The power of uncomplicated IT
Every new addition to the tech stack brings more layers of integration and support that land on IT’s shoulders. It doesn’t have to be this way.
Every new addition to the tech stack brings more layers of integration and support that land on IT’s shoulders. Each new system adds more security risks and technical debt.
It adds complexity.
In a column on Forbes.com, Freshworks CIO Ashwin Ballal highlights the “power of subtraction” in IT, making the case for IT simplification—not as a cost-cutting exercise, but as a way to improve employee experience, drive business outcomes, and create a more seamless systems landscape.
“Poor systems lead to poor employee experiences, which result in poor customer experiences,” Ballal writes. “Simplification isn’t just about doing more with less—it’s about doing the right things to drive measurable impact.”
To cut through the noise, Ballal recommends:
Practicing empathy by designing IT solutions that truly meet employees’ needs
Thinking like customers by being ‘customer zero’ and using products internally first
Aligning technology decisions with real business outcomes, not justifying tools for their own sake
Staying honest about trade-offs and prioritizing what delivers the greatest impact
“IT is complex, but it doesn’t have to be chaotic,” Ballal says. “By focusing on what truly matters, CIOs can turn their biggest challenges into their greatest opportunities.”
Check out the full article at Forbes.com.
