IT has evolved as a practice and a department. We’re not the same group, and we certainly don't have the same skill set that we had ten years ago. In the past, IT was allowed to focus only on the technical details of how something was going to be deployed. Today we talk about everything, from finance — whether that’s balance sheets, Capex/Opex or EBITDA — to digital marketing plans and the five Ps (product, place, promotion, price and profit). With each passing year, I feel that we’re rounding out our abilities to help serve our companies across all different business areas at a much higher level and with vastly more industry specific knowledge.
Do misperceptions persist? Yes, in certain areas. “You guys just have the analytical kind of mindset,” is something we hear a lot, despite the fact that many creative types, such as musicians, live in IT. Other stereotypes about the IT crowd — that we’re just the math guys/uber-geeks, or that we’re still down in the basement somewhere — are definitely out there, as they are about any department.
To counter those stereotypes, I try to convey to people that I’m not just "that IT person." Obviously, I can give technology advice, but I continually strive for the ability to speak whatever language is needed to effectively communicate with any group. And not just speak the language at hand, but also have a deeper understanding of the topic. As IT, we should be able to show familiarity with the business strategy, not just its technology execution. That’s how we will accelerate our evolution as a practice, build trust, and earn a seat at the table.
Peter Buonora is a change agent driving alignment of business IT functions while evolving IT organizations from operational cost centers to a catalyst for competitive advantage. Peter’s extensive experience includes global technology strategy, architecture, cloud computing, and information security. Peter currently works as Enterprise Architect at BJ’s Wholesale Club, was formerly Senior Global Enterprise Architect at Ahold Corporation, and has held positions at Supervalu, John Hancock and other companies.
