OT ... How do you explain I.T. to exec's?

[nicholas_23]

or people that dont know what it takes to keep things running? email , servers , backup's, printer server's ...... or is it really a magical black box that runs on its own?

[chadg]

take away their email or internet access for a week and they will understand. Hell, one hour at our shop and people go nuts.

[chrism]

> take away their email or internet access for
> a week and they will understand. Hell, one
> hour at our shop and people go nuts.

I like to throw in a couple of hours of "I don't know what is going on. Maybe we should have someone call the Geek Squad" and watch them all freak out.

At my last job we lost email and had to have extra meetings to get things done. The problem was that no one showed up for half of the meetings because they said they didn't get the email telling them about the meeting!!!!

[cjd]

> or people that dont know what it takes to
> keep things running? email , servers ,
> backup's, printer server's ...... or is it
> really a magical black box that runs on its
> own?

Focus on level of service for the dollar. Have statistics but try to avoid using them - simply refer to them and shuffle papers (especially if you can have pretty graphs showing something like, say, CPU utilization showing that your e-mail server is now running slow trying to deal with spam and needs upgrading...)

Show them value. This is what you get for this amount.

And above all, DON'T propose solutions before they have themselves identified the problem(s). So you have to ask questions to get them to IDENTIFY those problems.

So. What is your expectation if a server fails. How far back do we need to archive. Have them establish the guidelines, what they expect, and you build a response to that set of issues.

The biggest problem I have seen is that IT folks are far too geeky and aloof - they don't take the time to put into plain language what it is they're trying to do, and they often don't ask if it's even needed, they assume (or they avoid because they just want a new toy). They operate in an "This is how I did things where I was before so your gear is all crap and I have to replace it all with stuff costing 20 times as much" My dad used to handle services for a non-profit, so he worked to optimize budget, and he finally got sick of doing 4 jobs and left - the new guy they found they paid more than they would pay him, and he immediately came in and told them the equipment was junk (even though it had been working for years without fail...) So some of the budget was approved, new stuff came in, the space no longer worked (he couldn't get the rack he ordered Into his server room! I mean, WTF!) and it sat in a corner while the old servers got no attention... finally a new room, and since his new "better" stuff has been in they've had more problems than ever.

C

[paul_n_oneal]

> or people that dont know what it takes to
> keep things running? email , servers ,
> backup's, printer server's ...... or is it
> really a magical black box that runs on its
> own?
Hi Nick,
Merry Christmas if I don't see you before then. IT is a weird animal. They need but they don't think they need it. Remember that they pay programmers, technicians, etc that do not provide an investment on their return in the normal accounting way--Money! You must explain that if they do not upgrade and move ahead that they will die a slow death and eventually demise. Look at the big thinkers, the go getters like Larry Ellison, Bill Gates, etc. They thrive on innovation and must have the latest gadgets. This is the new world folks. If you want to succeed in todays world you have to be able to do these things and do them well.

1. You have to be able to solve problems. This sounds easy but not many people practice it--at least not at work place.
2. Embrace the new technology and use what works and dump the rest.
3. It's a world economy and it's getting closer all the time. Third world countries have better educated workforces than us. We need to fix the education system which is in the process. We to incorporate internation schools, AP schools, trade schools, and one other I forget when I read this study. Only the thinkers, and ones willing to stand up and disagree will make it in the new world. It will be none of this yes man crap to get you on the boss' good side. The new world want's "THINKERS and PROBLEM SOLVERS".

I could name a few more but it all boils down to how productive do you want your workers to be?

Paul
2.

[mikec]

One they understand.

And you need to address their unspoken fears -- especially the one that goes "Will I look dumb trying to learn this?"

Compare existing to high-mileage car. "Sure it runs now, but is that little rattle gonna get worse? When will maintainence bills equal payments on new one? What happens when we keep trying to use a pickup to do a dump-trucks job?"

HTH

________
Glass Pipes