how to be the a-team and not the geek squad (2014 ny tech summit)

How To Be the A-Teamand not the Geek Squad

Eric J.T. Caballero, Presenter

Equip (provide what’s needed)

Ensure (up & available)

Empower (productive &

innovative)

What does IT do?

Problem Solving Communicating Collaborating Engaging Being Professional

How does IT deliver the E’s?

Entry Level

Low Experience

Modest Value to the

Organization

Common Professional Development

Mid Level

Mid Experience

Higher Value to the

Organization

High Level

High Experience

Highest Value to the Organization

$ $$ $$$

Support Analyst

Low Experience

Modest Value to the Organization

Common Professional Development

Jr. Engineer

Mid Experience

Higher Value to the

Organization

Sr. Engineer

High Experience

Highest Value to the Organization

$ $$ $$$

Programmer

Low Experience

Modest Value to the

Organization

Common Professional Development

Jr. Developer

Mid Experience

Higher Value to the

Organization

Sr. Developer

High Experience

Highest Value to the Organization

$ $$ $$$

Project Mgr.

Low Experience

Modest Value to the

Organization

Common Professional Development

Director

Mid Experience

Higher Value to the

Organization

CIO

High Experience

Highest Value to the Organization

$ $$ $$$

CIO

Operations Director

Engineers

Techs

Applications

Director

Developers

Analysts

Trainers

Projects Director

Project Managers

Specialists

CTO CISO

Basic IT Function Framework

Focus on solutions not problems

Use an open mind

Assess neutrally

Think in possibilities

Language of action

Simplify

#1 Problem Solving

Have an objective

Articulate clearly

Know your audience

Watch the technobabble

Be succinct

Mindful of your tone

#2 Communicating

Check your ego

Be flexible

Take responsibility

Constructively criticize

Be succinct

Be helpful

#3 Collaborating

Know the mission, values, goals

Learn the industry

Respect the history

Be part of the culture

Understand the politics

Truthful and genuine

Tell stories

#4 Engaging

Work towards goals

Be accountable

Be considerate

Be consistent

Be tidy

Dress appropriate

#5 Be Professional

NO:

Connect effort to impact

Connect impact to outcomes

Link skills and effort to quality

Identify career paths

Link Staff To The Organization

Create learning opportunities

Involve staff in information sharing

Ask staff for opinions

Answer all questions

Enable and recognize efforts

Know them as people

Link Staff To Leadership

Admits wrong Accepts constructive

criticism Focus and does what’s

right See’s challenge as

opportunity Open minded Adaptable Moral & ethical standard

Who You Want To Work With

No Whining Finish what they start Reads regularly Balanced work-personal

life Can say no Inquisitive Respectful

EJTCaballero@outlook.com

@EJTCaballero

www.linkedin.com/in/ericcaballero

Thank You!

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