When you are over your head…
I’m catching the TLC television program, “The Real Deal” featuring a new episode which TLC describes as…
The Real Deal
Buy George!
TV-PG (L), CCRichard helps George, Trademark’s IT guy, buy his first house. Lessons are learned about teamwork, good investments and building first generation wealth. As the company’s computer infrastructure crumbles, tempers flare and tensions run high in the office.
Well, I bought my first home, already, but before that, I went through (somewhat) this, so I can relate to George, an IT guy who’s responsibilities grew every time the company, Trademark Properties (the reality show of the said real estate development company) expanded with more staff, new offices, etc.
One, I learned early that you don’t want to be the sole support person, especially when it comes to maintaining an e-mail server! E-mail is the number one communication tool in business with the telephone as number two, believe it or not!!! In the mid-90’s, studies came out that people felt better sending in an e-mail to technical support (or any support!) rather than sitting in a telephone wait queue and then trying to explain to a tech (especially on subsequent calls where you have to repeat it all over again). The next generation of computing users are using SMS over e-mail as my computing generation has or had(?).
Two, know your limits, and if the owner says to hire someone to help, HIRE SOMEONE! Whenever the top dog says to do something, you do it or face the consequences. Okay, you really need to understand why the boss said it, and once you do know, get the help…you are not an island, nor the know-it-all! You must understand and accept that.
And, if you can see the writing on the wall, read it several times and don’t forget it! I saw it, lost sleep, and worked on my plan out off that responsibility. I was at the end of my experience and knowledge to keep the expanding company online. And, at that time, I was an island. I no longer had tech relations since I worked as an independent IT contractor, and I was quickly losing the battle of new technologies and matching those technologies with the needs of the employer.
BTW, if you are the IT person(s), every now and then, roll something good out to the users. You can do it by cool tips and tricks or new services (after you figure out what they need!). Don’t be 100% reactive. You need a combination of proactiveness and reactiveness.
If the company is small enough, outsource the e-mail service…let others support/backup/upgrade/backup that mission-critical service! Give it to the experts that have the staff and know-how.
That’s my philosophy, in this case.
