In today’s fast-paced and technology-driven world, an efficient and well-resourced team is crucial for the success of any organisation. As your business grows and evolves, you must assess whether your current tech team can handle the increasing demands and challenges of this new and unchartered territory.Granted, it’s not always easy to know when it’s the right time to invest in growing your team. Although, the one thing you can be sure of is that timing is everything. Go too soon, and you risk throwing your company into a space it’s ill-equipped to withstand. Go too late, and you risk missing the opportunity to ride an industry wave and capitalise on the next phase of growth born from it.Nevertheless, there are a few signs to look out for that suggest executing your growth strategy and expanding your tech team should be your next move.Backlog and Project Delivery DelaysIf your team is constantly overwhelmed with a high volume of work and struggling to meet deadlines, it’s time to expand. An excessive backlog not only hampers productivity but also leads to burnout and decreased morale amongst your existing team members, which will see them heading for the door.Backlogs and delays in project delivery are signs that your employees are stretched thin and lack the bandwidth to handle the workload effectively. Expanding your team can help distribute the load more evenly and improve project delivery timelines.Failure to address this issue may leave you with the more significant issue, increased employee turnover.Increased Employee TurnoverHigh employee turnover should raise concerns and prompt you to respond immediately. As you well know, losing talented team members because you fail to provide a rewarding and satisfying working environment is detrimental to your brand on many levels.Expanding your team can help alleviate the workload and demonstrates that you value your people. It also positions you to make room for professional development opportunities that will benefit your business and entice employees to stick around!Skill GapsTechnology is constantly evolving. New programming languages, frameworks and tools emerge regularly. If your team lacks the skills and expertise to leverage these advancements, it’s time for expansion. Hiring individuals with specialised knowledge can help your company remain competitive and current with the latest industry trends.Recognising the need for specific profiles is often the best indicator that it’s time to consider growing your team. For instance, an experienced individual can provide a significant advantage when venturing into a new niche. Additionally, assessing outsourced work is crucial.If you consistently rely on the services of a particular freelancer, it may be time to consider bringing them on as a full-time member of your business; this is particularly true for roles like developers and designers. These professionals alleviate your workload and create time for essential tasks but can contribute significantly to company growth.Missed OpportunitiesIf you’re missing out on market opportunities due to a lack of resources or expertise, this could be a significant red flag and a sign then you need to expand your tech team. A well-rounded and capable team allows you to seize opportunities quickly and capitalise on market trends.Equally, additional resources are needed if your team spends too much time on mundane or repetitive tasks. Expanding your team allows you to delegate routine tasks and free up your existing employees to focus on more strategic and high-value initiatives.Lack of Innovation within a Tech TeamA stagnant tech team with limited creative input can hinder your ability to innovate and develop new features or products. By bringing in fresh talent and diverse perspectives, you can foster a culture of innovation and drive your organisation forward.Lack of innovation in the tech industry comes with a significant cost. Without it, your company risks falling behind its competitors and potentially losing market share. You may also struggle to meet your customers changing needs and expectations, leading to decreased customer satisfaction and loyalty.Additionally, a lack of innovation can stall technological advancements and economic growth. Failure to innovate may mean missing out on new revenue streams, partnerships and opportunities for expansion. In the long run, the cost of not investing in innovation can be detrimental to the success and survival of your company.Scalability ChallengesAs your business expands, your tech infrastructure and systems must scale accordingly. If your current team is struggling to keep up with the growing demands, investing in additional resources will ensure your tech infrastructure remains robust and scalable.If your industry is in a growth phase, this is especially critical. Seizing the opportunity to hire new employees is crucial. This approach may require a significant investment upfront but leads to a real competitive advantage.Additionally, if you anticipate emerging opportunities, consider recruiting less experienced individuals you can train. Although the process may be challenging, it is the most effective way to ensure that your employees align with your desired approaches. Over time, they may grow into invaluable leaders within your company.The Ledger Says, Yes!Of course, this is the most comforting of all the signs! If your business is progressing well and you find the bottom line increasing nicely, you are at a point where you can afford the extra help and can begin recruiting with confidence; this is an enviable position to find yourself in, so don’t forget to celebrate the milestone!As a leading New Zealand recruitment agency, we know that sometimes finding the courage to execute your growth strategy comes from receiving expert and objective advice.Sourced specialises in IT recruitment. We work exclusively in support of developing and maintaining effective IT and Technology functions within businesses. If growth is in your immediate forecast, we can support you in achieving it.Contact our team today.
