Brian Cheek

🌟 The IT Director’s Cut: Two Tribes 🌟 I am currently in an extremely interesting and fulfilling position. As an IT Director running delivery for a software automation product ( Robotic Process Automation, or “RPA” for those close to the tech), I have oversight on all things engineering I love it Particularly when I’m in discussion with my IT Operations colleagues, and especially when they want to talk about “Development” You see, I once was “one of them”. Dedicated to stability, sustainability and client satisfaction. At the first line of defence and primary contact for customers. An old boss and mentor once told me “no-one ever compliments on a clean loo, but they sure let you know if its not…” Too true ! So I know where my IT Ops colleagues are coming from when the have concerns about “Development”. And I know where my developers are coming from when they struggle to provide IT Ops their full attention. These two tribes are co-dependant, but often operate often at a complete phase-shift. I overcome this constraint by encouraging transparency, detail when asked, understanding of each other’s motivations, but above all, empathy. And my colleagues follow suit. This way the tribes present one consistent presence, and are focussed on our client’s satisfaction. We are accountable as one tribe 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 In my experience, empathy, transparency, and shared accountability can transform separate teams into a unified force, focused on the bigger picture: delivering exceptional results for clients. I’d love to hear how others foster collaboration across different functions or navigate challenges like these. #ITLeadership #TechLeadership #ITDirector #CTO #ITManagement #GrowthMindset

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🌟 The IT Director’s Cut: Two Tribes 🌟 I am currently in an extremely interesting and fulfilling position. As an IT Director running delivery for a software automation product ( Robotic Process Automation, or “RPA” for those close to the tech), I have oversight on all things engineering I love it Particularly when I’m in discussion with my IT Operations colleagues, and especially when they want to talk about “Development” You see, I once was “one of them”. Dedicated to stability, sustainability and client satisfaction. At the first line of defence and primary contact for customers. An old boss and mentor once told me “no-one ever compliments on a clean loo, but they sure let you know if its not…” Too true ! So I know where my IT Ops colleagues are coming from when the have concerns about “Development”. And I know where my developers are coming from when they struggle to provide IT Ops their full attention. These two tribes are co-dependant, but often operate often at a complete phase-shift. I overcome this constraint by encouraging transparency, detail when asked, understanding of each other’s motivations, but above all, empathy. And my colleagues follow suit. This way the tribes present one consistent presence, and are focussed on our client’s satisfaction. We are accountable as one tribe 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 In my experience, empathy, transparency, and shared accountability can transform separate teams into a unified force, focused on the bigger picture: delivering exceptional results for clients. I’d love to hear how others foster collaboration across different functions or navigate challenges like these. #ITLeadership #TechLeadership #ITDirector #CTO #ITManagement #GrowthMindset

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🌟 The IT Director’s Cut: Two Tribes 🌟 I am currently in an extremely interesting and fulfilling position. As an IT Director running delivery for a software automation product ( Robotic Process Automation, or “RPA” for those close to the tech), I have oversight on all things engineering I love it Particularly when I’m in discussion with my IT Operations colleagues, and especially when they want to talk about “Development” You see, I once was “one of them”. Dedicated to stability, sustainability and client satisfaction. At the first line of defence and primary contact for customers. An old boss and mentor once told me “no-one ever compliments on a clean loo, but they sure let you know if its not…” Too true ! So I know where my IT Ops colleagues are coming from when the have concerns about “Development”. And I know where my developers are coming from when they struggle to provide IT Ops their full attention. These two tribes are co-dependant, but often operate often at a complete phase-shift. I overcome this constraint by encouraging transparency, detail when asked, understanding of each other’s motivations, but above all, empathy. And my colleagues follow suit. This way the tribes present one consistent presence, and are focussed on our client’s satisfaction. We are accountable as one tribe 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 In my experience, empathy, transparency, and shared accountability can transform separate teams into a unified force, focused on the bigger picture: delivering exceptional results for clients. I’d love to hear how others foster collaboration across different functions or navigate challenges like these. #ITLeadership #TechLeadership #ITDirector #CTO #ITManagement #GrowthMindset

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When people ask me what I do, I usually tell them I'm a business consultant. If they press further, I expound to say that I lead project and change management on IT implementations and digital transformations. If they haven't walked away by then, I name drop Workday®. If they're familiar with Workday® as a customer, they usually file a complaint about whatever module doesn't have that one button they really want. However, if they so happen to be familiar with Workday® as a fellow consultant, we share a meaningful chuckle/sigh and are thusly warbound for life. #workday #digitaltransformation #ifyouknowyouknow

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Most people appreciate being asked questions as it allows them to express themselves and share what they are going through. Check out this story form Fast Company on how to ask questions that get others to open up.

