In today’s fast-paced world of technology and business, a clear vision and a well-defined IT strategy are non-negotiable for success. It’s not merely about knowing what you want to achieve; it’s about understanding how to get there and ensuring that every member of your team is aligned with this direction.
A clear vision acts as the North Star for your team. It provides a shared understanding of the ultimate goal, keeping everyone motivated and focused. Your vision should inspire while remaining achievable, resonating with both your team and stakeholders. Think of it as answering the question, “What do we want to be when we grow up?”
While technology plays a pivotal role, a robust strategy encompasses much more, and should include four key pillars:
- Customer Impact,
- Business Impact,
- People, and
- Technology.
For the IT folks here: note that “customer impact” refers to the end customer, don’t define your business as your customer, as this shifts the focus from partnering with the business to merely executing its directives. We’ll explore this topic further in July.
1. Customer Impact
Prioritize understanding and meeting customer needs to enhance satisfaction and deliver tangible benefits. Align your strategy with overall business goals to ensure your efforts contribute to growth and success. Don’t shy away from meeting with customers. There’s no better way to grasp what works and what doesn’t than hearing it directly from the source. Just ensure that your business stays engaged and well-informed throughout the process. When you effectively navigate this relationship, collaborating with the business becomes significantly easier: One step forward with a customer translates to two steps forward for the business.
2. Business Impact
To drive growth and success, align your strategy with overall business goals. Understanding the business’s needs and priorities is paramount. My team and I once conducted over 150 hours of business interviews, delving into pain points, needs, and aspirations. The result? An 18-month rolling roadmap focused on business impact, not just chasing shiny objects that make the IT folks excited but have little impact on supporting the business growth. This shift proved invaluable as we transitioned from a disconnected IT department to a strategic business partner with a seat at the board. Although the journey took three months to initiate (a short time in retrospect), don’t be discouraged by the road ahead, it’s not as long as it may seem.
3. People
Recognize that your team is your greatest asset—clearly define roles, encourage ownership, and foster engagement. Effective communication is paramount, so don’t hide your strategy away assuming that since you know it, everyone else does too. Regularly share updates and foster a feedback-friendly environment. Your team relies on you to guide them on how to work, respond to business requests, and interact with each other. Speak up and empower your team members by providing information, granting autonomy, and encouraging them to contribute to the strategy. This approach will foster innovation and commitment.
4. Technology
Viewing technology as a means to achieve your vision is essential. Cloud migration, ERP implementation, and all the steps in between are only part of a broader strategic context, they are not “the” strategy. Imagine an F1 team meticulously fine-tuning the engine, optimizing every horsepower. Vital work, no doubt. Yet, if they neglect tire selection, aerodynamics, and race strategy, they won’t win the championship. Similarly, IT can’t afford to focus solely on the backend improvements, those few people in the business might appreciate but don’t directly impact their daily work. When IT misses the mark, you’ll hear phrases like:
- “This is great, but what does it do to help me?”
- “Cool, but where is my report?”
These questions signal a disconnect. The partner discussion has slipped away, and the business now views IT as a service provider, a necessary but transactional entity. To avoid this, IT must actively engage with business stakeholders, understand their pain points, and align technology initiatives with tangible outcomes. It’s not just about the engine; it’s about winning the race together. IT often gets so engrossed in the technical intricacies that it loses sight of its primary role, working alongside the business.
The business landscape evolves constantly. Be open to feedback and adapt your plans accordingly. Continuously assess the impact of your strategy on customers, the business, and your team, and adjust as needed to stay on course. Review your strategy at least yearly and make adjustments as needed.
By setting a clear vision and developing a comprehensive strategy that embraces customer impact, business impact, people, and technology, you’ll steer your team toward success. But remember, it’s not just about having a plan; it’s about executing it effectively and ensuring everyone is aligned and empowered to contribute to shared goals.
Enjoying this brief read? This newsletter is published weekly. Subscribe now!
Thought of the week
“A vision without a strategy remains an illusion.”
Lee Bolman
I Recommend –
Here’s one Ted Talk I recommend: