We’re all looking for ways to reduce costs. But how we do it is as important as getting it done.

On the home front, it’s easy to see why across-the-board cost cuts aren’t an option — the new car can be sacrificed, but paying your children’s tuitions remains a priority. Freezing all expenses at pre-crisis levels isn’t viable, either — budgets must be flexible enough to handle hikes in utility bills or insurance premiums.

The same holds true for IT budgets. Simply freezing or slashing budgets across the board can be done — but should it be done? For instance, if you cut your infrastructure staff without making provisions for dealing with their workload, you’ll find the business doesn’t have the support it needs to function cost-effectively.

Our advice is to prioritize. Make a list of what you’re behind on, should do, and would like to do. If you’re pressured to reduce headcount, re-allocate some of your budget for services that can replicate lost support.

And talk to your trusted technology partners about how they can help. You’ll be surprised at the options available for addressing both your capital and operating needs.