Career Advancement Archives

Skill Up

Technology is shaping the business landscape in a profound way. It is crucial for employees to acknowledge and adapt to this reality to avoid being left behind. Tech execs, in particular, should ensure that they are well-informed and continuously enhance their technological expertise to stay ahead of the curve.

That means learn about the technology that’s changing your work. ChatGBT is just the latest example of a technology that can be leveraged to replace people. But it’s not the only game changer out there.

As a technology executive, your responsibility is to ensure that your organization is ready for these shifts.

Have a plan. Ensure that you understand the impacts that technology is having on the workforce and the business in general. Make sure that the technology team and the business leaders are in alignment so that you can build a strategy to train your people.

Cloud is a big deal.

The cloud has a significant influence on how people conduct business. It transforms the approach to IT services, enabling businesses to play an active role in decision-making. By leveraging the cloud’s capabilities, businesses can achieve seamless enablement and enhanced agility, which is the ultimate goal of investing in a flexible and globally deployable infrastructure. By relying on vendors for infrastructure management, businesses can explore new opportunities for their IT departments. This is where the training plan plays a crucial role.

IT is shifting from infrastructure support to business enablement. The IT team needs to develop Agile skills, work with vendors, have the ability to recognize and implement new technology quickly, and overall participate in the shift to a more business-centric environment.

It’s Okay to Ask Questions

I was reading a funny story about Henry Kissinger that highlight why it’s important to ask questions. If you don’t know who Dr. Kissinger is, you are probably too young. He was the Secretary of State during the Nixon Administration and considered one of the smartest SoS’s ever.

Henry Kissinger’s speech writer handed Kissinger the latest speech for him to review. Kissinger wrote on the paper, “Is that the best you can do?” The speech writer rewrote the piece and handed it to Kissinger for his thoughts. Kissinger wrote the same thing, “Is that the best you can do?” The speech writer did two more revisions with the same responses. Finally, frustrated, he told Kissinger that it was the best he could do. Kissinger said, “Okay, now I’ll read it.”

This anecdote shared by Kissinger’s speech writer highlights the importance of constant and thorough review in creating quality content. In today’s digital world, with rapid information sharing, we often overlook the need to review our work.

To stand out online, prioritize content quality over quantity for businesses and individuals alike. This means taking the time to carefully craft and review each piece before publishing it.

Similar to Kissinger’s speechwriter, we may undergo multiple revisions before reaching a final product we’re proud of. Like Kissinger, who read the speech only when it was perfect, we should publish when confident in our work’s quality.

Reviewing our content helps us catch overlooked errors, maintaining credibility and professionalism. Errors can damage our reputation.

Furthermore, by thoroughly reviewing our content before publishing it, we give ourselves the opportunity to refine and improve upon it. We can add more clarity, strengthen arguments, and make sure each point is effectively conveyed to our audience.

In conclusion, prioritizing the review process when creating content is crucial for success in today’s digital landscape. It ensures high-quality, engaging content that meets audience needs and reflects positively on your brand. Don’t forget to set aside time for review and revision when creating content – your readers (and reputation) will thank you.

And… moral of the story:

Unless you like doing a lot of unnecessary extra work, make sure you understand what the boss is saying. It’s okay to ask questions. That’s what meetings are for. Don’t just nod and agree without fully comprehending the task at hand.

As a tech executive, it’s easy to get caught up in the fast-paced environment and numerous tasks that require completion. However, it’s important to remember that understanding your boss’s instructions is crucial in order to successfully complete your work.

Sometimes, to seem competent or avoid looking ignorant, we nod along with our boss without fully understanding their requests. This can lead to confusion and wasted time as we try to figure things out on our own.

Click here to see a post on questions to ask when building a technology strategy.

The Importance of Understanding Technology in Career Advancement

In today’s business landscape, technology plays a critical role, regardless of the job you hold. A competent tech executive understands the importance of keeping all leaders well-informed about the latest technological advancements. They devise a comprehensive plan to ensure effective communication and knowledge sharing among the leadership team.

Laptops have become ubiquitous tools, necessitating that users acquire proficiency in office applications such as PowerPoint, Word, and Excel. However, it is insufficient in today’s world to simply be familiar with navigating a laptop. It is crucial to actively engage and educate oneself about how technology is shaping one’s specific industry.

You might be familiar with the term “Cloud”, but have you ever wondered what it actually means and how it can benefit your business?

