Being a Tech Exec Archives

Let Your Talent Shine and Age Will Not Matter

I recently had a conversation with a tech executive about the prevalence of ageism in the tech industry. Despite being in his late 60s, he finds himself unemployed, struggling to secure a new position. He is healthy, energetic, and takes good care of himself, yet he feels his opportunities are being thwarted by his age, judged perhaps by his appearance. My advice to him was to persist, highlighting his extensive tech exec skills and experience. This discussion reminded me of an article I read about Grandma Moses, illustrating that talent and drive can transcend age.

“Life is what we make it, always has been, always will be.”
Grandma Moses

If you haven’t heard of Grandma Moses, she’s a testament to late-blooming talent. A self-taught artist, she began painting at 78 and didn’t stop until she was 101. Now, her art sells for about $1.2 million. Her story shows that it’s never too late to follow your dreams. Like her, we can all learn, grow, and achieve greatness, no matter our age. We shouldn’t let societal norms or doubts hold us back. Instead, let’s pursue our passions and aim for growth. As a tech executive, it’s our role to encourage and support this pursuit in others. By acknowledging and nurturing potential, we inspire change and help others achieve their best. Our actions can have a lasting impact, inspiring future generations just as Grandma Moses’ art does.

Tech Exec - Grandma Moses defying ageism in technology

In today’s fast-paced world, we often put pressure on ourselves to achieve success at a young age. Society glorifies the idea of “prodigies” and expects individuals to have their lives figured out at a young age. However, the concept of late-blooming challenges this societal norm and encourages individuals to pursue their passions and talents regardless of their age or circumstances.

Late-blooming extends beyond artistic careers like Grandma Moses’ painting; it’s relevant to a tech executive, entrepreneurship, education, and personal development too. Many successful entrepreneurs, including the founders of KFC and Airbnb, didn’t hit their stride until later in life. Likewise, those pursuing higher education in later years often find significant career satisfaction and success. Late-blooming encourages us to welcome change and seize new opportunities. As we grow older, our views and priorities can shift, unveiling new passions or talents previously unnoticed. It’s always possible to try something new and chase our dreams, even if it means deviating from our original plan. Additionally, late-blooming reminds us that success isn’t time-bound. Achieving our goals and creating a lasting legacy can happen at any age, driven by our determination.

In conclusion, age should never be a barrier to letting your talent shine. Embracing late-blooming allows us to appreciate the distinct path it carves, challenging societal expectations, fostering personal development, and inspiring us to relentlessly pursue our dreams. Therefore, rather than viewing late blooming with apprehension, let’s welcome it with open arms, eager to see where this journey leads us. It might just guide us to our most significant accomplishments. Let’s continue to bloom, regardless of our age, persistently learning, growing, and chasing our passions and capabilities, for age should never hinder success and fulfillment.

Click here for a post on how to hire the top tech talent.

How a Tech Executive Negotiates for Salary

There are a few key steps that you can take to negotiate for a salary as a tech executive, or up and coming tech exec. The first is to do your research and know your worth. This means understanding the market rate for similar roles in your industry, taking into account factors such as experience, skills, and location.

Once you know your value in the job market, prepare for negotiation. Understand your skills, experience, and achievements that benefit the company. Know your ideal salary range considering living costs, benefits, and growth opportunities. Be ready to confidently communicate your value and negotiate your salary. Approach negotiations with confidence, clearly express your expectations, and advocate for yourself. Stay positive, open to compromise in the give-and-take process.

When negotiating for a tech executive salary, understand the company’s needs. Highlight your skills that align with their priorities. Be prepared for obstacles like budget constraints or objections. Networking with industry peers can provide valuable insights. Having a mentor experienced in executive salary negotiations can offer guidance.

Negotiating a tech executive salary requires prep, confidence, & understanding the company’s priorities. Gathering info, building relationships, & advocating effectively can boost chances of a fair package. Ongoing discussions and advocating for your worth lead to long-term growth and satisfaction. Speak up and negotiate for what you deserve!

