Ask any business leader what gives a company a competitive edge, and you’ll hear familiar answers: great leadership, a strong brand, customer service, or market positioning. But one factor rarely gets the attention it deserves—the strategic investment in the right tools.

For years, many business leaders viewed IT as just another expense—something necessary but not necessarily strategic. In reality, technology is one of the most powerful tools for business growth.

After 25 years in IT consulting, I’ve learned that technical skill alone isn’t what makes an IT team successful. The best IT teams aren’t just problem-solvers—they’re great communicators.

Technology drives business success, but poor adoption and management can waste resources. Here are five of the most common tech missteps and how to avoid them.