Finding employees who possess both technical expertise and strong interpersonal skills is a rare but highly sought-after combination for business success. Mike Murphy, the CEO of Epoch IT Solutions, has spent years building his company, focusing not only on technical skills but also on the ability to connect with clients and colleagues. For Mike, the secret to success in tech is finding the right balance between these two skillsets.
The Search for the Right Talent
As Mike reflects on his experience in the industry, he shares how the tech landscape has shifted. “When I started in the early ’90s, it was all about pure technical expertise,” he says. “You didn’t need to talk to anyone, just solve technical problems. But over the years, the landscape changed. The ability to talk to people became just as important as knowing how to fix computers.” This shift has led to the growing challenge of finding employees who can balance both technical prowess and effective communication. “There’s nobody in the middle anymore,” Mike explains. “You need someone who can do the work and talk to people. That’s what we strive for at Epoch IT Solutions — employees who have both technical abilities and the ability to engage with clients and team members effectively.”
Mike acknowledges that finding such employees is a rare feat. “It’s a diamond in the rough,” he says, describing how these ideal employees often have a unique combination of technical skills and social savviness that allows them to thrive in client-facing roles. This combination is essential not just for the growth of the company but also for the tech industry as a whole.
Challenges in Employee Retention
Employee retention is a major concern for Mike and many tech entrepreneurs. “As a CEO, what keeps me up at night is employee retention and finding good technical employees,” Mike shares. “I grew up working purely technical jobs, but now, I need people who can manage client relationships, understand business needs, and still be able to solve technical problems. It’s a tough balance, and it’s even tougher to find people who can do both.” To retain the right employees, Mike emphasizes the importance of fostering a company culture that values both technical expertise and interpersonal skills. “You can’t do everything yourself. As your company grows, you need employees who can replicate your work and go beyond that,” he explains. “It’s all about creating an environment where people feel valued, and they see their work as an important part of the company’s success.”
One area where the combination of technical and interpersonal skills is particularly crucial is cybersecurity. With the increasing number of cyber threats, organizations are placing a larger emphasis on securing their networks and data. However, Mike points out that many companies still struggle with implementing comprehensive security measures. “We see a lot of businesses treating cybersecurity as an afterthought,” Mike says. “They buy the latest tools and patches, but they don’t integrate them into a broader strategy. The result? A patchwork of solutions that don’t address the core issues.”
To combat this, Mike works closely with clients to create holistic cybersecurity strategies that take into account both technical and organizational needs. “Cybersecurity is not just about tools and patches. It’s about understanding the organization’s workflow and how security integrates into that workflow,” he adds. “A successful cybersecurity strategy requires buy-in from the entire organization — not just the IT team.”
Adapting to Regulatory Challenges
Another significant challenge facing tech companies is the growing number of regulatory requirements. With increasing scrutiny on data privacy and security, compliance has become a major concern for businesses of all sizes. Mike’s clients, many of whom are in the restaurant and retail sectors, need to ensure they meet regulatory standards like PCI compliance.
“Staying up-to-date with all the changing regulations is one of the most difficult parts of managing IT systems,” Mike says. “We have a checklist for our clients, but the regulations are constantly changing, so it’s a never-ending task to keep up.”
Mike’s approach to managing these challenges is straightforward: he makes sure his team is consistently updated on the latest changes in regulations and security practices. “We have systems in place to monitor and track changes in regulations,” he explains. “That way, we can ensure our clients are always in compliance and protected from the latest security threats.”
Epoch IT Solutions has built a reputation for its personal, hands-on approach to IT services. “Our clients are typically smaller businesses, ranging from 10 to 250 employees,” Mike shares. “We focus on providing comprehensive IT support, from networking and cloud solutions to desktop support and cybersecurity.” What sets Epoch apart from larger managed service providers (MSPs) is its ability to offer personalized service without the bureaucratic red tape. “We don’t have a lot of meetings or project managers,” Mike says. “When we come in, we’re going to assist you with everything, from cybersecurity to setting up new systems. We’re very personal and hands-on with our clients.”
As Mike looks to the future, he continues to prioritize finding the right employees who can balance technical and interpersonal skills. “The key to growing a successful company in this space is having the right people,” he concludes. “You can’t do it alone, and having employees who can handle both the technical side of things and work well with clients is essential for success.”
Mike Murphy’s journey in tech and his approach to building a successful business underscores the importance of finding and retaining the right talent. As the industry continues to evolve, the ability to balance technical skills with strong interpersonal communication will remain a rare and valuable asset. Whether it’s providing cybersecurity solutions, navigating regulatory requirements, or offering hands-on IT support, Mike’s philosophy is clear: success comes from creating a company culture that values both technical excellence and strong relationships.
About Mike Murphy
IT CEO of Epoch IT Solutions. “I’ve spent my entire career in the IT field one way or another. From the moment I received a Commodore 64 in Christmas of 1987, I’ve been hooked on anything involving technology. This leads me from building and repairing computers to hooking up servers, connecting people with networks, cloud computing, and being a personable IT consultant.”
