2024 in Review: Resilience, Innovation, and Rising Stronger Together
As 2023 came to a close, we experienced a significant shift: the end of one of our oldest and largest client relationships. This moment marked the conclusion of a long-standing partnership, and while it was unexpected, we were not unprepared. Early in 2023, we had identified this scenario as a potential risk and begun to explore mitigation strategies.
When the time came to act, our leadership team faced the difficult reality of needing to execute those plans. The sudden loss of over 20% of our top-line revenue meant making tough decisions that impacted every department. As I reflect on that period, one of the hardest moments was saying goodbye to talented and valued team members, including a former mentor who had guided me when I first joined Net Friends in 2008.
It felt like the kind of storylines you see in movies, where leaders are painted as villains for taking such actions. The truth is...these decisions weighed heavily on all of us. Every leader at Net Friends—from our CEO to front-line managers—committed to personal sacrifices to ensure the company could move forward with integrity and care.
Despite these difficult moments, the start of 2024 also marked the beginning of a journey to rebuild, innovate, and strengthen the foundation of Net Friends.
Strength Through Stability
As we worked to steady the company in early 2024, one constant stood out: the resilience and dedication of our team. Across every department, our people rose to the occasion, maintaining the high standards of service our clients expect while adapting to change.
As NOC Manager John Krivich noted:
“This year has been all about maintaining calm, trust, and morale while supporting each other to deliver consistent, high-quality service. The real victories have been the positive response to the changes we faced and the loyalty and dedication that have allowed us to stabilize and rebuild.”
Rachel Clarke, our Services Manager, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the team’s collaboration and focus on improvement:
“We pulled together and tackled these challenges as a unified team. This collective effort sparked a series of positive developments, enabling us to pinpoint key areas for improvement and take impactful action.”
This spirit of stability and teamwork has been the backbone of our success this year. As we found our footing, the team’s commitment to excellence created opportunities to not only recover but to grow stronger and more innovative.
Innovation Through Challenge
Building on this foundation of stability, 2024 became a year of transformation. From the challenges we faced came some of our most impactful innovations—solutions designed to streamline operations, enhance the customer experience, and address emerging needs in today’s digital landscape.
NetSafe: A Comprehensive Cybersecurity Suite
One of our proudest achievements this year was the launch of NetSafe, a suite of managed security solutions tailored to businesses of all sizes:
- NetSafe Server simplifies and strengthens server management for secure, reliable operations.
- NetSafe Strategy provides vCISO services, creating tailored cybersecurity plans with clear roadmaps to mitigate risks and protect businesses from emerging threats.
Empowering Efficiency and Convenience
Alongside NetSafe, we introduced several advancements to make working with Net Friends even more seamless:
- Self-Service Procurement Portal: Clients can shop for hardware and equipment on their schedule, streamlining purchases without waiting for quotes.
- Revamped Product Development Process: By integrating workflows into our ticketing system, we’ve improved accountability and efficiency, driving the success of offerings like NetSafe.
- Rewst Automations: Small automations that save seconds per task now deliver significant time savings across thousands of endpoints.
These innovations are a testament to our commitment to delivering smarter, faster, and more reliable solutions for our clients. My partner, John Snyder, talks about seamless experiences in his CEO forecast for next year, releasing alongside this blog. You can catch a sneak peek here: 2025 Outlook with Net Friends CEO.
Looking Ahead: 2025 and Beyond
With the challenges of 2024 behind us and a wealth of innovations now in place, we’re looking to 2025 with a renewed sense of optimism and focus.
Here’s what we’re most excited about for the year ahead:
- Expanding the reach of NetSafe and empowering more businesses to strengthen their cybersecurity posture.
- Continuing to refine our processes by creating even more seamless and efficient experiences for our clients.
- Building deeper relationships with the businesses and partners who trust us as their IT advisors.
2025 will be a year of continued growth, as we push forward with a mission to help our clients thrive in an increasingly complex digital landscape.
A Heartfelt Thank You!
To our clients: Thank you for trusting us to be your partner in IT. Your collaboration and feedback inspire us to keep improving and delivering the best solutions possible.
To our team: Your resilience, creativity, and dedication have been the driving force behind every success. I am continually amazed by your commitment to our mission and to each other.
To our partners: Your support has been instrumental in helping us achieve our goals. Together, we’ve achieved great things this year, and we look forward to continuing this journey with you.
To my business partner, John Snyder: You continue to be one of the best mentors and friends I’ve had the pleasure to be acquainted with. Your moral compass, vulnerability, and guidance have supported me through more than just business issues this year. I am deeply grateful for your presence and leadership—it has made all the difference.
As we reflect on the challenges and triumphs of 2024, we carry forward the lessons, strength, and unity that have defined this year. Here’s to a 2025 filled with more seamless experiences and shared success!
Don't forget to check out our 2025 Outlook with Net Friends CEO John Snyder!
At Net Friends, we believe in the power of human expertise. While we leverage AI to enhance our content and processes, all blog posts are written and edited by our knowledgeable staff. You can trust you are getting insights directly from our team.