welcome
Pete Jakob IT discussions in business media always seem to cover the same topics: mid-tier businesses and tech; IT investment (too much? too little?); data storage (and the environment); information security; and whether good tech people can be good managers. more...
Pete Jakob IBM Software Group Marketing Manager (UK, Ireland & South Africa)

Insights Magazine

The print editions
Who needs insight into IT? Or better still: who doesn’t? Real Business – the award winning magazine for entrepreurs – is working with IBM Software to cut through the technology traps for today’s business.

REAL BUSINESS: INSIGHTS offers a clear, concise, no nonsense take on technology today. Because it’s about time someone did.
the magazine

Real Business Magazine
Live Links
Latest insights from the web
...........................................................................................................

Techs versus managers: the debate continues
Good points raised in a piece last week on Computerworld.com, by a "real security manager" who claims that understanding IT has made her a better manager, contrary to what some folks might argue: "I've noticed that IT and security folks will sometimes tell you what you want to hear, not what you need to know. If you don’t know the difference between fiction and reality, you've got a problem. By being technically informed while managing people and projects, no one can blow smoke up my skirt. I can tell the difference between a lame excuse for a delay and a legitimate reason why something can’t be done. That ability is priceless."

The only problem is that general managers with that level of IT knowledge are a rarity - so what's a non-tech minded manager to do? First and foremost, don't be afraid to ask probing questions of suppliers, especially when you don’t understand the technology involved. Second, make sure you’ve spelled out your expectations with IT suppliers in advance. Finally, realise that you're not alone - work collaboratively within your business and you'll be surprised what you know.

Posted: 28/11/2006 Comments: 0
Comments



Name :

Email :

URL :

Comment :

Feed Live Links Live insights from the web
search site
where next?
Looking for answers to your most pressing tech questions? There are a few routes for you to take:
IBM Business Partner search Click here to search IBM’s Premier Business Partner network, some of the UK’s best software and systems experts.

Ask IBM
Speak with IBM Software directly. Click here to email your query.
ask a guru
Looking for answers to your most pressing tech questions? There are a few routes for you to take:
QUESTION OF THE WEEK:
I run a small manufacturing business with 500 employees. Should I be worried about GRC (Governance, Risk and Compliance) issues? And if so, how can my IT help?

"We did a survey of our customers and, from 100 completed surveys, 80 per cent expected the burden...   more...