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Last week's survey results
Thanks to everyone who submitted a survey response from our last newsletter. The objective of the survey was to evaluate the potential for MDE to deliver web based training and if so, what was of most interest to our subscribers. We value your opinion and use it to develop our training strategies as we strive to help IT Managers around the globe.
Here is a summary of the results:
There were over 200 responses representing over 40 countries from around the world. A majority of responses, 55.3%, were from outside the US with Canada, Australia, and the UK leading the way.
Over 80% said they were interested in web based training programs with the highest level of interest in IT Strategy, Project Management, and IT Organization & Staff topics. The lowest area of interest was IT Due Diligence & Assimilation at 42.1%, still a strong indication of interest. Because of the interest in IT strategy, I am offering Building a Strategic IT Plan for half price this month. See the special offer section below.
You were more interested in 1-hour classes and half day programs than full day programs and preferred weekday training as opposed to evenings and Saturday's.
The result of the survey has convinced me that web based training is the next step for our company to take in reaching more IT managers. Plans are underway to add web based training to MDE's considerable inventory of IT management training resources in 2004.
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Invest in your IT Manager to achieve more
One of the biggest challenges IT managers have is "not knowing what we do not know".
I speak from personal experience when I say this. It took me many years of managing technology resources before I began truly understanding what managing an IT organization was all about. It was a tough transition for me to make the change from a technology "expert" to that of a competent IT manager.
I am fortunate in that I have been surrounded by strong operational managers most of my career. Unfortunately, most IT managers don't get the same level of exposure that can truly improve their management understanding and perspective.
The IT "disconnect"
I see it all the time. Company execs are scratching their head wondering what IT is working on, why they are spending so much money, and asking themselves if the IT organization is focused on the right priorities and delivering an appropriate level of support for employees of the company.
Department managers and users complain that IT works on the wrong priorities and is not responsive to their needs.
On the other hand, IT employees are convinced that their customers (company technology users or external clients) do a poor job in understanding the technology they use, do not appreciate IT support efforts, and take little to no responsibility for things they should be responsible for.
This "disconnect" exists in most companies, well over 60% from what I've seen.
And you know what? All three groups are accurate.
What causes the disconnect
The growth of technology resources over the past ten to fifteen years has pushed many excellent technology people into IT management roles. Often, the best programmer got the Programming Manager job, the best network administrator was promoted to the Infrastructure Manager position, etc.
The big problem is that most were promoted with little, if any, preparation for what lay ahead.
Managing an IT Organization is totally different than being a strong technology "expert" in your company. The skills you need to be successful as an IT manager are very different and transitioning your focus can be difficult.
I know because it was a very difficult transition for me to make. Fortunately, I had strong managers around me that helped me understand and make the change from "technologist" to "manager".
In most cases, there isn't anyone around to help you. Senior managers typically can't help because they do not really understand the needs and issues that confront a technology manager. The Department managers can't help you either.
Most of your company managers come from operational or sales backgrounds and they just don't have the insight or experience to help you learn how to manage technology resources, and technology resources have different challenges and needs than other company employees.
One of the biggest challenges we have is,
"not knowing what we do not know".
So what do you do?
There are several things you can do.
Find a mentor - Identify a strong manager in your company or someone outside your company that will work with you to discuss issues, strategize plans with, provide feedback to questions, etc. Try to find someone with a proven track record, preferably one who has had the same responsibilities you now have.
Working with someone who has already experienced and worked through the same issues you are facing can be a "life saver" and save you a considerable amount of time and frustration.
Read and learn - There is considerable amount of information available these days on virtually any topic. The Internet is a great source for information that can help you learn about managing technology resources (people, processes, projects, and technology). CIO Magazine, TechRepublic.com, Gantthead, Computerworld IT Management, IT Business Edge, and others provide free articles and information that can help you.
You can also find free articles from MDE at our main web site or from our newsletter archive at www.mde.net/ezine. I have written over 300 articles in the past three years devoted to helping IT Managers improve their skills to do a better job.
The point here is that you should take initiative to learn about managing technology resources.
