Post on 27-Mar-2015
Keeping Up With TechnologyEvolving Your IT LeadershipKnowledge and Capabilities
Dave CunninghamShareholder, Baker Robbins & Company
dcunningham@brco.com
Business Influences
Technology Department Services
Technology Leadership
Focus on the Business Influences and the Technology Department
Services
Business Influences on Legal IT
MDPs (multi-disciplinary practices) MPTs (multi-practice teams) Cross-office Teams Mergers and Acquisitions Knowledge Management Portals Cost Containment
Upcoming Influences
Supply Chain Management Services ROI E-Business Strategies Seamless online/offline experience
Sound like GE 5 years ago?
IT Leadership Benchmarks
Corporations International Accounting Firms Some U.K. Law Firms Some U.S. Law Firms
Types of IT Organizations
Infrastructure and Staff Churning Tactical and Practical Network + Consulting Executive / Client Focused
Basic Pillars of IT Effectiveness
Operational Integrity User Support and Training Communications/Managed Expectations IT Staff Skill and Effectiveness Mgmt Project Management Vendor Management Planning and Budgeting
Advanced Pillars of IT Effectiveness
Practice Support ‘Quality/Integrity of Information’ Mgmt Value Management Risk Management
Traditional IT Skill Sets
Server and PC Technicians Help Desk Application Support Managers
Evolving Skill Sets
TraditionalServer/PCHelp DeskApp SupportManagers
EvolvingPractice Support ConsultantsDevelopersProject ManagersSecurity/Disaster RecoveryFacilitiesBusiness AnalystsInformation/Process MgmtKnowledge Mgmt
Focus on IT Leadership
Leadership Roles
Executive Director Partner-in-Charge of Technology Technology Committee e-Business Team Practice Leaders Committee Leaders: Library, New
Business, Recruiting, etc.
Technology Staff Mgmt
RoleFrom support to business liaisonFrom reactive to proactive
Level of Involvement Reporting Relationships Peer Relationships
Keeping Current
1. Have a broad context
2. Surround yourself with good people
3. Build-in check points
1. Do you have Context?
First, look backwards!
Look around.
Then, look ahead.
Examples:Looking backwards: VAX to NTLooking around: Other industries
Understanding Business Issues
David Maister (www.davidmaister.com)
Richard Susskind Vault.com Forbes and CIO Magazines American Productivity and Quality
Center (www.apqc.com)
Keeping Current on Firm Issues
Executive Meetings Casual Lunches IT/Attorney Briefings Tech Committee Agendas
Keeping Current on Products
Downplay the role of a product Don’t let salespeople intimidate Leverage briefings
Software/Hardware Vendor BriefingsConsultant Briefings
Internal cross-training
Training
Information ManagementBill Inmon
Knowledge Management Project Management Institute
Training
Practice Support Consultants Developers Project Managers Security/Disaster Recovery Facilities Business Analysts Information/Process Mgmt Knowledge Mgmt
2. Surround Yourself with Good People
Leveraging the Brains and Experience of Others
Hire and train well Leverage vendors properly Keep involved throughout the firm Keep involved in the industry
3. Ensure Checkpoints
User Surveys Client Surveys Peer Assessments Technology Assessments and
Benchmarks Strategic Planning
Follow-up
Links to favorite books on business and culture management issues
Follow-up questions
Dave Cunningham
Baker Robbins & Company
713.840.0510
dcunningham@brco.com