Job security is a myth, and how IT Pros are Thriving

No matter how you slice it, the economy is definitely in a state of concern. Some call it a recession, some a depression, others it is a crash. Since all of those words are overloaded, I will choose to use the word Grapefruit to represent the current situation. How concerned you are with grapefruit depends on who you are, and your personal situation. It is these times of grapefruit when there is the most opportunity. Crazy, I know. But now is the time to start that crazy idea, to outmaneuver an opponent, or get desperate enough to take risks you normally wouldn’t take (personally, or as a company) during up times.

All boats float in the high tide. Only great captains can navigate the low tide.

There is no such thing as job security. Surprise. There just isn’t, it is a complete myth. ‘Job Security’ might have made sense two generations ago, but it just doesn’t work now. You make your own security, during good times, and during grapefruits. Through keeping your skills sharp, through delivering real value to your company, planning for your own future, and through professional networking. The people that aren’t worried now are those that have been training at home, going to user groups, and networking both inside and outside the organization. They knew they needed to be ready when the grapefruit came.

A large part of our economy is based on technology, and if you are reading this blog, then you are likely in technology as well. Microsoft is in a position, and I think obligated, to help out IT Pros weather this storm.

We have launched a new program, called Thrive, that will help IT Pros with their careers. We have looked at how we can empower the IT Pro to really move the needle when it comes to helping your company not only survive through these times, but thrive.

The program is centered on three aspects:

1. Career Care
2. Technical Competency
3. Business and IT Alignment

Career Care We have worked out a program to help you guide your career. These come from career and IT experts. We want to help you learn and prove your skills with certifications and access to technical training and material. We are working with CareerBuilder.com to provide help in managing your career.

Technical Competency We are working to bring a series of programs to bear that will help you learn the skills you need to be fresh, and to use the technology you ALREADY HAVE. What? Yes, we want to help you get the most of what you have. No need to buy something that will fix this problem. Chances are you already have it, and have been to busy or distracted with luxurious trips to Hawaii to use it.

Our platforms have had the features for years that help you do more with less. Whether that is virtualization technology, or management tools that help only a few IT Pros to manage hundreds or thousands of desktops. There are plenty of other time and money saving goodness in Windows. It has taken this tough environment to get people to look into using them, when they really need the payback, and show how much value they are really delivering. Plus, chances are you used these features as a selling point to management to let you buy it, so you should probably use them.

Business and IT Alignment We want to help you align with the business, and help you communicate your value, long term, to the business. There are tools and training in place that can teach you how to align your IT goals with the business goals, and then market that throughout your organization. As techs, we really know technology, but sometimes we need help explaining that value to the rest of the world. “It’s just better” usually doesn’t cut it. That is like telling a child to drink grapefruit juice because it is good for them. You have to be able to articulate the value, and then follow through.

Once you are aligned, it is easy to show your value, and it is easy to be seen as a lever to help move the business, not just a cost center, that must be paid like the water bill. If you are a cost center, then the first thing companies look for is how to CUT COSTS. If you are a strategic advantage, they company looks on how to use you as a lever to survive and thrive in this grapefruit.

How are you positioning yourself, your team, and your organization for success during this economic grapefruit?  Visit the Thrive site and learn how to enhance your skills, advance your career and elevate IT as the business leader.  Go ahead - find out how YOU can Thrive!