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Technical expertise — and strong communication skills. Of course, an IT partner should be well-versed in the ins and outs of technology. But that sort of knowledge can be of little more than academic value if your partner doesn't have first-hand knowledge of how it applies to your business. "He should be first and foremost a businessperson who utilizes technology in a cost-effective manner to solve business problems," says Michael Crowe, director of the technology consulting and solutions group at Chicago-based Plante & Moran. "He can bridge the technology and communications gap that often exists between IT and a CEO's office."