A great Information Systems Manager, also known as an Information Technology (IT) manager, is really invaluable to your company. I have worked in the software business for close to 30 years and sometimes IS Managers can be the largest obstacle for modernization and progress. Sometimes it may be their personality, their upper management, over-all workload or even politics behind some of the reasons they slow progress. However, I am impressed by how many AMAZING IS Managers are in our working force today. Let me share the qualities they possess.
They Are Smart
I’ve never met an IS Manager that has a simple job. IS Managers must help manage, design, support, explain, trouble-shoot, secure and monitor their companies information systems. In smaller companies they do even more than that. You’ll see them managing not only computer systems but phone systems, building security systems etc. I have worked with some of the most intelligent people in IT. You know it because technology is always changing and even though a college education is important, just being technical and inquisitive in nature, amazing IT people grasp onto newer things quickly. You know the kids that used to take their toys apart and put them back together? Yep, great material for future success in IT.
They Know When and How to Communicate
The primary role is to manage, design, and monitor information systems in a variety of settings. They oversee staff that plan, install, and maintain hardware and software upgrades. They must be effective communicators and have the ability to multi-task. They also know when to communicate with vendors, employers, other team members etc. Many times they will need to unify multiple parties across multiple platforms to get things accomplished. Clear and effective communication is key.
They Care About Their Company’s Growth
So many times when we have attempted to present our WMS and Shipping solution to certain IS people, they have quickly shut us down. They say they do their own customizations in house or they just are not interested. However, at the best of times the IS people conclude, if we already have all the functionality built into our product, maybe their company should take a look at it.
They Know They Don’t Know Everything
The IS heroes in my book, are the professional people who realize they don’t know everything and value other vendors or professionals with complimenting expertise. I cannot tell you, how nice it is to work with humble professionals who can coordinate projects, pool knowledge and keep things moving in a productive manner. No one can know everything, well if you know someone like this, let me know.
In Conclusion
A huge hats off to my information system manager heroes. You’re so important and if no one told you that today, I just did.
