The Power of Perception & IT
By Ausaf Ahmad • Aug 5th, 2008 • Category: Misc • (3,752 views) • 32 CommentsIT still has a perception problem. In some organizations, we continue to be seen as geeks that play with expensive toys. Sure, these toys power the business, but their necessity is often not indicated in a way that’s “business friendly.”Reality and perception are very different animals. Well-chosen words and a positive demeanor are keys to successful requests and professional interactions with the rest of the business. Although IT continues to gain ground in visibility and potential impact, much of what we do is, and probably always will be, behind the scenes work that no one really understands, nor do they want to understand it, nor do they need to. Like the folks that maintain your office, a lot of people consider the behind-the-scenes work that IT performs as “electronic maintenance.” These are critical tasks that need to be done, but the CEO isn’t going to stop by each morning complimenting the team on doing a great job changing last night’s tapes. Quite honestly, if your CEO actually does do this, he or she may need a little more work!
Rightly or wrongly, some IT organizations have managed to move into the “PITA” category for some executives. That’s not to say that these executives don’t understand the value wrought by IT, but they have begun to tire of hearing the same story over and over again told in the same way. These executives may feel that IT has enough resources to do its job and they don’t understand why they keep complaining about small budgets and small staffs.
Why does this happen? First, look inward. When you make a pitch to the executive team for a new initiative, how do you approach the task? Do you say “We simply have to replace our old, outdated router. It keeps acting up. The new router supports IPv6 and has GigE ports, so we’ll never run out of addresses and stuff will be faster than with the old router, which is no longer supported” or do you say “Our existing router, which is the lynchpin for our connection to the Internet, is no longer supported by the manufacturer. If it fails, there is the potential for an extended outage, which would cost the organization $XXX per hour until the unit is repaired. From a risk perspective, a new router would pay for itself after only xxx hours of downtime.”
I’d argue that the second approach will get you closer to your goal and possible kudos from senior management for being proactive in the face of possible failure. You’ll be seen as understanding the business rather than wanting a new toy, even though the result would be the same from a technical perspective. The second approach gives executive management some meat, too. They get to make a decision based on some real information that they can sink their teeth into. Sure, you could still get shot down, but bear in mind that most organizations have priorities beyond IT needs that must also be addressed and your executive management team may feel that the loss of the router is an acceptable risk for the time being.
When you really think about it, most departments in an organization have thankless jobs that no one thinks about until something goes wrong. Just as you expect your paycheck on time every month, the marketing department has the perfectly reasonable expectation that their database will be well maintained, kept current and kept available. In fact, these folks probably want all of this without having to ask for it. After all, it’s IT’s job to be proactive in keeping these things in working order, and they probably won’t bring you a gift from the Keebler elves every time you apply a patch that keeps their data secure.
The takeaway: Even though the tales of woe are sure to make any IT professional cringe, people outside IT just don’t care about them. They know that something is broken and it needs to be fixed… and now. Understanding this fact and eliminating the complaining within earshot of non-IT staff is critical to maintaining a professional organization. Likewise, understanding how to pitch IT needs in a way that make sense for the business is critical to the CIO’s success.
Last 5 posts by Ausaf Ahmad
- Information Technology and Service Management - Part 1 - October 5th, 2008
- Pakistan's New President - September 9th, 2008
- Petro-Euro Vs Petro-Dollar - Good Eye opener - September 9th, 2008
- Working in IT … Is it good or bad? - August 28th, 2008
- WebTrend - StumbleUpon - August 15th, 2008
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Ausaf Ahmad
About Myself ... Well My name is Ausaf Ahmad which all you can see I have been working in the field of IT for almost 10 years now and have been through from many ups and downs during my career . Being an Electronics Engineer my passion turned me towards Computers and Alhamdulillah I am very much successful in it . During passing through of mid career transition I have done Masters in Computer Sciences and Masters in Business Administration(Management) . Working for one of the leading Automotive Manufacturing Company of Pakistan as Deputy Manager- MIS . I Have worked intensely on the current market "in products" of the IT industry from Linux to Windows - ERP Implementation Project to Desktop / Service Desk Support Implementation . All have done through shear hard work and the blessing of ALLAH and my Family
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August 7th, 2008
@saeed khan yes sir! In, Karachi, mlr, cmh. Saeed, nicely observe that’s true .saeed actually in army lady wives are more ordinal than officer. It is this continuous subjected protocol that becomes the attitude believing that she has prerogative to say as lady .
