Well it is clear in this modern age that large corporates and large government agencies are not immune to hacks, data theft, systems outages and error. So your organization, no matter the size, is also likely to be vulnerable. Avoiding IT issues entirely may be impossible - yet you do need to get involved and understand the issues even if you are just a small business and even if you have no skills in IT at all.
It matters little whether you have a marketing or operations or any other functional background - as once you are managing you have responsibilities to protect and maintain data for your organization. The issues can be as simple as where and how things are filed (to enable an easy find) through to complex fire walls and clouds. Whilst you may not have a IT degree or knowledge you do need to protect any data of your staff, your customers, your key stakeholders, your suppliers. One can only imagine the embarrassment of explaining how personal data was stolen or publicly released - would your customer lose trust and drop your business out ?
The manager has a responsibility to mentor and overview the logic, the systems and to hire those that would likely be classed as professional or expert in IT. It is unlikely that your governance board or stakeholders would accept the premise that you did not worry about IT or had no knowledge. In this disruptive world managers and leaders need to consider disruption more generally, certainly including IT and new technology in that disruption review is now essential.
If you are a small or medium sized business it may be worth hiring an expert to review your IT systems for adequate controls - even if you have the best IT people working for you a second review can only help, as no-one surely can be on top of all the potential IT risks ?
Your leadership is tested if you have inadequate system protections - some may perceive it as not caring or being incompetent. A leader will involve the staff and stakeholders, explain the risks and how they are being addressed. Disruption appreciation training may also assist your organization prepare for the uncertain and risky environment that we are likely to experience for many years to come.
Consider hiring leaders now with additional skills ready for Disruption ! avoid the lost opportunities of having managers without the leadership skills required.
If you are a Leader or seeking to be one in the future - you need to read, read, read about Disruption NOW ! Those that fail to understand and adjust will fall behind.
Feel free to ask Dr Mat via a chat or email on Leadership, Management or change issues, advice, consulting or mentoring that you may seek.
These and other related topics feature in Dr Mats book titled "Leading and Managing Change in the Age of Disruption and Artificial Intelligence" - written for the modern professional, student and academic - in fact anyone wanting to be ahead on modern Leadership and Management issues.
Dr Mats latest book is available through Amazon (kindle version or hard copy can now be purchased) - https://www.amazon.com/dp/1787563685 . This book has been strongly endorsed - so use this link to review the endorsements, or to preview Chapter 1, table of contents and the preface from Amazon (kindle version button) - consider buying this book or recommend it to professional colleagues or friends/family, students and academics. Dr Mat also writes for a number of professional and other magazines in his quest to spread knowledge on these modern important topics.
Dr Mat is also on Twitter - @DrMat14
Consider your own specific situation and seek professional advice before acting directly in reaction to any of the tips on this website, they are intended as general advice only.
Comments