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Today I am going down the rabbit hole of the new Subscription and Recurring Billing module in Business Central! It takes me back to the days when there wasn't a ton of documentation on how BC worked and I just spent all my time pushing buttons and hoping things worked. It's been a lot of fun diving in and seeing how and entirely new way of billing works and I am having a blast! Have you set yours up and played with it yet? What do you think? What are your favorite or least favorite parts of the new module? #msdyn365bc #BusinessCentral #2024Wave2NewFeatures

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Vaco's recent case study highlights our strategic approach to enhancing a global nonprofit organization’s library management system. After deploying a skilled QA team to meet specific organizational needs, they provided rigorous manual and automation QA testing in different environments, leaning on their extensive coding knowledge in various environments. Key outcomes from the engagement included: -Enhanced functionality of four newly developed features -Improved user experience for both internal and external users -Reduced risk of errors and financial discrepancies in the companies point-of-sale system Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/gnbQqGsA #casestudy | #contractstaffing | #ITsolutions | #QAtesting

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AI can be a powerful tool but it can be problematic if not carefully used. Here's a disgruntled policy holder posting on social media and it appears a bot chimes and apologized for the wrong thing. See the comments for bot response. I am now thinking about automation and social media detection in a different way. "How do we use this tech to positively impact customers instead of just increasing the impact?" Automation impact multiplies the effect, both positively and negatively.

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Half way through week, very productive. Heading out for the night and a bit amused at all the posts of Rate cuts right before an election. More amused at how many influencers are pivoting from their “never going to happen till 2025” when those of us predicted it would - election year. Is the “system” is rigged? Has it been for a long time? There’re really aren’t the indicators of old, just throw them out the door. Why? Statistics are numbers, which are easily manipulated to drive a narrative. Media - Isn’t it all programming a desired narrative, not news? News” died a long time ago. Opinions on this site are often worse - people make a living off them, often repeating what others have already stated. My point - Anyone reading this, do yourself a favor and take a break from this platform and others. Invest your time on you, not others. Hit the pavements doing what you do best - meeting real people actively doing. A vast majority don’t apply any of what they’ve read, nor alter their course as a result of the info. Maybe, go back and read through alllll the posts, providing you information. Expertise. Wisdom. Is it almost all worthless info? Probably. I’ll close with this old saying -“Those who can’t do, teach” Be someone who “does” something.

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As a Paycom employee, I’ve seen Time-Off Requests featuring GONE® streamline the process so I get answers sooner. Forrester Consulting projected a 3-year ROI of 821% in a newly released TEI study! Click to learn more. https://pycm.co/48wzOor

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Leadership Quote of the Day 487 Am I quick to see and acknowledge the contribution of every team member? Am I focused on a "win" for the entire team? Or am I primarily focused on my own "win" - on being the "hero," on being recognized for my own ideas? . Stephen M.R. Covey The Speed of Trust Are you the base of the human pyramid or the top? A leader needs to have the mindset of being the base of the pyramid, providing the foundation to help lift team members, not to do the work for them, but to help them achieve more and reach heights they had not before. That’s the entire point of being a leader. Background I have shelves of management and leadership books - most of which I’ve read. But all too often I look at a book and realize I’ve ignored or forgotten its lessons. I’ve tried highlighting, flagging with Post-It notes, writing little summaries - they have all helped but not enough. So I decided this year to again post a quote a day here. Basically I’m using my LinkedIn community to hold me accountable, so thanks all. The quotes won’t necessarily be the most powerful or my favorite, just one that jumped out at me when reviewing that book. Stephen M. R. Covey

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How could @Texas Tech University grow from 30,000 to 40,000 students and maintain a personal connection to each and every student? By turning to @Salesforce for Education, built on the Einstein 1 Platform, the institution increased enrollment and doubled down on data-driven engagement strategies to boost four-year graduation rates. Learn more:

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I’ve heard of at least 4 organizations who were forced to rethink their entire MDM strategy within this last quarter. That’s an alarming rate of turnover for a solution that requires an unbelievable amount of effort to reimplement. We’ve on-boarded 3 of these 4 organizations and their stories are all the same. They want a reliable platform that is affordable and doesn’t change their entire pricing structure every 12 months. If you’re rethinking your Windows MDM strategy, let Combinetic help streamline your adoption... once and for all ☺️

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DALLAS FRIENDS (and even if you are not in Dallas!) - A reminder that I am speaking at the upcoming Agile 2024 conference in Dallas July 22-26! Have you registered yet? Couple of very important notes: 1. Deadlines for rate discounts are coming up quickly so ask the boss now! 2. Use the promo code AAPromo$24 and save $100 3. There's a special 2-day pass this year that includes the big party AND my talk! What am I speaking about? So glad you asked. My talk is titled "Conflict Competent Teams: Navigating Teams Through Turbulent Times." I'm excited to share research I've discovered that lays out a clear pattern for us to follow to navigate conflict successfully on our teams. Simple, practical, and easy to follow. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/grUk9teU PLUS, this year there is even an Agile Executive Forum for senior leaders and executives to learn, share experiences, and make new connections - all contained within the conference! This is going to be an amazing conference this year. You really don't want to miss the biggest Agile conference of the year. I hope to see AGILE MENTORS nation there in force! Sign up here: https://lnkd.in/ge7FARnd

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As someone with many klms on the clock regarding business automation, this intrigues me as I’m sure it will all who have a similar experience. Are your AI and automation strategies keeping pace? If they are, in fact, two separate strategies, they may not be. Check out this complimentary Gartner report to learn how unifying across your platforms can streamline operations and deliver measurable results that eliminate legacy vendor silos. http://spr.ly/6042sPD9o 

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New from the D&A blog: Now You Have Your Budget — Time for Implementation! https://rpb.li/aSxA9 This post touches on technology, member engagement, marketing, staffing, and more! What are your priorities or goals for 2025?

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Getting better requires change, which leads to growth

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