Every now and then I get a shocking reminder of how spineless some IT managers really are. Some are nothing more than vendor patsies too scared rock the boat for fear of losing \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcface\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 with a supplier or experiencing \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcreprisal\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 from the board of their own organization \u00e2\u20ac\u201c and I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m not joking.<\/p>\n
That said, I have come across a number of IT managers who know they are the boss, can fend off sharks better than Valerie Tailor, exercise their right of competition, aggressively drive down TCO, and in doing so give justice to the profession. But let me deal with the chumps.<\/p>\n
While attending an unnamed IT vendor\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s conference some time back I was wandering the conference floor seeking end-users the way a teenage boy seeks the best-looking girls at a dance party. After finding an IT manager \u00e2\u20ac\u201c by sneaking close enough to read his name tag \u00e2\u20ac\u201c I introduced myself and told him I was a journalist covering the event and was interested in interviewing end-users to gather some objective opinions on the focal technology.<\/p>\n
I think I got about half-way through that sentence when the IT \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcmanager\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 interrupted me to say that he would like to confirm with the VENDOR to see if it was alright to speak with me. He looked like a little boy running to ask his mother if he was allowed out to play after school \u00e2\u20ac\u201c without the enthusiasm.<\/p>\n
As any journalist will tell you, that kind of repulsion is only too common so we are used to it, but due to wanting permission from a vendor? If only I received a dollar every time someone said \u00e2\u20ac\u0153don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t quote me\u00e2\u20ac\u009d to me I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d be well into retirement. Every person has the right \u00e2\u20ac\u201c depending on how public their actions are, of course \u00e2\u20ac\u201c to decline media exposure but I fail to see the reasoning behind seeking a vendor\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s permission to comment in a market where competition thrives.<\/p>\n
If you were treated in hospital would you seek the hospital\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s permission to partake in an interview with a journalist wanting to report on the level treatment it provides? No. There may be many valid reasons not to talk but caring what the hospital thinks shouldn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t be one.<\/p>\n
If the role of an industry (not consumer or tabloid) journalist is to provide the most relevant information to the professionals who read the publication, then writing about what works and what doesn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t is a good place to start.<\/p>\n
And what\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s the result of generating publicity with your experience? Influence, it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s that simple. Both positive and negative *UNBIASED* publicity about vendors is good for the industry, here\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s why.<\/p>\n
If you received a poor product or service from a vendor your first reaction might be too contact the vendor directly. Then, if the vendor values your business it will listen to you and work to repair any bad will. If the vendor doesn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t care about your business, or situation, it may choose to ignore you. That\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s where we come in.<\/p>\n
You now have two options. You can contact the media and go public about your situation. In which case you are much, much more likely to be listed to (and your situation acted upon). Would you be happy if potential customers were put off by a bad appraisal? Or even better, you could find an alternative and THEN spill your guts to the media on why you took that course of action. That way the public will witness not only why a vendor has failed to provide a customer the best possible solution, but also what a viable alternative could be. The term \u00e2\u20ac\u0153viable alternative\u00e2\u20ac\u009d is key here because, as mentioned, both positive and negative publicity about vendors is useful. Exposing vendor shortcomings warns users while promoting vendor strengths notifies them of alternatives.<\/p>\n
While trying to sweet-talk one IT manager into being interviewed about his company\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s enterprise software project, the arrogant sod said: \u00e2\u20ac\u0153why should we\u00e2\u20ac\u009d. We should for all the aforementioned reasons. Yes, end-users do have a vested interest in communicating their IT war stories. It may not be a direct interest like an IT vendor has, but there is most certainly an indirect interest.<\/p>\n
I am aware of the fact that company \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcpolicy\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 may dictate that only a blessed few may speak with the media, and anyone else who dares will face a wrath that would make the Queen of Hearts proud. It really be shouldn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t be like that.<\/p>\n
If you have any doubts about why you \u00e2\u20ac\u0153should\u00e2\u20ac\u009d bother with any media exposure, consider how it may well elevate your reputation within the organization from a perceived liability to a company strategist. Even the plebs of the IT department appreciate the value that the media provides but there\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s no way they would ever be seen as strategic as an IT manager or CIO who went on the record with their multimillion dollar projects. If you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re worried about what the board might think then why not be proactive and explain the benefits. There\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s a good chance boards will see the value in a little publicity for their organization as a whole, and see it as not just a tool for driving IT market competition.<\/p>\n
That\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s why IT managers should embrace, not shun, the media. I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m certain we\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re on your side. Please adore us for that.<\/p>\n
Rodney<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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