The document outlines a strategy for effectively pitching technology to a board, emphasizing that the focus should be on people rather than just technology. Key recommendations include storytelling, demonstrating practical impact, and collaborating with experts. The ultimate goal is to shift discussions from technical support to innovative experiences that engage audiences.

1. How To Pitch Technology to Your Board:
Strategy to Implementation
- or –
How to STOP blathering on about “technology”
so that you can actually get some really cool
technology stuff going!
Douglas Hegley, Minneapolis Institute of Arts ● dhegley@artsmia.org ● @dhegley
BEFORE AFTER

2. Strategy
Douglas Hegley, Minneapolis Institute of Arts ● dhegley@artsmia.org ● @dhegley
1. Do what you do well
2. Rely on experts who will do better than you
3. Embrace change

3. 1. Speak truth, not “fancy nonsense”.
2. Repeat after me: “It’s not about technology, it’s about people”.
3. Take your time, slow down.
4. Tell stories, build a narrative (and lose the acronyms).
5. Write things down.
6. Show practical impact.
7. Lunch is good. Really.
8. Plant seeds, and wait.
9. Be agile, nimble.
10. When all else fails, call in the experts.
How to Pitch Technology to Your Board
In 10 Easy Steps
Douglas Hegley, Minneapolis Institute of Arts ● dhegley@artsmia.org ● @dhegley

4. Eek! It’s the
Technology
guy!
Do you think
you can fix
my iPhone?
FROM:
What if visitors
could
manipulate the
artworks?
This really
encourages people
to work togetherFROM:
We need an
iPad app
now! Um, okay, to
do what,
exactly?I don’t care!
You’re the IT
guy. Just
make an app!
TO:
Did you succeed? How do you know?
1. They no longer run away in terror
2. Discussion turns toward big, future-oriented ideas (not “technical support”)
3. The funding effort becomes a reality
4. Focus shifts from devices to experience (content, interaction)
5. One more time: It’s not about technology, it’s about people
Thank you!
Douglas Hegley, Minneapolis Institute of Arts ● dhegley@artsmia.org ● @dhegley
TO: