To achieve this, start by making employees aware of the importance of
the data they help to gather. Encourage accuracy and demonstrate to
employees how their active participation in the process can reap rewards
they might not have thought of.
Because your job as IT manager will continue to get more and more
hectic, you'll want to continually look for ways to improve speed and
quality while reducing rising costs.
Problem #2 - Rising Costs
Rising costs are a challenge for any manager. They are especially
troubling to an IT manager working in the electronic data processing
area.
Industry experts show that, despite various "old systems" existing,
resources are only used at about 30% of their optimal performance. This
leaves room for 70% improvement without an excessive outlay of cash.
To increase ROI using existing resources, consider:
- Conducting a survey of departments. Ask what their primary
challenges are with the existing systems. The majority of the time the
solutions lie within untapped features of existing resources. Search
the systems for solutions and provide them.
- Getting clear definitions of problems. Oftentimes, employees may
not know how to communicate the problems they face in IT language.
This may relate to an ill-suited solution. Take time to work with
employees or department heads to clearly outline challenges so you are
equipped to find solutions more quickly and accurately.
- Looking for ways to integrate. A smooth flow of information always
increases productivity. When possible, work to find ways to integrate
existing systems. With a little ingenuity on your part, and a little
creativity, you can develop solutions without budget increases.
Problem #3 - Insufficient Sensitivity Concerning Data Security
As the complexity of electronic data processing increases, security
often decreases. Not only does this pose problems in the form of
breaches, it also has legal ramifications with regard to licenses.
From healthcare companies to financial organizations, the US
government is cracking down on lax security. The smart IT manager is
taking steps now to not only stress the importance of security to those
in his/her company, but to also instill the necessary protective
measures.
To help others within your organization understand how sensitive
certain data is, create a memo or site page explaining:
- what security measures are currently in place,
- why these measures exist,
- the consequences (internally and externally) for not following
security procedures, and
- whom to contact with questions/issues regarding security.
Although an IT managers job is continually evolving and becoming more
challenging, there are ways to overcome pressing problems. By looking at
each situation from a variety of angles, you'll be able to define
problems quickly and accurately, and then offer solutions that will
benefit you, your team, and your entire company.
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