Technology can either fuel your business or drain it. For many leaders, IT once meant keeping the lights on. Today it defines whether a company can compete at all. The difference comes down to clarity, culture, and a willingness to grow without losing who you are

In this episode of Purpose Under Pressure, host Bryan Lefelhoc, founder of Bryan Media Strategies, welcomes Becky Cross, Vice President of Client Partnerships at FIT Technologies, a Cleveland-based managed IT services firm that supports clients nationwide. FIT has become known for its people-first culture, earning 11 consecutive NorthCoast 99 awards and maintaining steady growth while helping companies navigate complex technology challenges with clarity and purpose.

Becky shares how FIT grew through the pandemic, doubling in size while preserving authentic client relationships and learning to scale responsibly. She explains how the company’s employee ownership structure and use of the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) helped stabilize growth, strengthen internal culture, and reinforce a shared mission during turbulent times.

The discussion explores what’s next for business technology — from cybersecurity to the rise of AI — and underscores how purpose-driven leadership and genuine partnerships can turn pressure into progress.

Purpose Under Pressure is brought to you in partnership with Sandler by the Ruby Group, serving sales professionals and sales organizations nationwide from their locations in Akron and Columbus, Ohio, in Capital Region, New York, and in Jacksonville, Florida

Key Takeaways:

-Growth works best when it’s built on trust and authentic relationships, not transactions

-A strong company culture protects both employees and clients when pressure hits

-Expanding too fast can expose cracks, but it also reveals where systems need strengthening

-Employee ownership creates accountability that naturally improves service and outcomes

-Structure and clarity (like the EOS model) can turn chaos into direction

-Cybersecurity must be treated as a constant priority, not a one-time project

-AI should be approached thoughtfully — use it to enhance people, not replace them

-Technology decisions are business decisions; both require purpose and perspective

-Partnering with experts can help small and midsize businesses compete at a higher level

-Staying true to your “why” helps you adapt without losing your identity

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Helpful Links:

Becky Cross, VP Client Partnerships, FIT Technologies: https://www.fittechnologies.com/

Sandler by the Ruby Group: https://go.sandler.com/therubygroup/

Bryan Lefelhoc, Owner, Bryan Media Strategies: https://www.bryanmediastrategies.com/