Unless your company is in the technology business (ISP, Software co., etc), then you are a service to whatever business you're in. Some would argue you're a service either way. IT staff must think first about the business not what is in their own technical self interest. Let's face it, if the business does not prosper, you don't have a job. On the other hand, if you have a part in helping the business prosper, you should be rewarded.
We are in the clinical research business. Our message to the IT staff is that they are researchers with expertise in IT. Obviously we are not qualified to be clinical researchers but the shift in perspective is very powerful. Admittedly, only about 10% of the staff get it. Those 10% are far more effective and seem to enjoy their work much more than the rest. It's scary to think what a full staff could do if in this mindset.
If you're not willing to see yourself this way, dust off your resume and find a software company where the world can revolve around you.
For non-tech companies, IT leadership should stress the business they're in (they wouldn't have a job without that business).
Here's how we approach it - we say we are clinical researchers with expertise in IT. Of course we're not clinical researchers and are not qualified to be but the change in mindset allows people to use their IT skills more effectively. The relationship between the business and IT improves dramatically with staff that take on this mindset. Granted only a certain percentage recognize this (10% in our case) but those that do become extremely valuable to the organization. These are also the folks that seem to enjoy their job more than others.
If you don't want to acknowledge the business you're in, dust off the resume and find a software company where the world will revolve around you!
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Unless your company is in the technology business (ISP, Software co., etc), then you are a service to whatever business you're in. Some would argue you're a service either way. IT staff must think first about the business not what is in their own technical self interest. Let's face it, if the business does not prosper, you don't have a job. On the other hand, if you have a part in helping the business prosper, you should be rewarded. We are in the clinical research business. Our message to the IT staff is that they are researchers with expertise in IT. Obviously we are not qualified to be clinical researchers but the shift in perspective is very powerful. Admittedly, only about 10% of the staff get it. Those 10% are far more effective and seem to enjoy their work much more than the rest. It's scary to think what a full staff could do if in this mindset. If you're not willing to see yourself this way, dust off your resume and find a software company where the world can revolve around you.
For non-tech companies, IT leadership should stress the business they're in (they wouldn't have a job without that business). Here's how we approach it - we say we are clinical researchers with expertise in IT. Of course we're not clinical researchers and are not qualified to be but the change in mindset allows people to use their IT skills more effectively. The relationship between the business and IT improves dramatically with staff that take on this mindset. Granted only a certain percentage recognize this (10% in our case) but those that do become extremely valuable to the organization. These are also the folks that seem to enjoy their job more than others. If you don't want to acknowledge the business you're in, dust off the resume and find a software company where the world will revolve around you!