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)
- Is there a firm style for communications?
- 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
