ITIL & Its 5 Benefits for Small Business
Interviewers often ask candidates aspiring for a promising career in IT – “Are you aware of the best industry practices for IT services?”
To be confident enough to say “Yes” to this question, you must know the nitty-gritty of ITIL. These candidates should also preferably possess the right qualifications from the information systems audit and control association.
What is ITIL, you ask?
The ITIL stands for Information Technology Infrastructure Library. The name is self-explanatory – ITIL is a library framework designed to lay down the standard methods/techniques for the selection, planning, maintenance, and delivery of IT services in a business setting.
The ITIL was developed by the British government’s Central Computer and Telecommunications Agency (CCTA) way back in the 1980s. Originally, ITIL was released as a series of books (over 30 books) that were developed and published over time, codifying the best practices in IT.
After years of modification, alteration, and upgrade, ITIL is now a collection of five books (Service Strategy; Service Design; Service Transition; Service Operation; and Continual Service) that cover the different stages and processes involved in the IT lifecycle services. Today, ITIL is owned by AXELOS.
Although it focuses on IT services, ITIL compiles and describes the best processes, procedures, techniques, and tasks that are neither organization-specific nor technology-specific. Any organization can leverage and employ these practices to create efficient strategies, deliver value-based services, and maintain a certain degree of competency.
AXELOS maintains that when used correctly, ITIL’s systematic approach to IT service management can help businesses become more efficient, invest in cost-effective practices, manage and mitigate risks, fortify customer-brand relation, and design stable IT systems/environments that encourage both growth and change.
ITIL has now become a globally-renowned phenomenon with ITIL Foundation Certification becoming a favorite of IT aspirants around the world.
How can ITIL Benefit Small Businesses?
An IT organization can declare itself as well-run and efficient only when it can effectively mitigate and manage business risks and minimize the operational costs while simultaneously allowing its employees to enhance their productivity. ITIL makes all this possible. Big names like Microsoft, IBM, Disney, Procter & Gamble, and Visa, all swear by ITIL and have witnessed its benefits firsthand.
However, ITIL isn’t limited to just big corporations. Small businesses, too, face the same bottlenecks as faced by large organizations – the only thing that differs is the magnitude and complexity of the problems. Hence, even small businesses can receive the benefits of ITIL.
The major benefits of ITIL for business (any business, be it big or small), include:
- Cost-optimization
- Enhanced customer satisfaction
- Improved productivity of employees
- Optimal use of skills and experience
- Better delivery of third-party services in services procurement
Since ITIL offers a standard set of governing norms or practices, it becomes easier for organizations to meet their customer expectations while simultaneously monitoring and rectifying incidents.
Why Should You Opt for an ITIL Certification?
ITIL is a globally accredited framework that organizations and companies can use to both demonstrate compliance and track the improvement in the delivery of their IT and IT-related services. And although ITIL is mainly concerned with the IT industry, it also includes Service Management. Hence, the benefits of an ITIL certification aren’t limited only to IT, but also a diverse range of industries.
Some benefits of ITIL certification are:
#1 Upskill and enhance your skillset
ITIL certification is segmented into five levels –
- ITIL Foundation course
- ITIL Practitioner course
- ITIL Intermediate course
- ITIL Expert course
- ITIL Master course
Since these tier-level ITIL certifications specialize in different areas, they help you gain in-depth knowledge of various IT practices, concepts, terminologies, and so on. As a result, your skillset gets upgraded, and you become qualified enough to wear many hats simultaneously.
#2 Find opportunities to earn higher salaries
ITIL holds the status of being one of Techopedia’s highest-paying IT certifications. If you obtain an ITIL certification, you will receive an array of well-paying job opportunities. Companies pay handsome salaries to ITIL certified IT Architects, Program Managers, Software Engineers, etc.
#3 Stand out among the crowd
Certifications are a fantastic way to differentiate yourself from a crowd of equally-qualified candidates. And with an advanced certification like ITIL, your chances of standing out among the crowd increases to a great extent. An ITIL certification is a mark of excellence and knowledge about the best industry practices in IT and related services. So, employers will always prefer you over the next candidate who doesn’t hold an ITIL certification.
#4 Stay updated with the latest technologies and industry trends
Ever since its inception, ITIL has come a long way to compile an exhaustive list of best IT practices. This list wasn’t made in a day. It took years to give shape to ITIL – it is the result of constant updating and inclusion of the latest industry and technological trends. Even today, AXELOS continues to update the certification courses to keep up with the changing times. So, rest assured, an ITIL certification will ensure that you are updated and aware of the latest trends and best practices in the industry.
#5 Find application in almost every industry
Today, almost every industry uses and is dependent on IT services, at least to some extent. IT services are used in e-commerce, retail, manufacturing, healthcare, and education, to name a few. Wherever there is IT and Services Management, an ITIL certified professional will always find scope for employment and growth.
To conclude, an ITIL certification course can be your ticket to success and growth in this competitive job market. It can be your distinguishing mark – something that will tell potential employers how capable and competent you are!
