Daily Cup of Tech

I knew that I was in trouble the moment I mentioned bluetooth and one of the managers indicated that he was not prepared to talk about the dental plan. It went down hill from there.

As technical personnel, a major part of our job is knowing how technology works and ensuring that the companies we work for do not get themselves into trouble with these technologies. We spend out time and energy learning, analyzing, and securing networks and systems.

So, when a non-technical manager or person in authority has control over your projects and budget, it is in your best interest be be able to work with them. The purpose of this post is to provide you, the computer professional, with some practical advice that you can use when dealing with non-technical managers.

Come Prepared

I think that this goes for any presentation, regardless of the department you work in. Have a presentation ready that explains what you want to do and why you want to do it. Make sure that you have properly researched the areas you will be discussing and anticipate the questions that the managers may ask. If you can’t answer their questions immediately, then tell them you will get back to them with the answer and actually get back to them!

Talk To Their Management Area

When meeting with specific management groups, talk to their area of expertice. For example, talk budget with accounting and mobile computing with sales. Remember to emphasize how these changes will specifically benefit their area.

Don’t Geek Out

Don’t start babbling about DHCP reservations and 802.11G wireless standards. Managers don’t know and don’t care to know about the technical aspects of the project. That want to know about benefits and timelines. Stick to these topics.

Provide Options and Scenarios

Most mamagers can’t navigate the complex micro-options that make up technical solutions. This is like going to a car lot and having the sales manager ask you if you want the engine out put to be 141 kW , 190 HP SAE @ 7,800 rpm. Unless you are a real car guy you aren’t going to know. All you want is for it to go when you press the gas and stop when you press the brake.

The same goes for IT solutions. You will be much better received if you come up with three to five options and explain the pros and cons of each. This way, the managers feel they are making an informed decision and you have given them something that they can understand.

Be Clear And Concise

Be sure that the content of your presentation is something that everyone understands without asking too many questions. Making your manager look like an idiot will not garner you any favours. Also, if the presentation is too confusing, managers will generally not ask any question because they feel it is not worth the effort to understand what is going on and they will deny you your project.

Don’t Just Talk Tech

It’s OK to talk some tech but the interests in the room often include more than people’s opinions about the latest operating system. Know something about the people you are meeting with and their interests. If you have to, do some research (on the Internet, of course) about their hobbies. You can then make conversation about soem of their interests as well. When you show interest in others, they are more likely to take an interest in your projects.

If You Have To, Pull Rank

Sometimes, despite your best efforts, you simply cannot get the concepts through to management. This is when you may have to emphasize that you are most qualified to make decisions and recommendations in these areas. But, be careful. Because if you sell them using this technique, it is your reputation that is on the line and you had better be certain that you can pull off what you say you can!

Give Them The Credit

Managers love to authorize their own projects. A trick that I use (which I learned when I was a councelor at summer camp!) is to present most of an idea or concept but come up just short of giving them the solution. If you do this right, they will come up with this great “idea” that you will agree with whole heartedly (because it is what you originally wanted to do). It is rare for a manager to not authorize their own ideas.

Find Champions

Before the meeting, find someone whom you believeto be sympathetic to your project and take them out for coffee. Take some time to address the project in detail and get them in your corner. This way, when you walk into the meeting, you aren’t alone. And often, other managers can express details in a way that you can’t so that everyone understands what you are doing.

Also, a champion can help turn the tides to your favour because it suddenly is no longer just an IT issue. “Well, if Jones thinks it is a good idea, it’s good enough for me!”

Dress The Part

IT people have a repution of being at one end of two extremes. Either they are the pierced punker or the pocket protector wielding nerd. Try your best to dress to the occasion. Throw on a jacket and tie and leave the pocket protector at home. Trade in your leather jacket for a good pair of leather shoes. If they look at you and feel you are someone they can take seriously, there is a much greater chance that your projects will get approval.

Conclusion

While these tips will not guarantee that you will get your World of Warcraft server project authorized but it will definitely help the next time you need to make a presentation to management.

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