Click here on a post about tech executive salaries.

Integrating Workday, SAP, and ServiceNow – does it make sense?

In the digital age, a tech exec must seek ways to enhance operations, often by adopting software solutions for different organizational aspects. However, the challenge arises when ensuring seamless communication between multiple systems. Integration is key. It allows for data exchange and keeps systems updated and efficient. Many a tech executive is currently dealing with the struggles of integrating Workday, SAP, and ServiceNow – key solutions for HR, finance, and IT service management. We’ll provide some thoughts on integrating these systems and offer tips for successful integration.

Understanding the Systems

Before diving into the intricacies of integration, it’s essential for a tech executive to have a basic understanding of each system. Let’s take a brief look at what Workday, SAP, and ServiceNow offer:

Workday: A cloud-based HR management system that handles everything from payroll and benefits to talent acquisition and performance management.
SAP: An enterprise resource planning (ERP) system that integrates various business functions such as finance, sales, and inventory management.
ServiceNow: A cloud-based IT service management solution that streamlines the delivery of IT services across an organization.

The Benefits of Integration

Integrating Workday, SAP, and ServiceNow can bring numerous benefits to organizations, including:

Efficiency: By automating the exchange of data between systems, integration reduces manual effort and streamlines processes.
Data Accuracy: With data being synced across all systems, there is less room for human error or discrepancies in information.
Real-time Insights: Integration provides real-time access to data, allowing for better decision-making and faster response times.
Cost Savings: By eliminating the need for manual data entry and reducing errors, integration can save organizations time and money.

The Challenges of Integration

Despite the benefits, integrating Workday, SAP, and ServiceNow can be a complex endeavor for a tech exec. Some of the common challenges include:

Different Data Structures: Each system has its unique data structure, making it difficult to map and transfer data seamlessly.
Data Security: With sensitive information being exchanged between systems, ensuring data security and compliance can be a challenge.
Limited Functionality: Integrating multiple systems may require sacrificing some functionality as not all features can be fully integrated.
Ongoing Maintenance: As systems are updated and new features are added, ongoing maintenance and support for the integration may be necessary.

Best Practices for Successful Integration

To ensure a successful integration of Workday, SAP, and ServiceNow, a tech exec should consider following these best practices:

Define Clear Objectives: Clearly defining the goals and expected outcomes of the integration can help guide the process and measure success.
Choose a Reliable Integration Platform: Selecting a reliable and robust integration platform can streamline the process and ensure data accuracy.
Prioritize Data Security: Implementing strong security measures, such as encryption and access controls, should be a top priority in any integration project.
Collaborate with IT Teams: Working closely with IT teams can help identify potential challenges and ensure smooth communication between systems.
Regular Testing and Monitoring: Conducting regular testing and monitoring of the integration can help identify and address any issues or discrepancies.
Document Processes: Creating a comprehensive documentation of the integration process can serve as a reference for future maintenance and troubleshooting.

The Future of Integration

As technology advances, integration becomes crucial for business operations. The growth of cloud systems and the need for seamless data sharing means a tech exec must keep up with integration trends. As businesses go global, dealing with multiple currencies and languages, integrations will get more complex but are essential for efficiency. Advances in AI and machine learning will simplify integration by automating data mapping and transformations, streamlining processes and enhancing accuracy.

Conclusion

A tech executive must recognize the vital role of integration in contemporary business operations. It’s imperative for them to prioritize integration continually, ensuring their organization keeps pace with technological advancements to maintain competitiveness in the dynamic digital arena. Therefore, it’s crucial for a tech executive to consistently evaluate and refine integration strategies, adapting to the evolving demands and needs of the business landscape.

Please click here for an explanation of what ERP platforms are.

Please click here for a post on the tough decisions integrating HR software.

Importance of Cybersecurity Awareness Training

Continuing our cyber controls discussion, personnel are crucial in defense. They can be a weak link or a key defense against cyber threats. As a tech executive, consistent cybersecurity awareness training is vital. It ensures all employees understand their role in info security.

