does a “Bad Habit Audit” include?
We’ll spend 15 minutes identifying your current risks, bottlenecks, or inefficiencies—and map out simple, cost-effective ways to fix them.
