IT professionals should take time in 2003 to enhance their perceived value and better understand business priorities, Stamford, Conn.-based Gartner Inc. advises. Here are eight guidelines to consider:
– Take inventory of your technology and business knowledge. Be honest about bare spots, and expand your knowledge.
– Get smart about the key drivers of your company’s business. Network with business counterparts to discuss their financial and operational objectives. Become the business-knowledge liaison to your IT team.
– Identify required services. By understanding your business, you will be able to identify and implement services that will help drive your company’s success. Integration, process insight and versatility will be watchwords.
– Become an evergreen professional. Pursue emerging and enduring knowledge, competencies and experiences.
– Seek leadership opportunities and accountability. This isn’t the year to lay low. Mergers and acquisitions, consolidation and globalization will increase the number of projects and internal initiatives. Step up to the plate.
– Strengthen your knowledge of business principles. There are dozens of ways to gain business acumen: accounting, communications, financial analysis, marketing, cost management and so on. Additional business know-how will enhance your career and increase your credibility in the business units within your company.
– Get connected. Network with project leaders and champions. Careers are built on both what you know and on who you know.
– Find new value in prior IT investments. Revisit the applications and technologies that have been deployed and reapply functions and features to new processes. Your success will depend on your newfound knowledge of business processes, customer markets and financial goals.
