get ready for exponential IT
To keep up with the fast pace of technological changes IT professionals need to take advantage of new tools that can give businesses a competitive edge.
Are you ready for the pace of technical change?
Over the next decade, expect to see more technological progress than we've seen in the last 100 years, with new innovations expanding what we can do. To get ready, we've identified some challenges that need attention.
IT Leadership as full Business Leader Partners: Many organizations, by design or oversight, see IT as just a cost center and support service, rather than as a strategic partner with the expertise to offer innovative solutions when included in strategic planning.
No time like NOW: While some organizations fully embrace the required changes in IT operations and skill sets, others are adopting a "wait and see" approach before making adjustments to their in-house IT teams.
Lack of plans that align with business objectives: Every business should create an IT plan that aligns with the Strategic Business Plan. Without this alignment, IT teams may focus on tasks that are helpful but not truly impactful.
Engage the teams: The Exponential IT revolution demands specialized skills and expertise. IT teams, their leaders, and organizational leadership must actively engage in shifting how IT interacts, sets expectations, communicates, and trains.
You can’t be good at Everything: With technology evolving so quickly, no IT team can be experts in everything. It's important to assess IT practices and processes to identify areas that can be handled by trusted, specialized vendors, allowing the IT team to focus on using their organizational knowledge to deliver business solutions.
We can help ensure you are ready.
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Exponential IT Preparation
To be ready and successful, organizations must execute on the following four actions:
Create a Plan
Action: Nothing in any organization is independent of a technology component. Establish a clear strategic vision that necessitates IT planning within the processes and functions that align with business objectives.
Benefit: Maximizes the return on business investments by directing IT resources toward high-impact technical projects, ensuring the ongoing support of the current functions.
Prepare People
Action: Train and upskill employees for transformational change. Address fears of job displacement. Focus performance on business goals, not tasks like managing servers or resolving tickets. Adjust the IT structure to meet future needs.
Benefit: Prepares the organization for a new relationship between Business Leadership and IT Leadership.
Enhance and Expedite IT Technology Delivery
Action: Identify the services that can be outsourced to trusted, specialized service providers. Encourage IT leadership to prioritize managing vendor relationships to provide ongoing support, allowing IT team members to research and implement innovative technical solutions that positively impact the business.
Benefit: Improves the speed and quality of technical changes.
Evaluate Impact and Adjust
Action: Plan and implement a system of measurement and results and measure the plans and results. Organizational change is not one-and-done; it is an iterative process.
Benefit: Continues improving the relationships between IT and Business Leaders. Ensures that IT is prepared to provide innovative, timely solutions to improve operational efficiency and effective solutions using the tools available at the speed of technology change.
Increase operational efficiency and productivity, technology advice and innovation, improved customer and employee experience through MSSBTA’s 3-point IT Advisory Process
Organizational Readiness Assessment
IT Assessment
Recommendations and Roadmap
We conduct a comprehensive view of the Business and CIO alignment to ensure that Business Strategic and the Technical Plan align.
We complete a review of IT plans, processes, and practices to ensure that they are using the best practices, the satisfaction of users with IT, and its readiness for exponential IT.
We provide an analysis of the information from all the assessment information with recommendations and create a roadmap for moving forward.
FAQs
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What is the Transformation Leader of the Year award?The Transformation Leader of the Year Award is MSS Business Transformation Advisory’s (MSSBTA) way to recognize Arizona leaders and teams who are driving successful transformation initiatives. The award gives them a platform to promote their organizations and be recognized as innovators and change-makers.
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When are the Transformation Leader of the Year award nominations open?Transformation Leader of the Year award nominations open in January and continue through the Governor’s Celebration of Innovation nomination period, usually around mid-July.
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MSSBTA strongly encourages nominations from qualified organizations that include but not limited to:Emerging or Hyper-growth companies – $5M to $49M in revenue Mid-market companies – $50M to $999M in revenue Enterprise companies – over $1B in revenue Public Sector agencies – municipal, county, and state agencies Non-profit organizations – of any size Higher Education – public or private institutions K-12 Education – public or private institutions
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How are the Transformation Leaders recognized?Transformation Leader nominees are recognized a few ways: Through quarterly virtual panels with fellow nominees and local business leaders. Through transformation story videos shared on social media. Nominees are recognized, and the winner announced at the Governor’s Celebration of Innovation gala event. This is a high-profile event sponsored by Arizona Technology Council, Arizona Commerce Authority, and Avnet.
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What does the judging committee look for in a nomination?Without giving too much away, the committee is always impressed by measurable metrics and quantifiable results. Specifics are important. Examples of how your leader successfully guided the company/agency/department/district through a major transformation or change in how it operates are expected. Organization size doesn’t matter, the success story does.
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Who can submit a nomination?Just about anyone can submit a nomination. This is your opportunity to recognize people from within your department, agency, company, etc. Don’t be shy, put your own hat in the ring if you want to share how you successfully navigated your company through major business or digital transformation in the previous year.
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Is it for Arizona-based organizations only?Yes, the Transformation Leader of the Year award is open to organizations throughout the state of Arizona, and there is no cost to participate.