Chris Cranie

Chris Cranie is the founder of True Team, providing independent, senior IT expertise to UK SMBs and non-profits. With over 20 years of experience across IT leadership, security, projects and data, he writes about practical technology decisions for small business leaders.

blogger, screenwriter, desperate, unimaginative, uncreative, writer's block, thinking blockade, hair-tearing, headache, workplace, unmotivated, desk, home office, computer, office, macbook, mockup, exhausted, profession, work, resigned, writer, multimedia, graphic design, media specialist, young man, employees, entrepreneur, author, programmer, frustration, frustrated, resignation, the media, media-creating, burnout, headache, headache, computer, computer, office, work, work, work, work, work, writer, frustration, frustrated, burnout

Did you just get auto-renewed? You’re not alone…

08/05/2026

Most suppliers won’t warn you before they renew. Here’s the practical system that puts you back in control of your subscriptions.

Did you just get auto-renewed? You’re not alone… Read Post »

Close-up of tower servers in a data center with blue and red lighting.

Is on-premise storage still a valid choice for small businesses?

22/02/2026

A real client story about Synology NAS and why on-premise storage still makes sense for some SMBs. Practical IT insights from a Fractional IT Director working with UK small businesses.

Is on-premise storage still a valid choice for small businesses? Read Post »

A close-up of a hand with a pen analyzing data on colorful bar and line charts on paper.

Should I tell a client they don’t need AI?

08/02/2026

A client came to me wanting to use AI to analyse their financial data. One conversation later, it was clear AI wasn’t the problem to solve – fixing their data was. Here’s what we found.

Should I tell a client they don’t need AI? Read Post »