Nowadays, data holds immense significance, leading many organizations to adopt Artificial Intelligence (AI) solutions for leveraging and decision-making based on this wealth of information. But how does it all work? Lately, there has been a lot of buzz surrounding ChatGPT. Are you familiar with this technology and its potential applications for your business? The key is to stay well-informed and have a good understanding of these advancements, as it can greatly benefit both you and your career. Embracing these transformative technologies will shape the future of your company.

We’ll talk more about specific technologies and how they apply to various businesses in later posts.

Moving from Corporate to Consulting

Some dream of transitioning from a corporate software developer role to consulting or Big 4. Travel and the potential for more money add allure. However, the move is not for everyone and can be stressful if unprepared. Does it accelerate the path to becoming a tech exec?

Let’s determine if the consulting world is right for you. As a software developer, you’ll work on projects with a team, either at a client site or virtually. Junior focus on coding, while senior roles also involve pre-sales as a subject matter expert.

What’s the difference?

This is not much different from your current corporate software development team. The point is, you’ll be leaving a well-structured environment one with more stress. Clients have high expectations and constantly assess the quality of your work. If you excel at what you do, this won’t be a big deal. However, consulting company leaders are often pressured to quickly place you in a role, so you’re not sitting on the bench.

Project assignments

Leadership “markets” you to assign you to a project. Ideal fit can be secondary to project assignment, with revenue generation as the primary factor. Consider your flexibility and adaptability in handling change and stress. Making it past the first two years is a good sign for growth and advancement.

Up or out

Big 4 consulting firms (Deloitte, E&Y, PWC, and KPMG) follow an up-or-out model. you don’t get promoted within a specific timeframe (usually two years), they let you go. This can be unsettling for those transitioning from a corporate setup with no fixed promotion expectations.

Mix of assignments

Assuming you’re not assigned to a long-term project, rotating clients and projects is a great way to build experience. It keeps things interesting, avoiding the mundane grind of doing the same thing every day for years. However, if you prefer certainty and not having to learn anything new, consulting might not be the right fit for you.

As a consultant, each role offers an opportunity to learn and adapt to new job requirements and work environments. The pace can be demanding, as clients expect more productivity. However, there are chances to shine and make a lasting impression. Building a good rapport with clients may result in project extensions, which are highly valued by consulting companies. Consultants who excel in extending projects are rewarded with higher raises and promotions. If you thrive in a competitive environment, consulting is ideal for you.

I’m rambling and there is a lot more to this topic, but let’s summarize the pros and cons of the consulting world:

Pros:

Dynamic and fast paces
Quicker promotions and more money
Travel and interesting project locations

Cons:

Fast paced and lots of uncertainty
Stress and high expectations
Uncertainty of roles or work assignments

Being a consultant requires a particular mindset. Work-life balance may be challenging, with frequent on-the-road assignments. Temporary dislike of assigned work and constant self-evaluation can induce stress. However, if you progress up the chain (up-or-out), the rewards are significant.

A Successful Tech Exec Takes Risks (well informed ones)

“All courses of action are risky, so prudence is not in avoiding danger (it’s impossible) but calculating risk and acting decisively. Make mistakes of ambition and not mistakes of sloth. Develop the strength to do bold things, not the strength to suffer.“
Niccolò Machiavelli, The Prince

Risk: Every individual encounters daily risks, particularly when veering away from the comfort of routine. Evaluating the repercussions entails a crucial assessment of your strengths and vulnerabilities. As a tech exec, you will inevitably face challenging circumstances where your experience becomes indispensable in navigating tumultuous waters. Capitalizing on the wisdom of a mentor can significantly enhance your risk management capabilities. When a leader requests your trust and urges you to embrace a risky situation, even if it lies outside your comfort zone, have faith in their judgment. They have chosen you for your immense potential.

Here are a few key points to consider in order to overcome risks:

Acclimatize to the new environment:

Before diving into new situations, it’s crucial to familiarize yourself with the environment and the people. Build relationships regardless of their roles and seek to understand processes, best practices, and leverage others’ experiences for success.

Be comfortable in your shoes:

For success, be confident in your decisions. Recognize the empowerment to make choices you believe in. The support of your leadership and team fosters confidence in making tough calls.

Leverage experience and support of your mentor:

Smart decision makers value and harness the wisdom of experienced individuals. Trust in supportive leadership reduces fear of taking risks.

Be fearless and prepared for the unknown:

Every risk carries smaller unknown risks. Fear of repercussions hinders exploring all available options, resulting in self-imposed limitations and narrow operations.

Take bold moves. Risks are part of our daily lives, some consciously taken, others unbeknownst. Embrace career risks and watch yourself soar with smart choices and the right support. Progress awaits!