Dial A Geek’s Annual Impact Report: How a Bristol MSP Balances Profit and Purpose

Picture this: A tech company that doesn’t just fix your printer but also fixes society. Sounds like a utopian startup pitch, right? Well, Bristol’s Dial A Geek—a managed service provider (MSP) with the soul of a community organizer—just dropped its annual impact report, and *dude*, it’s got more layers than a thrift-store flannel. Founded in 2006 by Gildas Jones, this isn’t your typical IT shop counting billable hours. They’re out here measuring carbon footprints, mentoring apprentices, and even snagging B Corp certification like it’s a limited-edition vinyl. Let’s dissect how this company turned tech support into a force for good—without the corporate jargon hangover.
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Green IT: Where Mother Nature Meets Motherboard

Dial A Geek’s sustainability game is stronger than a double-shot espresso. Their report reveals a “Green IT” manifesto that’s less *tree-hugger* and more *profit-hugger*—because yes, eco-friendly tech can actually save businesses money.
– Carbon-Cutting Tech: They’ve been pushing clients toward energy-efficient hardware, cloud solutions (fewer servers = smaller footprint), and even e-waste recycling programs. One client slashed energy costs by 30% after switching to their optimized systems—proving sustainability isn’t just virtue signaling.
– Free Guide to Green IT: Their cheekily named handbook (think *”The Idiot’s Guide to Not Trashing the Planet”*) breaks down how SMEs can adopt sustainable IT without going bankrupt. Spoiler: It’s mostly about long-term ROI, like extending device lifespans and buying refurbished.
– B Corp Badge: Certified in 2023, they now audit everything from supply chains to employee benefits. Translation: They’re walking the walk, not just tweeting about it.
But here’s the twist: While big tech firms greenwash with flashy pledges, Dial A Geek’s report admits their own journey isn’t perfect. (*”We still use plastic packaging sometimes—working on it!”*). Refreshing honesty or savvy PR? You decide.
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People Over Profit: Apprenticeships, Living Wages & “Unicorn Culture”

Forget foosball tables and free kombucha—Dial A Geek’s real perk is career catapults. Their social impact reads like a feel-good movie script:
– Employer of the Year (2019/2020): Their apprenticeship program trains local teens in IT, with 85% landing full-time jobs. One former apprentice, now a sysadmin, joked, *”They paid me to learn instead of charging tuition. Scam!”*
– Living Wage Since 2022: While gig economy giants dodge fair pay, Dial A Geek guarantees salaries above UK minimum wage. Their logic? *”Happy employees don’t rage-quit during server crashes.”*
– “Bristol’s Tech Family”: Employees describe the culture as *”chaotic but kind”*—think hybrid work, mental health days, and a no-blame policy for mistakes. (Key quote: *”We’ve all accidentally deleted a database. It’s fine.”*)
Critics might say SMEs can’t afford such perks. Dial A Geek’s counter? Turnover dropped 40% after these policies launched. (*Mic drop.*)
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Better Business Network: Collaboration as a Competitive Edge

Here’s where it gets meta: Dial A Geek doesn’t just serve businesses—it mobilizes them. As a member of Bristol24/7’s Better Business Network, they’re part of a coalition pushing for:
– Local Sourcing: Partnering with Bristol-based vendors (even if it costs 10% more) to keep money circulating locally. *”Why buy servers from a faceless corp when Dave down the road sells them?”*
– Skills-Sharing Workshops: Free IT clinics for nonprofits, because *”charities deserve tech that works, not just duct-taped dinosaurs.”*
– Advocacy for Ethical Tech: Lobbying for policies like right-to-repair laws and tax breaks for green tech adopters.
Their report admits collaboration isn’t always easy (*”Some competitors still ghost our emails”*), but the network’s grown 200% in two years. Proof that collective impact beats cutthroat competition.
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The Verdict: Can Purpose-Driven IT Scale?

Dial A Geek’s report is part brag sheet, part confession booth. They’re transparent about trade-offs (*”B Corp audits cost us 150 staff hours”*) but argue the long-term wins—loyal clients, employee retention, and that warm fuzzy *”we helped”* feeling—outweigh the headaches.
For other SMEs, their playbook suggests:

So, is Dial A Geek a blueprint for ethical business, or just a feel-good outlier? Their report’s closing line says it all: *”We’re not saving the world. But we’re fixing it, one server at a time.”* Now *that’s* an IT mission statement we can get behind.