Management

Event Code: EXEC6
Date/Time: 8/26/09 3:30 pm

Presenter:
Kermit Wallace

Key Points:

• It’s important to represent yourself, your position, and your firm effectively when working with clients and vendors. You will need to work hard to be perceived as a business person and not “just” an IT person.
• Communicate the case for IT investments within your firm to:
  • the partnership
  • CFO
  • Executive Director
• Define your and your department’s communications style and standards
• Communicate appropriately whether on the phone, in person or via e-mail
  • What would you do/say in front of your Grandmother?
• Understand who you are and your role in the firm before interacting
• Be perceived as a business person, not just an IT person
• Does IT get a seat at the table?
  • Maybe, it depends on who that person is
• FACTS:
  • Appearance matters
  • Punctuality matters
  • Firm  culture dictates what is acceptable
• Ask yourself; Is what you want to do in-line with what the business wants to do?
  • You need to understand the points items in order to be able to answer this question
• Communicating Up; When you ask to spend money you’re asking that person to essentially spend their money.
  • Do you understand the value of the investment?
  • Can you articulate this value as it relates to the the firm’s values and/or business plan
• What is your style?
  • Is there a firm style for communications?
    • Paper Memos
    • E-Mail Announcements
    • Voicemail
    • Phone ‘blasts’
    • Lobby cards
    • Posters (project specific)
• What’s appropriate is “restricted” by who you are:
  • There are some things that your managing partner can say that you can’t
  • Don’t speak on behalf of anyone else
• Is what you’re saying approrpiate for your firm and is it appropriate for your position
• Professionalism at all times is key
  • Impacts the “seat at the table” question
• Understanding the firm business model is key to growing beyond being the “IT Person”
• Know you audience & learn the best way to communicate
• Some things are better left unsaid
• Use the experts to help you confirm to & develop a stlye of work
  • Marketing!!!
• Act the part
  • There are people at the firm that you can use as a model to guide what’s appropriate