Participate in local organizations
Many cities have viable organizations that promote guest speakers and ongoing education. Find out what's available in your area and consider participating in a few to determine what you can learn. Guest speakers are often highly experienced in their area of expertise and have solid track records of success.
Look for IT manager organizations, PMI (Project Management Institute) Chapters, local management associations, or technology groups. Many of them often do things to help IT managers.
Network with your peers; you can help one another and discover lifelong friends.
Look into your industry organizations
Most industries have organizations that promote the use and management of technology in its industry. Do a little research to see what's available in your industry. You should find publications, meetings, seminars, trade shows, and other services that promote the industry that include management insight worth learning about.
Take a class - Training programs can give you plenty of new insight and tools to help you make the "management transition" faster and become a more productive IT manager.
The whole reason I started MDE and developed the IT Manager training programs we offer was to help others achieve more success faster. When I was managing, I couldn't find practical programs developed specifically for IT managers.
Training programs can provide you years of experience on specific subjects. More importantly, they give you the ability to interact with peers and course instructors to discuss issues and to develop relationships that can be of benefit for years to come.
MDE offers two 5-day programs designed to address the major management skill areas an IT manager needs to be successful. Both programs follow my proprietary IT Management Process, the same process I would use as a new CIO of a company.
Both programs provide comprehensive training, senior management insight, and tools to help you manage your technology organization better and to achieve more. I encourage you to join me at one of our spring training sessions to boost your effectiveness and career. Learn more about MDE's IT manager programs. Spring participants will receive a free bonus of three web based training courses. Contact me for information.
Other organizations provide management training programs including college and universities, vendors, and consulting companies.
What do I mean by achieve more ?
Knowing what to do, "how to go about it", and having the tools to help you manage your IT resources more effectively has valuable implications:
1. Your staff achieves more when targeted to appropriate priorities and has the
knowledge, skill, and tools to do their job more effectively.
2. Your company benefits when the IT organization gets more done, provides cost
effective solutions to business issues, and is providing responsive technology
support to the employees of the company.
3. You will personally achieve more when the company, employees of the company,
and your IT staff benefits from your direction.
Managing technology resources is challenging work. Most IT managers are content to work in "react mode" and handle issues as they come about. Not only is that ineffective, it costs your company thousands of dollars in lost productivity and excess cost.
Knowledgeable managers are much more proactive and focus on priorities that have real value. Knowledge empowers you to take charge of your situation and influence your destiny much more than when you operate in "react mode".
In any skill area, having "insider" information and knowing what to do and how to do it gives you an "edge" or a head start on your counterparts. Remember how helpful some of these "tricks of the trade" were in your technical position prior to becoming a manager?
Take a look at some of the benefits people receive when attending MDE training.
When I suggest you should, "Invest in your IT Manager to achieve more.", I mean making a targeted learning investment to improve specific IT management skills. The result is that it will help your company, its employees, your IT staff, and yourself accomplish much, much more.
There are different perspectives about investing in an employee, or manager as in this case. Some companies are reluctant because they think it makes the employee more marketable and more likely to lose the employee.
Other companies avoid investing in their managers and staff because they do not believe it pays off, especially in tough economic times. Cost cutting becomes the theme.
Unfortunately, these attitudes are very "nearsighted". They may make a slight impact in cost short term but miss significant opportunities to do so much more for the company when an IT manager knows how to look for business issues that have cost reduction opportunities. These opportunities outweigh the cost of a class many times over.
Final thoughts
Today, I walk into a company of any reasonable size and know when I walk in I'm going to find tens of thousands of dollars in cost saving opportunities. I know that I can improve client and user satisfaction by implementing a few processes that helps the IT organization deliver predictable and supportable products and services. I also know that even though the IT department is screaming for more money to support their projects, there is probably plenty of money available to fund appropriate initiatives that help the company. I know that when I improve the quality of software development and support, the IT organization's productivity goes way up along with client satisfaction.
I know these things now after learning the hard way for more than twenty years. My focus at MDE is to provide the insight and knowledge that helps others all over the world by providing the knowledge and tools that help you achieve more faster by laying out a game plan and teaching you the fundamentals that allow you to achieve more success..
Click here for more information on MDE training programs.
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