Unlocking Business Success: How IT Drives Efficiency and Growth with Sharon Gordon

Do you remember your first day of school? The mix of excitement and fear, the crisp new outfit, and the daunting feeling of stepping into a world you didn’t understand. For many entrepreneurs, adopting new technology feels exactly the same. It’s a big, unfamiliar place, and the fear of the unknown can be paralyzing.

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On a recent episode of The Obehi Podcast, I sat down with Sharon Gordon, a Fractional IT Consultant with over 30 years of experience, who began her story with just such a memory. “I remember my mom dressing me in a very pretty little outfit… and off I went to school,” she recalled. “I was quite excited. I wasn’t one of those children who cried because she was leaving her mother… I was excited to go into this new world as a 5-year-old.”

See the full episode with Sharon Gordon

This innate curiosity is the secret ingredient not just for a happy childhood, but for a thriving business. Sharon’s journey from a curious girl in South London to an IT expert who simplifies technology for others reveals a powerful lesson: our ability to embrace the new is directly linked to our potential for growth.

Just as I recount in my book, Amende: the Stream of Water, the joy of jumping into the rain as a child in Esan land was about embracing the moment, finding fun in the unknown.

That same spirit is what we need to channel today as we navigate the digital landscape. It’s about owning your story, and that begins with mastering the tools you need to tell it.

The Human Side of Technology: Bridging the Gap Between Fear and Function

Many entrepreneurs see Information Technology (IT) as a necessary evil. It’s a world of complex software, confusing jargon, and costly updates. They know they need it, but they resist it, fearing it will be a painful and complicated process. This resistance, however, keeps them from unlocking their business’s true potential.

Sharon Gordon has built her career on making this process painless. Her journey into IT wasn’t planned; it was born from a natural gift. While working as a legal secretary, she discovered a unique skill.

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“I was the one who came back with the most information,” she said, describing her training experiences. “I was able to translate it into a language that the other secretaries and PAs could understand.”

This is the core of effective IT integration. It’s not about forcing people to use tools they don’t understand. It’s about connection and translation. It’s about transforming technical complexity into simple, powerful solutions.

Sharon describes her role today as a “teacher” and a “giver of knowledge.” She says, “I feel a bit like a doctor. I’ll help you to navigate the world of IT and make it as painless and pain-free as possible.”

This approach aligns perfectly with the African philosophy of Ubuntu, which emphasizes our interconnectedness. Technology should not be a barrier that isolates us; it should be a bridge that fosters collaboration and community.

When entrepreneurs avoid technology, they are not just missing out on efficiency, they are missing opportunities for deeper connection with their clients and their mission. The goal is to move from roots to relevance, using modern tools to share timeless stories and values.

The Real Purpose of IT: Buying Back Your Most Valuable Asset

So, for what purpose is IT truly used in business? It’s not just about sending emails or creating spreadsheets. The ultimate goal of integrating technology is to buy back your most valuable, non-renewable asset: your time.

When you automate repetitive tasks, streamline your client’s onboarding process, or organize your data effectively, you free up mental and emotional energy. This newfound freedom allows you to focus on what truly matters, which, as Sharon notes, is “generating income for your business.” But it goes deeper than that. It gives you the space to innovate, to build relationships, and to work on the vision for your life and legacy.

This is the essence of my Story to Asset Framework. We guide entrepreneurs to transform their personal narratives into tangible business assets. Technology is the engine that drives this transformation.

Whether it’s using a customer relationship management (CRM) system to keep track of client stories or using social media tools to share your message, IT provides the structure needed to scale your impact.

Many business owners get stuck because they don’t know where to start. They see a vast ocean of tools (Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, AI assistants) and feel overwhelmed. Sharon’s advice is simple: start with your “why.” As she puts it, “I’d have to go back to the question is what are they trying to achieve?”

Don’t adopt a tool for the sake of it. First, identify a problem or a bottleneck in your business. Are you spending too much time on scheduling? Are you losing track of leads? Once you know the problem, you can find the right tool to solve it.

Making learning fun is also critical. If you approach technology with dread, it will always feel like a chore. If you approach it with the curiosity of a five-year-old on the first day of school, it becomes an adventure. This mindset shift is a crucial step toward self-mastery.

Your Action Plan: Embracing the Future, Today

The future of business is already here, and as Sharon predicts, it will be dominated by smarter, more intuitive tools. “AI is definitely going to be up there,” she says. “I think there’s going to be a lot more new and innovative tools for people to jump on that are probably going to be more cost-effective to use and easier to learn.”

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Instead of being intimidated by this future, you can prepare for it. Here’s how you can start making technology your ally:

1. Identify One “Pain Point”: What is the single most time-consuming, repetitive task in your business right now? Write it down. Your first mission is to find a technological solution for that one thing. Don’t try to overhaul your entire system at once.
2. Channel Your Curiosity: Dedicate one hour this week to research. Watch a YouTube tutorial on a tool you’ve heard about. Read an article. Approach it with an open mind, not as a task you have to do, but as an opportunity you get to explore.
3. Seek a Translator: You don’t have to do it alone. Find a guide, like Sharon Gordon, who can translate the technical into the practical. Investing in an expert who can set up your systems correctly from the start will save you countless hours of frustration down the line. Remember Sharon’s wisdom: “How the relationship begins is a good indication of how the relationship is going to continue.” Start on the right foot.
4. Embrace the Journey: The world of technology is always changing. The goal isn’t to know everything, but to remain open to learning. This continuous journey of growth and adaptation is what separates thriving entrepreneurs from those who get left behind.

Sharon’s mother left her with a powerful piece of wisdom that has guided her entire life: “There is no such word as can’t.” This simple but profound statement is a call to action for every entrepreneur in the African diaspora.

You can understand technology. You can build efficient systems. You can leverage these tools to amplify your voice and build a lasting legacy.

Don’t let fear hold you back from your potential. Own your story, embrace the tools of today, and build the business of tomorrow.

To learn more from experts like Sharon Gordon, explore over 1,000 interviews on The Obehi Podcast.