Results

How can two companies with similar products and services be completely different? It might be partially attributable to the personality traits of their IT managers. Do you recognize one of the IT management styles listed below? If so, keep reading to learn how your company can make the most of his or her skills.

The Researcher

The Researcher is relentless in the pursuit of information. This person will invest all the time and resources available to arrive at a decision.

Pros: Product reviews will be examined thoroughly. Vendor claims will be meticulously checked. The best price on a piece of equipment will be unearthed. The hunt, great or small, inspires the Researcher.

Cons: If too much time is spent checking facts and digging for details, the company could begin to get burned by the law of diminishing returns.

Making it work: Set clear expectations that include timelines. Confirm your Researcher understands why these items are important and that time spent gathering information is time taken away from other tasks. It’s also a good idea to give appreciation to his or her diligence – you don’t want to squash this instinct; just rein it in.

The Thinker

The Thinker is driven by the mantra “What if..?” This person can identify all the positives and negatives – from multiple angles – prior to any capital investment. Thinkers tend to be strategically focused as well. They understand that the cost of technology is not always the most important factor and naturally think in terms of ROI.

Pros: The Thinker keeps long-term goals in mind, often contributing in business areas outside of IT. Having such a strategic person in the IT role may give your company competitive advantages.

Cons: Thinkers are in high demand by companies, so they’re often more expensive to employ. In addition, they often have a tendency to over think. Situations that can be addressed with a simple solution may be given more complicated treatment.

Making it work: Make sure your Thinker is balanced by a task-driven support staff. He or she will be happier with the job and more will get done. If finding room in the budget for a Thinker and staff is an issue, consider partnering with an IT managed services vendor. These companies usually have multiple IT personalities on staff, giving you access to the best of all worlds.

The Protector

The Protector is cautious, methodical, and responsible to a fault. You can be sure that your systems and data are backed up. And a Protector will never bring in new technology without fully understanding the effects on internal procedures and security.

Pros: Protectors do everything they can to ensure that their business is, well, protected. A security breech would be received as a personal affront to this team member. Protectors are also good at watching the budget, duly vetting requests for new technology and carefully considering potential effects on operations.

Cons: The Protector can appear to be secretive and overly protective of your IT systems. As far as the Protector is concerned, you are on a “need to know” basis – and unfortunately, it’s the Protector who defines what you “need to know.”

Making it work: Schedule regular meetings with your Protector to let him or her know you’re invested in technology decisions. Set up a password tracking system that leaves you in the know. Take time to understand your company’s backup plan and confirm that you’re able to access backups without the Protector’s help. This will shield your business from negative consequences if the Protector leaves the company.

The Trendsetter

As the name implies, the Trendsetter stays on top of technology. This person’s office is littered with technology magazines and the latest gadgets available. If Trendsetters can get a sample from a vendor, they will.

Pros: With the Trendsetter driving your IT department, you’ll be known for your cutting edge approach to doing business. Since new technology tends to be productivity-enhancing, this can also be a good thing for workflow.

Cons: The Trendsetter may be easily distracted by something shiny. Money and time may be invested in gadgets your company doesn’t really need.

Making it work: Set realistic budgets and goals for the Trendsetter. Get a thorough understanding of the ‘why’ behind technology expenditures, including how they will affect the bottom line.

The Enthusiast

The Enthusiast is optimistic and futuristic in nature. People are inspired by the Enthusiast’s ideas, which means he or she can be a good ally in efforts to roll out new systems internally and in managing change.

Pros: The Enthusiast loves to learn new things, and technology continues to excite. He or she is likely to stay with a company that appreciates this quality and makes room for it. Enthusiasts also tend to be natural leaders.

Cons: It may take effort to rein in the Enthusiast. Daily routines may bore the Enthusiast who resides in a land of possibilities, not probabilities.

Making it work: Consider a second in command with some of the positive qualities of the Protector. This eye for detail will bring a nice balance to the department.