August 7th, 2008
Dr.Razahaider
I notice it several times, you pay attention, and care about woman, you are a gentleman. Have you served under lady commanding officer in army ? Just an educated guess.
August 6th, 2008
okayyyyyyyyyyyyy mem as per your wish my lady……………clemency granted by mutual consent of the board………………..to be placed and award severe displeasure and red entry in his docus………….5 years loss of seniority and removel of rank with degradation at lieutenant…………..to report back to his parent unit and further disposal at their end.,,,,,,,,immediate move ….no TA/Da permissible….
August 6th, 2008
Dear Ausaf Ahmed, making a genuine mistake is no big deal; trying to justify it is a sign of weakness and questionable intentions. Obviously, you like to present yourself and be counted and believe me, it is great. It is fine to benefit from published material; that’s why it is published. It is also totally legitimate to use it for your own writing. Basic principle is to give credit to your source and if you wish to reprint in verbatim for other people’s benefit, and if the authors / publishers permit, you may do so but then it must be in its original form: Author / Publication / Date published. With your impressive as well as exceptional academic background, with a bit of preparation and research you can help us all immensely in educating ourselves. TRICK IS SERIOUS PREPARATION.
Now, my request to other friends, please let this be. There is no reason, in my opinion, for asking TPS to block any writers or commentators ( I have to learn calling ‘commentors’ ! ). In my opinion this is the greatest service and the most beautiful thing about TPS to provide an open and free platform to share opinions, convince or be convinced, propagate, oppose, argue, fight, and finally see for yourself the strength of your arguments. It is democracy in action and I am proud of it. It is such a great learning experience, so lets just continue as it is. Believe me it is working!
Saleem Khan Sahib, thank you for all those kind words to reflect your sentiments. Whereas your generosity is acknowledged and much appreciated; however, I must say that I am embarrassed to be called a “bank of knowledge” etc. Bhai, I am nothing, absolutely nothing; though with all humility I do wish that I was a man of knowledge and could share it with others. But, as long as we are sincerely trying to be knowledgeable, you never know we might learn one day that we know nothing and that there is so much to know and share with others. I am at it and you all are source of enriching me. Thanks.
August 6th, 2008
Dr. Raza you are going overboard, yeah the Ausaf chap has done wrong, but we should try to caution him to not to do it again, again and again, and not to chase him off.
August 6th, 2008
Dr. Razahaider
Kia baccahy ki jaan leega
August 6th, 2008
Dr. Raza,
The more people respond to his antics, more he is getting a rise out of this. It is a shame that so many other articles are presented here on TPS, and due to this demented liar, they are being ignored.
I do not have time to engage this liar or other liars here. It is a waste of my time and sensibilities.
Regards
August 6th, 2008
Listen Mr. Ausaf please answer dr alshaer, as he is the person who dig out your expertise of cut and paste.
In military there is a term extensively used as dodger. Please go through the meaning.
As to your habitual action with regard to uplift your profile, I would simply say that appreciation, applause, and elevation are by designed the award from god and people like you can withstand and enjoy only few moments of such fake gesture nevertheless with a penalty which you are facing now in the form of extreme of dishonor, and abuse.
It is an advice that you should sworn before the people and your lord that from now onward I would express my own feel rather to cut and paste.
As to my habitual tendency and activity, you will always find me exploiting your skill from now and onward.
One more thing sir, do not take me as an old, demented, retired military officer on Viagra. take care
August 6th, 2008
Ausaf Ahmad,
Now you have, excepted, and I believe you realize now, it’s not well, accepted generally. Let’s all put this matter to rest, clear the smoke, and let fresh air come in.
ANY FRESH IDEAS ? ………………………………………………….
August 6th, 2008
If you all want to see the original post on the Adobe Blog site here it is
http://blogs.adobe.com/psirt/2008/08/verifying_installers.html
Kind Regards.
August 6th, 2008
Well Let me clarify my point of view . This thing might be posted on ZDNET Site as mentioned by Dr Raza in his comments …. I put it on the this site for all users information on my own ..
Thats all i want to say now ……..
August 6th, 2008
Well Let me clarify my point of view . This thing might be posted on ZDNET Site …. I put it on the this site for all users information on my own ..
Thats all i want to say now ……..