The Problem: Why Tech Advice Gets Complicated

1. Too Much Jargon
Tech people love their words. “Cloud computing,” “AI,” “blockchain,” “synergy,” “scalable solutions”—the list goes on. These terms mean something to experts, but to a business owner, they can sound like a foreign language. When advice is full of jargon, it’s hard to understand what’s being offered or why it matters to your business.

2. Focus on Features, Not Solutions
Many tech advisors talk about what a product does instead of what it solves. They’ll list features like “real-time analytics” or “multi-threaded processing” without explaining how these features help your specific business problem. You don’t care about the engine; you care if the car gets you where you need to go.

3. Over-Complication of Simple Problems
Sometimes, a simple problem gets a complex tech solution. You might need a better way to track sales, and someone suggests a massive, expensive system that does far more than you need. This happens when advisors try to sell the biggest solution, not the right one.

4. The “Bleeding Edge” Obsession
Some tech advisors are obsessed with the newest, most advanced technology. They push for “bleeding edge” solutions, even if they’re unproven, expensive, or not a good fit for your business size or needs. New isn’t always better, especially if it means more risk or higher costs.

5. Lack of Business Understanding
Many tech experts understand technology deeply, but they don’t understand business. They might not grasp your budget limits, your customer base, or your long-term goals. If an advisor doesn’t understand your business, their tech advice might not fit your real-world needs.

6. Selling Products, Not Advice
Some “advisors” are really just salespeople. Their goal is to sell you a specific product or service, not to give you unbiased advice. This means their recommendations are driven by commissions or sales targets, not by what’s best for you.

7. Fear of Simplicity
Some advisors might think that if their advice is too simple, they won’t seem smart enough. They might feel pressured to use complex terms or suggest elaborate solutions to justify their fees. But true expertise often lies in making complex things simple.

What Simple Technology Advice Looks Like

Simple technology advice is:

• Clear: Easy to understand, without jargon.
• Direct: Gets straight to the point.
• Relevant: Focuses on your specific business problems and goals.
• Actionable: Tells you what steps to take.
• Practical: Offers solutions that fit your budget and resources.
• Honest: Doesn’t over-promise or push unnecessary solutions.

It’s about explaining why something matters to your business, not just what it is.

How to Get Simple, Practical Tech Advice

1. Look for Business-First Advisors
Find someone who asks about your business goals, your challenges, and your budget before they talk about technology. They should care about your bottom line, not just the latest gadgets.

2. Ask for Plain Language
If an advisor uses jargon, stop them and ask them to explain it in simple terms. If they can’t, or won’t, that’s a red flag. A good advisor can explain complex ideas clearly.

3. Focus on Problems, Not Products
When you talk to an advisor, start by explaining your business problem. For example, “Our sales team spends too much time on paperwork,” not “We need a CRM system.” Let them suggest the solution.

4. Demand Practical Solutions
Ask: “How will this help my business today?” and “What are the exact steps we need to take?” If the answer is vague or sounds like a massive overhaul, push for simpler options.

5. Get Second Opinions
Don’t jump into a big tech investment based on one person’s advice. Talk to a few different advisors. See who explains things most clearly and whose recommendations make the most sense for your business.

6. Prioritize Proven Solutions
For most businesses, reliable, proven technology is better than the “next big thing.” Look for solutions that are stable, widely supported, and have a track record of success.

7. Understand the “Why”
Before you agree to any tech solution, make sure you understand why it’s the right choice for your business. If you can’t explain it to someone else, you probably don’t understand it well enough yourself.

Real Stories: When Simple Advice Wins

Case 1: The Overwhelmed Small Business
A small retail business was struggling with inventory. A tech vendor suggested a complex, expensive enterprise resource planning (ERP) system. It was overkill. A different consultant suggested a simple cloud-based inventory app that cost a fraction of the price and did exactly what they needed. The simple solution won.

Lesson: The right solution isn’t always the biggest or most expensive.

Case 2: The Jargon Trap
A manufacturing company was told they needed “digital transformation” and “AI-driven predictive analytics.” The terms sounded impressive, but the business owner didn’t know what it meant for his factory floor. A new advisor explained that it meant using sensors to predict when machines might break down, saving money on repairs. Suddenly, it made sense.

Lesson: Good advice translates tech talk into business benefits.

Case 3: The Unnecessary Upgrade
A non-profit was advised to upgrade their entire server infrastructure to the latest version, costing tens of thousands. A review showed their current setup was stable and met their needs for the next few years. The “upgrade” was unnecessary. Simple advice saved them a lot of money.

Lesson: Sometimes, the best advice is to do nothing, or to do less.

Final Thoughts

Technology is a tool. Like any tool, it should make your work easier, not harder. Good technology advice helps you pick the right tools for your specific job. It cuts through the noise and gives you clear, practical steps.

Don’t let complex language or fancy promises confuse you. Demand simple, direct advice that focuses on your business needs. When you get that kind of advice, technology becomes a powerful asset, not a source of frustration.