As 2024 slowly recedes in the rear view mirror, I've reflected on the lessons that shaped this past year—professionally and personally. Here are some of the key takeaways.
Big name or tech leader does not always mean best option!
Don’t think that businesses (large or small) or (software) partners have your best interests at heart! They are out to make a buck and like any good salesperson, they will be your best buddy (and I thought I had a few on my travels) throughout the process of getting the sale, but once that contract is signed … 💨
Also, when looking at any discounts being offered, work out what the downside is because there will always be at least one.
Let me give you an example of what I’ve seen way too many times.
Large project with one of the big players in the tech space. They sign you up to a multi year licensing contract (because of the discount it offers) and you start paying for EVERYTHING from day one, even though there is a multi year project to build everything for the business and get it all up and running.
Why would you pay for things you are not likely to be using in the early, or even later, stages of the project? This scenario is not unique and salespeople need to stop this practice!! 😕
So how do you navigate some of this and get what you need?
One scenario might be…
Do a Proof Of Concept and have that as an initial project with a fixed cost. Make it clear to the partner you are working with that there is no guarantee that they will get the ongoing work.
Move on to Discovery and again, do it at a fixed cost with agreed sign off from key stakeholders in the business as to what the expected outcomes are for the business on delivery.
If the partner that has done either (or both) of the above is not interested in doing a fixed price contract for the Delivery, find someone who is and be clear on what success looks like!
Only sign up for the licenses you require at each stage of the process and nothing more until you are ready for Go Live!
WARNING! Do not expect the delivered project to be a silver bullet. It never is!
Once the project has been delivered, give it 6 months (or other timeframe) to be fully bedded in and for staff to be really familiar with the new tools, reporting, and processes. Only then do you make decisions on what to do next with the new platform.
For even better results…
Make sure you have the right team internally to support both the project and the business during the entire process from POC to delivery and beyond. This may include a Project Manager, Business Analyst, Change Manager, Data Specialist, Lead Trainer, Tech Admins, Process Analyst, and SMEs. Do you need all these roles? NO! But some are key for success.
I’m grateful for the team I have (both ongoing and project based) and they have made a huge difference in how things have been delivered and continue to be delivered. They are my go to for feedback and advice on most things.
Don’t waste time or money!
I’ve delivered all sorts of tech programs but I get pretty pissed off when the staff within businesses think it is ok to waste money on things simply because they can’t get their act together and (just my perception) some people don’t really care because it is not their money. Treat the project as though it is using your money and you will do things very differently and get far better results.
I’ve walked away from projects (and roles) that I knew were not for me because it was not what I was led to believe in the interview, or things change once you get into a role and it no longer sits well with your own values and it is best to simply move on and let someone else more suitable step in.
Be humble enough to acknowledge this and have the guts to have a real conversation about it as well.
I should’ve been a cop or a lawyer!
The biggest thing that has got under my skin this past year is when you discover some people have deliberately been misleading in order to get a bigger commission or kick back. I am no angel and have had my times of slacking off or not giving 100% but this to me is up there with robbery and/or deceit.
Be skeptical with things that don’t seem right, speak up or get some advice from someone that has travelled the journey before, or, if you have access to Board Members or Execs, ask them for help. I would much rather delay something than forge ahead and get it horribly wrong when I thought something was a little off.
For the record, with what I have discussed in this blog, it is my opinion alone and not all people are bad.
There are some fantastic people out there doing the best they can to ensure the company they work for succeeds, or if they have clients, making sure their clients succeed. So do not take this as me bagging everyone but simply asking you to open your eyes and ears and trust yourself when something feels uncomfortable or wrong.
So you’ve read this far. Do you really want to be an Exec?
Even though it was something that was never on my radar it has been an honour to be part of the Exec team where I am currently working. It is not what I expected and it certainly has many challenges. I spend most days wondering if I am doing a good enough job which is a bit of a double edged sword. It keeps me motivated to want to do better but it also means a level of stress! Yes there are many meetings (most of them are needed) and you also have to be across way more than just what your team are doing. It is impossible to be effective and be in the weeds so you need to trust your team to do their job so you can get on with yours.
The big thing is being able to make the tough decisions and then being able to live with them. Some of these decisions impact people’s lives and livelihood so if you are not comfortable with this aspect, stay away from senior roles.
If something doesn’t go to plan, own it and discuss it as quickly as you can so you can either remediate or stop the current job/project/task to reduce the damage.
Am I doing a good job? Only time will tell along with the results but while I have the role I will give it all I can with the aim of keeping my own health and sanity along the way.
Beyond professional lessons, 2024 has continued to be a year of personal growth and discovery.
“If you do the best you can with what you have, then you have every right to hold your head high at the end of whatever it is you have been involved with.”
A year of new friendships and discovery.
As the year has unfolded there has been many opportunities to forge new friendships and even let some others go, along with hitting another so-called milestone birthday.
The longer you stay in a place whether it be professionally or personally, the more you ride the ebbs and flows of relationships and personal development. There has been many changes for me over the past 12 months in both these areas of my life. Some incredible professional relationships and learning has seen me grow more than I thought possible as I turned 60 this past year. I guess you have a choice as to how the latter years in your life look as you consider time very differently to when you are younger. Some friendships seem to hold more value and you quickly move on from things that don’t meet your needs/values (time wasters).
I’ve done more in my current role in the past 12 months than I thought possible and only time will tell if it has had a detrimental impact on my health, but it has certainly been very rewarding for me personally and given me a renewed sense of purpose and motivation. The biggest personal discovery has been to stop waiting for something to be handed to me on a platter (like winning Tattslotto) and simply do my best to create the best possible future for my wife and myself. Do not take that as me sitting back waiting for handouts as this is not what I mean. I’ve given a lot over the past 40+ years but it does not entitle me to anything other than what I have created for myself. I’m the only one that can control my destiny with the choices I make each and every day and I must wear the consequences of those choices whether good or bad! 🙏🏻
Trust, integrity and respect!
One last point for 2024 and something to take forward well beyond 2025.
Don’t allow derogatory comments to be made at you even if they are not intended in that way. This may sound a little strange but someone telling you that you wouldn’t understand something because you are not formally qualified in that area, does not mean you lack the ability to understand something. That person may do their job incredibly well and have a number of qualifications or years of experience, but that does not give them the right to be demeaning or disrespectful towards you when they either really don’t know you that well, or they have a perception that unless you have travelled the same journey it somehow precludes you from being able to comprehend or understand something!
With over 40 years of professional working experience, I am still constantly learning and looking for ways to improve, but none of that experience gives me a right to be disrespectful to another human being!
Trust, integrity and respect should be front of mind at all times, it’s not easy to always do, but for me, coming from this position very quickly shows me who is standing in front of me when it counts.
2025 🙏🏻
I wish you and all those around you a very successful 2025 and may you surpass any goals and ambitions you set for yourself.
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