The document discusses recruiting, training, and developing IT specialists. It notes that people and information are a company's greatest assets, and that information is managed by technology and IT specialists. It highlights the rapidly changing nature of IT knowledge and globally transferable skills. The document outlines different types of IT specialist profiles and career paths. It also discusses solutions for organizations to plan continuity, establish career paths, invest in training, and reward IT staff uniquely to retain top talent and address the "IT glass ceiling".

1. Recrui'ng, Training &
Developing IT Specialists
Unlocking Real Returns on your IT investments
The IT Prac8oners View: Kunle Odebode
A presenta*on made at the March edi*on of Digital Jewel’s
Informa*on Value Chain Breakfast Forum
12/03/2008

2. Informa'on Assets
• People are your greatest Asset
• People have and produce informa'on
• Informa'on is a vital key Asset
• Informa'on is managed by Technology
• Informa'on Technology Specialists are your
greatest human assets

3. What’s so Special about IT &
Technical Specialists ?
• Rapid Knowledge Growth
• World wide Innova'on
• Globally Transferable skills
• Difficult to replace
• In high demand in every organisa'on

4. What drives IT People ?
• Money
• Recogni'on/Reward for achievements
• Exposure and Work Environment
• Knowledge and Cer'fica'ons
• Skills development
• Tools
• Intellectually Challenging Work
• Posi'on

5. IT Specialist Profiles
• Generalist
– IT General Prac''oner
– Career path towards IT Management and General
Management
– Extroverted and People Oriented
• Technical Specialist
– IT Brain Surgeon
– Career Path towards single Technology Management and
Consul'ng
– Introverted and Knowledge/Skills Oriented

6. The Contradic'on
• Most highly skilled focussed specialists are
NOT promoted rapidly within Management
• The IT Glass Ceiling
– Execu'ng a job so well that you are NOT eligible
for promo'on
• Some of your best staff leave

7. Some Solu'ons
• Plan for con'nuity via proper IT Governance/
Process Standards
– IT Steering Boards
– Project Management (Prince 2/PMI)
– Service Management (ITIL)
– Six Sigma
– Accurate and Reliable Documenta'on

8. More Solu'ons
• Establish realis'c Career paths
• Invest in IT personal development
• Train ALL IT staff in Management (early)
• Job Rota'on
• Reward IT uniquely !

9. Ques'ons Please
• And Thanks for listening !

10. : How can we help?
• Specialist Recruitment
• Training & Development
• Surveys: Skills, Remunera'on, Sa'sfac'on
• Competency Assessments
• IT Governance Framework Development
Pls visit www.digitaljewels.net for more informa'on