keeping up with technology evolving your it leadership knowledge and capabilities by dave...

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 AcquisitionsKnowledge ManagementPortalsCost Containment

Upcoming Influences

Supply Chain ManagementServices ROIE-Business StrategiesSeamless online/offline experience

Sound like GE 5 years ago?

IT Leadership Benchmarks

CorporationsInternational Accounting FirmsSome U.K. Law FirmsSome U.S. Law Firms

Types of IT Organizations

Infrastructure and Staff ChurningTactical and PracticalNetwork + ConsultingExecutive / Client Focused

Basic Pillars of IT Effectiveness

Operational IntegrityUser Support and TrainingCommunications/Managed ExpectationsIT Staff Skill and Effectiveness MgmtProject ManagementVendor ManagementPlanning and Budgeting

Advanced Pillars of IT Effectiveness

Practice Support‘Quality/Integrity of Information’ MgmtValue ManagementRisk Management

Traditional IT Skill Sets

Server and PC TechniciansHelp DeskApplication SupportManagers

Evolving Skill SetsTraditional

Server/PCHelp DeskApp SupportManagers

EvolvingPractice Support ConsultantsDevelopersProject ManagersSecurity/Disaster RecoveryFacilitiesBusiness AnalystsInformation/Process MgmtKnowledge Mgmt

Focus on IT Leadership

Leadership Roles

Executive DirectorPartner-in-Charge of TechnologyTechnology Committeee-Business TeamPractice LeadersCommittee Leaders: Library, New Business, Recruiting, etc.

Technology Staff Mgmt

RoleFrom support to business liaisonFrom reactive to proactive

Level of InvolvementReporting RelationshipsPeer 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 SusskindVault.comForbes and CIO MagazinesAmerican Productivity and Quality Center (www.apqc.com)

Keeping Current on Firm Issues

Executive MeetingsCasual LunchesIT/Attorney BriefingsTech Committee Agendas

Keeping Current on Products

Downplay the role of a productDon’t let salespeople intimidateLeverage briefings

Software/Hardware Vendor BriefingsConsultant Briefings

Internal cross-training

Training

Information ManagementBill Inmon

Knowledge ManagementProject Management Institute

Training

Practice Support ConsultantsDevelopersProject ManagersSecurity/Disaster RecoveryFacilitiesBusiness AnalystsInformation/Process MgmtKnowledge Mgmt

2. Surround Yourself with Good People

Leveraging the Brains and Experience of OthersHire and train wellLeverage vendors properlyKeep involved throughout the firmKeep involved in the industry

3. Ensure Checkpoints

User SurveysClient SurveysPeer AssessmentsTechnology Assessments and BenchmarksStrategic Planning

Follow-up

Links to favorite books on business and culture management issuesFollow-up questions

Dave CunninghamBaker Robbins & Company

713.840.0510dcunningham@brco.com