Discuss your role in IT with company management/ownership
Technology often makes people run screaming in the opposite direction or turns them into giddy children and they cannot wait to get their hands on the next of the latest and greatest. I would, surely like many of you reading this, fall into the latter camp and am quite excited about technology.
When I get the opportunity to give a presentation about technology I am usually a bit nervous or on the fence about the idea because quite honestly, presentations and I mix like oil and water. However in some cases (and especially as of late) giving a presentation is a good idea.
In organizations selling technology is usually quite the chore (assuming that your organization is not a technology company). You have to pitch the choices for a solution to management or make the options you dont like so convoluted that your choice is the best fit for the job, even if that is not the case.
Today was a bit different, I was asked to present to the owner of the company covering technology and what exactly I do for the organization. This is quite a challenge, but a worthy one if you are asked or can coax management into allowing you time in front of the ownership group. Getting in front of the group, unfiltered, can be a great lift for your department.
Do not look to spend money. There will always be an opportunity to do that, pitch things to management to buy the latest gizmo because it makes your workers this much better at their jobs. Talk to the owners and let them understand what you are working on and what you do in the technology role you have.
Explain the up front details. Do not launch into an explanation of DNS and the Internet as you will likely bore the audience to tears. Show them what you are doing, how your projects are coming along, and where you might go in the future in terms of projects. They will be glad to see it if they have an interest in their employees and as bosses they should.
You might even be able to toot your own horn a bit and help them to understand why the company needs your role and what your industry brings to the table.
If you take the time to talk to upper management and ownership and help them to visualize your role, both of you will be better for it.
