How Trusted IT Partnerships Keep Your Business Running Smoothly

A great fractional CFO doesn’t just manage the numbers — they connect you with the right people to solve your biggest business challenges. That’s exactly why I host these expert network conversations: to introduce you to trusted specialists I recommend to my own clients.

In this episode, I sat down with Brian Rodgers, founder and CEO of ACO Technologies, to talk about how proactive IT strategy and cybersecurity can give growing businesses a real competitive edge. With over 20 years in corporate IT leadership before launching his own firm, Brian has seen firsthand how the right tech partner can keep your business running without a hitch.

If you want the full discussion, including plenty of stories and examples we couldn’t fit here, you can watch the video below.

From Corporate IT to Serving SMBs: Brian’s Journey

Behind every strong business partner is a story about how they got here — and in Brian’s case, it started with walking away from the corporate ladder to build something better.

Why leaving the corporate world made sense

After two decades in corporate IT — including helping a company scale to an S&P 500 listing — Brian saw how often IT departments were treated as obstacles rather than allies. He wanted to change the narrative by working with companies that wanted help and valued collaboration.

Building a business focused on helping clients, not just “managing” technology

With ACO Technologies, Brian built a model where clients invite him in to solve real problems. His team focuses on improving productivity and security, not just enforcing restrictive rules or patching emergencies after the fact. The goal: IT that empowers rather than frustrates.

How IT and Cybersecurity Become a Competitive Advantage

Many business owners think of IT as “the thing that keeps the Wi-Fi on.” But when done right, it can give you faster turnaround times, stronger client trust, and a significant edge over competitors.

Making IT support invisible — and why that’s a good thing

If your team isn’t constantly calling IT, it means your systems are stable. Brian’s team quietly resolves hundreds of behind-the-scenes issues each year — security patches, performance tuning, and network monitoring — so his clients can focus on growth instead of troubleshooting.

Measuring downtime in dollars: The real cost of disruptions

Every minute your systems are down is money out the door. Brian recommends calculating your “recovery time objective” (RTO) — how quickly you need to restore operations — so you can choose the right backup and continuity strategies to match your actual financial risk.

Preparing for the Unexpected: Business Continuity Lessons

Disasters don’t always look like blockbuster movie scenes. Sometimes it’s a storm that knocks out internet for hours, or a power outage that takes a remote team offline. A solid continuity plan means you can keep serving clients no matter what happens.

Risk assessment and incident response planning

Brian starts by mapping out possible disruptions, then ranks them by severity and likelihood. A tornado might be rare but devastating, while an internet outage might be more likely and just as disruptive in the short term. This exercise helps leaders prioritize resources and create a clear incident response plan.

Why layers of protection matter more than “one big fix”

There’s no single “magic” solution to keep a business running through any scenario. Brian recommends multiple backup systems — from data storage to redundant power and internet — so if one safeguard fails, another can step in instantly.

Starlink as a backup internet solution

Satellite internet has evolved dramatically. Starlink offers high-speed, low-latency service that works in remote areas and withstands snow or heavy rain. While it may be more expensive than a traditional connection, it can serve as an invaluable backup to keep operations moving during outages.

The AI Opportunity — and Security Risks You Can’t Ignore

AI is on every business owner’s radar — but jumping in without a plan can lead to wasted time or worse, data exposure.

Start with your business problem, not the tool

Rather than asking “How can I use AI?”, Brian advises identifying a specific process you want to improve — like client reporting, lead qualification, or customer service — and then finding an AI tool to fit. This ensures you adopt technology with a measurable ROI.

Data privacy concerns when using AI tools

Not all AI platforms handle your data responsibly. Anything you input could become part of a public dataset. That means you should never paste in unredacted financials, client names, or proprietary information.

Using AI responsibly without missing out on its benefits

Brian cautions against avoiding AI entirely out of fear. The smarter approach is to learn safe usage habits — like anonymizing data and using secure accounts — so you can benefit from the efficiency gains without exposing sensitive information.

Why Knowing Your Numbers Changes Everything

Just as your IT systems are the backbone of daily operations, your financial numbers are the backbone of strategic decision-making.

Brian’s perspective on fractional CFO value

Before working with a fractional CFO, Brian admits he was often “playing defense,” reacting to financial issues as they came up. Having a CFO’s guidance gave him clarity, reduced stress, and allowed him to plan for growth rather than just manage emergencies.

Financial vs. operational accounting — and why you need both

Financial accounting tells the story of your business at a high level, while operational accounting dives into the day-to-day details that influence hiring, pricing, and investment decisions. Together, they create a complete picture that helps leaders make smarter, faster decisions.

A Personal Touch: Wagyu Beef and Family Business

Every expert in Shane’s network has a human side — and Brian’s involves raising high-quality Wagyu cattle with his family.

Why raising cattle is a passion project

What began as a few cows for personal use evolved into a small-scale premium beef business. For Brian, it’s a way to connect with his family, his land, and the satisfaction of producing something exceptional.

Quality control, whether in IT or on the ranch

Whether securing a network or perfecting a cut of steak, Brian applies the same principle: start with the best inputs, maintain high standards, and never cut corners. It’s a mindset that serves his clients — and his dinner table — equally well.

Key Takeaways for Agencies and B2B SMB Leaders

The conversation with Brian offered clear lessons any business leader can apply:

• Proactive IT isn’t a luxury — it’s a competitive necessity.
• Business continuity planning protects revenue, reputation, and client trust.
• AI can accelerate your growth if you match the tool to the problem and guard your data.
• A fractional CFO doesn’t just manage finances — they bring you into a network of trusted experts who can strengthen every part of your business.

If you want more than just “someone to do the books” — if you want a strategic financial partner who brings connections to vetted specialists like Brian — Bender CFO Services is here to help.

Book your consultation today and see how the right financial leadership — backed by a network of experts — can accelerate your business growth.