Best of IEF 2015 | People > Technology

Best of IEF 2015 | People > TechnologyA look back at the 2015 Softchoice Innovation Executive Forum

Best of IEF 2015 | People > Technology

From unlocking a digital culture, to IT’s new role at the executive table, it has never been more important for businesses to consider the “people factor” when pursuing innovative new strategies.

In fact, as was made clear countless times by the members of the Innovation Executive Forum, people are not just important to a successful digital business. They are central.

In 2015, hundreds of IEF members gathered to discuss this important theme. What follows is just a sample of the insights they shared.

Best of IEF: People > Technology

Best of IEF 2015 | People > Technology

IT’s new role: Marriage counselor

IT has been forced to adopt a different kind of a role to gain buy-in to their vision. Call it the marriage counsellor of the workplace.

Best of IEF 2015 | People > Technology

The strength of the relationships IT builds with the rest of the organization directly correlates to their success. This might be a new reality for many technologists, but it’s a crucial one if you have any hope of fostering a productive, innovative and secure atmosphere.

The idea of the marriage counselor arose at the IEF meeting in Chicago, when the IT leader of a professional sports team said the only way to prevent shadow IT was to build stronger ties and gain a deeper understanding, between IT and the users. “It’s my job to bring both parties to the table,” he said, “Everyone needs to realize we all have the same goals.”

IEF Chicago> Read the full report

Best of IEF 2015 | People > Technology

Pushing Purpose

You can ask somebody to dig a hole and they’ll probably dig for about an hour. Tell them that that hole is a well, they will do it over.

Best of IEF 2015 | People > Technology

IEF Calgary> Read the full report

At the IEF meeting in Calgary, technology leaders landed on a crucial point. There is nothing more powerful than purpose to engage workers and create job satisfaction.

From IT workers in hospitals to those in schools, remembering the impact they have on the real world is a constant motivator.

But there is a bigger, more urgent take away from this point. As more millennials crash the gates of the modern workplace, things like purpose are more important than ever. Every business will need to learn how to position their own unique purpose if they are to attract the best and brightest minds of the new generation.

Best of IEF 2015 | People > Technology

Balancing millennials with legacy

Change is just another word for something they hate.

Best of IEF 2015 | People > Technology

The workforce is changing, in a very big way. But as the IEF leaders in Washington argued, you can’t forget your legacy workers as you pave the way for the next wave of modern employees.

The challenge will be finding new ways to balance the needs of the “legacy” with the attitudes and habits of the new. Legacy workers, it turns out, seem to be adverse to change. Read the whitepaper to uncover tips to make the transition easier.

IEF Washington> Read the full report

Best of IEF 2015 | People > Technology

The war for stars

Let them focus on exciting projects, not just day-to-day ops.

Best of IEF 2015 | People > Technology

Perhaps no one knows the war for modern IT talent better than the IEF leaders in California. There, regular businesses must compete with the hottest tech startups, some with endless budgets, to staff their IT.

But the situation isn’t hopeless. Far from it. IEF members shared a number of novel ways to engage and attract today’s hottest commodity: good people. From keeping things exciting to changing your candidate pool, there was a number of excellent tips, all available in the full whitepaper.

IEF San Franciso> Read the full report

Best of IEF 2015 | People > Technology

Focus on people, adoption will follow

When users can be told directly “Why” a change is happening, it often makes it easier to swallow.

Best of IEF 2015 | People > Technology

We all know a technology is only as good as it’s level of adoption. After all, if no one uses it, how can you get any value from it?

IT leaders at the IEF meeting in Halifax had much to say about making sure adoption happens at scale. And one of the key drivers was, no surprise, how well you do at speaking to the needs and habits of your people. From electing top-level champions, to underlining “why” to make a change easier, the IEF meeting uncovered a trove of good ideas to spark adoption.

IEF Halifax> Read the full report

Best of IEF 2015 | People > Technology

Explore two more curated reports highlighting the best of IEF thought leadership from 2015.

Want more great advice from the IEF leaders?