MEET NJ POWER PLAYER, MICHAEL FRIED:
Growing up, technology always fascinated Michael Fried, today the CEO of Tech- Keys in Howell. After pinpointing a gap in the industry that wasn’t prioritizing customer service for small-business clients, he launched Tech-Keys with a goal to “create success for others through the use of technology.” It was initially born as a break/ fix IT company that addressed computer and server issues in the tri-state area, and became known as an “Urgent Care” for small businesses. In 2011, a client asked Fried: “Everyone knows Tech-Keys is great at putting out fires, but the question you need to be asking is, ‘Why is there a fire in the first place?’” This prompt inspired Fried to rethink his approach, and Tech-Keys began focusing on preventing issues rather than merely resolving them. Ultimately, the company evolved into a managed service provider, offering proactive IT management.
Today, Tech-Keys provides end-to-end IT support, including a variety of managed IT services, cybersecurity services, cloud services, and vCIO, virtual chief information officer services. But the highlight of Fried’s day-to-day routine is collaborating with his team. “What truly sets us apart from other IT companies is our people,” he said. “We take pride in offering top-tier customer service, and that starts with hiring talented, intelligent, and personable individuals.” His goal, for every client, is to offer far more than IT services; he strives to help small businesses grow and flourish.
WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT LESSON YOU’VE LEARNED IN YOUR CAREER? There are a few key lessons I’ve learned over the course of my career. First, to prioritize proactivity. Second, embrace transparency. Third, build a culture of excellence. Finally, adapt and innovate. Always embrace change and stay ahead of industry trends. At Tech-Keys, we pride ourselves on our continuous self-evaluation and self-improvement that allows us to remain competitive and relevant in today’s dynamic landscape.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE FALL FOOD? Mediterranean! Clean, healthy, and delicious!
WHO IS YOUR ULTIMATE FASHION/STYLE ICON AND WHY? To be honest, I don’t know that I can speak intelligently about fashion; however, I will say (since I grew up in the UK) that someone that I strive to be more like is the late Queen of England. I realized after she passed away that she was possibly the last of what I would consider real royalty. I cannot think of a single person who was more humble, professional, and poised, always. For someone who lived almost 100 years, the fact that there isn’t a single picture of her lacking poise and professionalism says a lot. So as a business leader, I would say that being able to stay cool under pressure, humble regardless of accomplishment, and respectful even when it is difficult: those are my goals. Wish me luck!
MEET NJ POWER PLAYER, JAMES VUJICIC:
In an era of increasing cyber threats and complex AI, James Vujicic aims to make IT support easy and stress-free. As the COO of Tech-Keys, the New Jersey resident oversees the operations of information technology and ensures that computer-based systems run smoothly for companies and individuals. Vujicic first became interested in IT in his childhood, drawn to the near limitless possibilities of computers, and has since risen through the ranks to be one of the leaders at Tech-Keys in Howell.
“Ever since I was a little kid, maybe seven or eight years old, I always loved computers,” he said. “My passion for technology was always to help people solve issues. I’ve always been into fixing things.”
At Tech-Keys, Vujicic does just that; he’s helped position the company as a go-to hub for any and all technological issues that users might experience on a daily basis. “We want to make sure we take care of the full stack of our customers’ needs from top to bottom,” he said.
WHAT IS ONE PROFESSIONAL MILESTONE YOU HOPE TO ACCOMPLISH IN 2024?
To simplify; we want to ensure we’re running the company with deep efficiency.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUXURY RESORT IN THE WORLD, AND WHAT IS ITS TOP FEATURE?
Recently, I stayed at the Nobu Hotel in Chicago and that was probably my favorite hotel I’ve ever stayed in. It’s not really a resort but a really gorgeous hotel. The top feature is the customer service. You get greeted by name. They know exactly who you are. If I had to pick one specific feature, it would probably be their rooftop bar.
ALL-TIME FAVORITE ACTION MOVIE?
Ford v. Ferrari. I don’t know if people classify it as action, but for me, it was very action-packed.
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“Tech-Keys has been managing our IT infrastructure and consistently providing excellent service and recommendations. This has provided us with a level of comfort to focus on our core business while they focus on our IT infrastructure, we can focus on growing our business.”
“Our most important criteria when searching for an IT company was to find a provider who understood our business needs, and that understood the responsibility of maintaining our critical systems and preventing downtime. In Tech-Keys, we found this and much more. We know that Tech-Keys always has our back and treats our business as they do their own!”
“We view Tech-Keys as our strategic IT partner. I’m never concerned about our IT services because I trust Tech-Keys to handle it efficiently. We don’t have recurring IT issues, and when something comes up, Tech-Keys is always a step ahead on fixing the problem. Tech-Keys’s strengths are service responsiveness, efficiency, and proactive customer support.”
“Tech-Keys’s greatest strength is their response time. Unlike other providers I have worked with in the past, when we call with an issue we get a resolution very quickly. Response time is the most important trait in a support provider, and Tech-Keys excels at it. Tech-Keys has excellent technical knowledge, as well as a good understanding of the healthcare industry.”