A modern IT organization thrives when highly connected and integrated with its business partners. When properly trained, technology management and staff become highly influential members of an organization. But to get there, technology organizations must put aside traditional thinking and training and embrace new skills, strategies, and approaches that are more business-focused and human-centered.
Becoming an impactful technology leader requires more than just technical knowledge – it is an art form that takes time and practice to master. Learning the science behind the role is helpful; learning the art is invaluable.
This workshop teaches participants how to master the art of becoming a business-focused technology professional using a combination of classroom and experiential learning led by an instructor with deep expertise in building impactful IT organizations and developing top technology leaders.
Curriculum
The High-Performing Technology Professional workshop curriculum is delivered in two sessions, held over two days for in-person classes and three days virtually.
Day 1 – Developing a Business Focus for Technology Professionals
Understandably, most technology professionals focus on the technical aspects of their profession. However, as technology has become more ubiquitous in business, technology professionals must think and act as businesspeople.
The curriculum for Day 1 of the class focuses on these elements, defining what great looks like in “The DNA of a High-Performing Technology Professional,” followed by a critical topic on “Developing Meaningful Relationships.”
The DNA of a High-Performing Technology Professional
- What “High-Performance” looks like
- The ingredients needed to build credibility with business partners
- Key characteristics deployed by high-performers and how they are used to drive meaningful relationships and successful outcomes
- Critical competencies around human connection, understanding sources of power and influence, thought leadership, and driving/delivering results
- The difference between “Good” and “Great” to drive excellence in Technology
- The different roles Technology professionals can play to increase effectiveness when interacting with business partners
Developing Meaningful Relationships
- Mastering the human aspect of relationships
- The three stages of effective relationship-building
- Developing your “inward” and “outward” views to enhance your ability to connect with key stakeholders
- The power of empathy and values and how to use them to form meaningful relationships with business partners
- Effectively engaging with stakeholders and colleagues
- How to work with business partners so they see you as part of their team, not as a technical resource or member of another organization
Day 2 – Developing a Business Focus for Technology Professionals
The curriculum for Day 2 of the High-Performing Technology Professional class dives into some of the key skills utilized by top performers in Technology. They are highly beneficial to all Technology professionals who interact with business partners, whether product owners, business analysts, Technology managers, architects, technical experts, or project managers.
Critical Skills for High-Performing Technology Professionals
- An immersive review of the critical skills vital to high-performing Technology professionals
- How to effectively allocate time to those areas most important to making an impact
- Identifying, managing, and evolving relationships with key stakeholders
- The importance of setting and managing proper expectations to provide clarity and commitment and build trust with business partners
- Using communications and storytelling to inform, influence, and connect
- The power of Executive Presence in providing forward-thinking leadership to help business partners meet their strategic goals
Making an Impact
- How to positively affect results, increase effectiveness, and inspire growth
- Influencing business-partner strategies; aligning Technology investments with business-partner direction
- Providing valuable insights to business partners to help empower improved planning and decision-making
- Key methods used to drive growth, innovation, and efficiency throughout the organization
What Attendees Learn
- Critical professional development skills for business-focused Technology professionals
- Key characteristics of high performers
- How to build meaningful relationships with business partners and colleagues
- The importance of the “human factor” in relationships
- Valuable skills to manage time, stakeholders, and expectations
- The power of storytelling – how to communicate effectively and influentially
- How to positively impact business partner plans and operations
- Methods to influence Technology strategies and investments to empower business partners to meet their goals
- Approaches to empower business partners with actionable and insightful information
- How to drive innovation with business partners
Who Should Attend?
Any technology professional or leader in a “business-facing” role. This includes IT leadership, product owners, technical experts, project managers, business analysts, technology managers, service desk professionals, enterprise architects, and others who may interact with or design solutions for business partners in your organization.
Duration
Two days (in-person); Three five-hour sessions (virtual)
Upcoming Workshops
- May 15-16, 2025, 9:00 am – 4:30 pm EST (NYC)
- June 16-17, 2025, 9:00 am – 4:30 pm EST (NYC)
- July 21-22, 2025, 9:00 am – 4:30 pm EST (Boston)
Please contact us for information on in-person or virtual group workshops for your organization.
