Ottawatechjobs Archives - Wayne Tierney

Illustration showing IT systems connected behind the scenes, symbolizing how IT supports uptime, productivity, and business growth. — IT keeps everything running in the background—even when no one notices.

In many companies—especially small businesses—small business IT support is treated like a cost center, something that doesn’t directly generate revenue. But anyone who’s worked in IT knows that nothing could be further from the truth.

Yes, IT may not be selling a product or closing deals. We’re not out there writing invoices or directly bringing in revenue. But what IT does is enable everything and everyone else to do those things.

And without that behind-the-scenes work, the revenue-generating teams don’t generate much of anything.

Uptime is revenue. Reliability is revenue.

Think about what happens when:

The website goes down for an hour.
Email stops syncing.
A server stalls during payroll.
A shared folder stops cooperating.
A VPN glitch locks field teams out of their tools.

None of those things “sell” anything.
But every one of them kills productivity, kills trust, and in many cases kills revenue faster than anything else.

A recent CompTIA IT Industry Outlook report shows that small businesses lose significant revenue every year due to downtime and preventable IT failures.

IT’s job is to make these invisible systems work so well that people forget how much depends on them.

How Small Business IT Support Helps the People Who Create Revenue

Sales can’t close deals without:

functioning CRM
working phones and email
properly set-up devices
secure access to files
a website that loads in under a second
forms that actually submit
software that doesn’t freeze mid-demo

The office can’t bill clients without:

servers that stay online
solid backups
stable networks
reliable data systems

Operations can’t operate without:

secure remote access
software that works in the field
devices configured correctly
credentials managed properly

IT is indirect revenue because it ensures every other team can perform at full speed.

Why Security Matters in Small Business IT Support

One security breach can cost more:

in downtime
in ransom
in legal fees
in PR damage
in lost trust

…than an entire IT department costs for multiple years.

A good IT person prevents disasters the business never even knew were coming.
And ironically, when IT does its job perfectly — nothing happens.
No drama. No breach. No outage.
Just smooth sailing.

The website is a salesperson that works 24/7

Even for small businesses, your website is often the first impression.
IT builds it, maintains it, optimizes it, and keeps it online.
A website brings in:

leads
customers
credibility
brand recognition

But none of that happens without the quiet IT work underneath it.

Efficiency = profit

Good IT:

reduces wasted time
automates tasks
simplifies processes
cuts repetitive headaches
fixes bottlenecks
prevents errors
speeds everything up

Every hour an employee doesn’t waste fighting technology is an hour they can put toward work that actually matters.

Multiply that across a year?
That is revenue.

How Small Business IT Support Drives Revenue Indirectly

Small business IT support isn’t usually thought of as a revenue driver, but it quietly keeps the entire machine running. When systems stay online, files sync properly, devices behave, and security issues never reach the surface, teams get to focus on the work that actually earns money. Reliable IT reduces downtime, prevents costly mistakes, and keeps operations flowing smoothly — all without drawing attention to itself. And while it may not show up on a monthly sales report, its impact is seen in every efficient process and every hour saved.

IT is the backbone, not the backroom

The truth is simple:

IT doesn’t just support the business — IT enables the business.

It keeps things running, keeps people productive, keeps data safe, keeps money flowing, and keeps customers connected.

It may not always get the spotlight, but without it, the show doesn’t go on.

And if you’re a small business that feels this gap — whether it’s unreliable systems, no real IT strategy, or simply needing someone to keep things steady in the background — I quietly do this work for a living.
I’m not looking to take on a huge roster, but I may open space for one or two more companies who want the peace of mind that comes from having their tech handled properly.
If that kind of support would make your life easier, reach out. No pressure — just a conversation.

If you ever need help with your small business IT support, feel free to reach out through my contact page.

With over 23 years in the IT industry, you’d think landing a job would be the least of my concerns. My resume tells a solid story—helpdesk beginnings, systems administration, IT security compliance, project leadership, and solution design. I’ve worked across multiple sectors, led teams, delivered results. And yet, here I am, asking a question that too many qualified professionals in Ottawa quietly ask themselves: Why is it so hard to find a job in this city?

I am Métis. I carry that identity with pride, but I also carry the weight of the systemic barriers that come with it. Ottawa is the capital of a country that publicly promotes inclusion and reconciliation. But behind closed HR doors, the reality often feels disconnected from those public values.

A Hidden Job Market That Stays Hidden

Ottawa’s job market, especially in tech and government, often functions more like a private club than a meritocracy. Networks matter more than skills. Internal hires, nepotism, and “known quantities” dominate the hiring landscape. If you’re not already in the system—or visibly connected to someone who is—it’s an uphill battle to even get an interview.

I’ve applied to positions where I meet or exceed every listed requirement, only to receive no acknowledgment at all. Not even a rejection—just silence. I know how to lead. I know how to build secure, scalable systems. But it seems unless I know someone on the inside, those applications fall into the void.

Indigenous Identity: A Checkbox or a Commitment?

There’s a painful irony in watching organizations tout their commitment to Indigenous inclusion while turning away experienced Indigenous professionals. I’ve seen roles labeled “Indigenous-focused” filled by non-Indigenous candidates. I’ve seen equity policies used as PR tools rather than actual hiring frameworks. At best, being Métis gets me a checkbox on a federal form. At worst, it raises silent questions: Will he fit in? Can we manage this hire politically?

It’s not enough to open the door a crack. If institutions want real Indigenous participation, they need to hire people with both the cultural identity and the technical expertise. Not one or the other.

Age and Experience: A Double-Edged Sword

Let’s be real, experience is great, but ageism is real. I’ve been in tech long enough to see trends come full circle. I’ve mentored people now running departments. But once you pass that invisible “mid-career” mark, some hiring managers stop seeing you as adaptable or current—even when you are. They assume you’re expensive, stuck in your ways, or not “hungry enough.”

None of that applies to me. I’m constantly learning. I’ve studied for cloud certifications like the AZ-900. I adapt fast and lead with empathy. Still, it feels like the market is always looking for a 25-year-old unicorn with 10 years of experience—someone who costs less and doesn’t ask hard questions.

So What Now?

I don’t have all the answers. I just know something isn’t working. If a city like Ottawa—full of policy professionals, diversity champions, and government funding—can’t make space for people like me, then what chance do others have?

This isn’t a call for charity. I don’t want to be hired because I’m Métis. I want to be hired because I’m good—and because being Métis brings added value, not extra baggage.

So I keep showing up. I keep applying. I keep putting my story out there, because maybe someone reading this is in a position to challenge the system from the inside. Maybe someone is hiring—not just to fill a role, but to build a better team. One that reflects the talent and truth of this country.

Until then, I’ll be here. Still skilled. Still Métis. Still waiting for Ottawa to catch up.

Why Is It So Hard to Find a Job in Ottawa? I Have the Skills. I’m Métis. I Just Don’t Get It.

Tag Archives: Ottawatechjobs

The Invisible Engine: Why IT Matters Even When It Doesn’t “Generate Revenue”