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THE NARRATIVE GROUP

IT BLOG

The Narrative Group is a CTO-led technology strategy and operations firm helping mid-market companies align technology investment with business performance. We provide strategic advisory, executive technology leadership, cybersecurity, and managed technology operations for growing companies.

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How to Identify Which Processes Are Actually Worth Automating

Joe Leo

August 31, 2026

Automating broken processes just amplifies mistakes. Learn the signals, metrics, and no-go list for choosing the right processes.

Why RPA Bots Break in Production (and How to Build Them Better)

Joe Leo

August 28, 2026

A brilliant bot on a shaky foundation is a liability. Fix your data quality and process monitoring before scaling your automation program.

The Hidden Cost of Manual Operations

Joe Leo

August 27, 2026

That "free" spreadsheet is billing you in labor, errors, and delays. What manual operations actually cost.

RPA vs. Low-Code Automation (n8n): 2026 Guide

Joe Leo

August 22, 2026

Enterprise RPA or n8n? A guide to matching the right tool to your workflows and eliminating invisible cloud waste.

The CFO’s Guide to Cybersecurity as a Financial Strategy

Sara Klinghoffer

August 13, 2026

Your security posture is already affecting your EBITDA. Calculate the exact financial impact of downtime, premiums, and M&A.

Automation Governance: Scaling From 5 Bots to 50 Without Chaos

Joe Leo

August 11, 2026

Scaling from 5 to 50 bots? How to build ownership, intake, and reuse before you open the throttle.

The Truth About Managed IT: Hidden Operational Traps

Sara Klinghoffer

August 7, 2026

Stop bleeding margin to hit-and-run IT vendors. 45% of projects run over budget. Hold them to outcomes.

The ROI of Automation: How Executives Should Actually Measure It

Bruce Fairley

July 9, 2026

Stop counting automated tasks. The automation ROI metrics that actually show up in EBITDA and margin.

Why Automation Initiatives Stall in Mid-Sized Companies

Joe Leo

July 5, 2026

Bad data, broken bots, and hidden maintenance turn automation from a margin lever into another IT cost.

How a Fractional CTO Prepares a Company for Acquisition

Bruce Fairley

June 18, 2026

Stop letting technology debt reduce acquisition value. Learn how a fractional CTO prepares systems, data, cybersecurity, governance, and integration plans before diligence begins.