Here are strategies for an effective awareness program.

Regularly train employees: Ensure employees are aware of evolving cybersecurity threats and are equipped to identify and prevent attacks. Use workshops, online modules, or interactive simulations for engagement and up-to-date knowledge.
Encourage a “zero-trust” mindset: In today’s interconnected world, it’s vital to instill this mindset in employees. They shouldn’t automatically trust any email, website, or person seeking sensitive info. By verifying requests skeptically, employees can avoid falling for phishing or other tricks.
Use real-life examples: To emphasize cybersecurity’s importance, demonstrate actual cyber-attacks and their outcomes. This can include case studies, news articles, or security expert demos. Seeing the impact firsthand helps employees prioritize cybersecurity.
Make training interactive: Traditional methods may be boring. Keep employees engaged with interactive elements like quizzes, games, or role-playing scenarios to apply knowledge in real-life.
Offer learning resources: Cybersecurity evolves constantly, hence the need for accessible tools like newsletters, webinars, online courses, and certifications. Continuous learning empowers employees to stay informed on current threats and best practices.
Lead by example: As a tech executive in your organization, it’s crucial to demonstrate cybersecurity best practices. Follow security protocols yourself to set a strong example for your employees, influencing them to prioritize cybersecurity too.
Promote a security culture: Establishing a robust cybersecurity culture is vital for protecting sensitive data. Encourage open communication, report suspicious activity, and reinforce security practices. Cultivating this culture ensures employees prioritize cybersecurity daily.

In today’s digital age, cyber-attacks threaten businesses.

Cybersecurity awareness training with interactive elements, ongoing resources, a tech exec leading, and promoting a security culture can minimize risks. Cybersecurity is everyone’s responsibility. Let’s unite against cyber criminals to safeguard our organizations.

Click here to see a post on the importance of a tech exec understanding cyber threats.

Click here for a post on the value of CISSP certification.

A Tech Exec Needs to Understand Cyber Threats

If you’re a tech executive leading an IT organization, understanding the various exploits hackers use to breach your network is crucial. Hiring a seasoned Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) is essential. However, having a CISO doesn’t mean you can ignore the risks. Awareness and education are key in preventing cyber-attacks. But what are the techniques hackers use to exploit vulnerabilities?

One of the most common methods used by hackers is social engineering. This involves manipulating individuals within an organization through psychological tactics and deception in order to gain access to confidential information or sensitive systems. This can include phishing emails, phone calls, or even in-person interactions where the hacker poses as a legitimate employee or authority figure.

Another tactic used by hackers is malware attacks. Malware refers to any type of malicious software that is designed to infiltrate a computer system and cause harm. This can be done through viruses, trojans, worms, or spyware. Hackers may use various techniques to distribute malware, such as through infected emails or by exploiting vulnerabilities in software.

Ransomware attacks are increasingly common. They involve encrypting data, demanding payment for decryption. These attacks are harmful, causing financial loss and operational disruptions for businesses. Hackers use brute force attacks, using automated software to guess passwords. This method relies on luck and persistence rather than specific information.

Hackers may also use physical methods like accessing an organization’s premises or using devices to gain system entry. It emphasizes the need for robust physical security measures, such as restricting sensitive area access and monitoring devices. A tech exec should understand common hacking methods, defend against them with cybersecurity measures, update software and hardware, train employees on security, and conduct regular audits. An incident response plan for cyber-attacks is vital, covering containment, damage mitigation, and data restoration.

Hackers employ various methods to breach computer systems and cause harm. Organizations must remain vigilant, implement strong security measures to defend against threats, and safeguard sensitive data. For a tech executive, ongoing education and adapting to evolving hacking techniques are crucial for strong cybersecurity practices. As technology progresses, a tech exec must ensure security protocols are updated for a safer digital environment. Stay informed, prepared, and united against cyber threats.

Please click here to see a post on cyber security in the cloud.

Please click here to see a post on the importance of cyber security awareness training.