Industry Study Reveals Need for Technology Managers to Develop Essential Relationship
Skills to Succeed and Advance Their Careers
Edizen Announces Findings from a High-Level Qualitative Market Study
(June, 2002) – A comprehensive qualitative market research study, revealed executives
and business leaders expressed a growing need for technology managers to develop the
essential relationship skills of business management – communication, delegation,
conflict resolution and promoting the intangible value of IT.
Current market realities coupled with the wavering imbalance of supply and demand for
technology professionals has changed the way companies view management and leadership
development. Overwhelming, executives participating in the study agreed that collaboration
is the new language of technology and that when you ignore the people aspects of management,
business results crash.
"In the world of information technology, most IT executives and managers fit a
specific personality profile – the typical Type A. Highly intelligent, overachievers
with the reputation for rolling up their sleeves and getting things done," said
Sharon Gazda, president of Edizen, a management consulting firm. "But these same
traits that make them successful as technologists can hamper their abilities to create
networks and build relationships across company functions.
"It's no longer enough for IT managers to be great technologists – they must
also be able to communicate vision and build value through relationships."
"The world of business is no longer black and white but shades of gray," said
Kevin Casey, Vice President of AT&T Broadband and a study participant. "Technology
leaders must have one foot in strategy and one foot in implementation in order to be
effective. It's essential that they be able to bring people with divergent views and
opinions together to achieve common goals."
The study, conducted by Edizen, consisted of one-on-one interviews with executives from
throughout the New England/New York region representing a cross-section of the IT business
landscape - big corporations, mature startups, venture capital, and outsourcing firms.
The clear message from executives: With a focus on development and leadership, organizations
can bring the skills of IT managers in line with their business vision and values.
Edizen undertook this ambitious research effort as a means to validate market trends
and better understand the real needs of high tech executives. The findings will be shared
with survey participants and will help to shape future service offerings.
Edizen represents a unique concept in business consulting. The company brings together
the principals of education and life long learning to improve individual and group performance
with the goal of helping individuals and businesses become more aware, more focused and
more effective. The company provides executive development and HR strategic planning
to large and small organizations throughout the US including AT&T Broadband, Bayer
Corporation, CIGNA, Serono Pharmaceuticals, and Turner Broadcasting.
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