HDI's Service Management World is fast approaching, and as we gear up for the event, we are excited to feature some of our leading speakers. This week, we are thrilled to spotlight Roy Atkinson, a recognized industry authority. Atkinson will be leading Session 502: "The Business of Business Is the Business of IT. " In his presentation, Roy will explore how IT leaders can better prove value to the C-suite and boards of directors, moving beyond merely reporting issues and their resolutions.
From common IT pitfalls to how to make the most of the event and which sessions he’s looking forward to attending, read our exclusive interview with Roy.
Roy Atkinson Speaks: IT Leadership Insider Insights
Q: You’re a longtime Service Management World speaker and attendee. What advice do you have for someone attending for the first time?
Atkinson: Come to Service Management World with three goals:
- Get information and/or training
- Make connections with people
- Have some fun
I think these three are equally important, but the first one—to get information and/or training—comes with a caveat: Before you attend, set some specifics around your learning. There’s so much great information being exchanged you can wind up “drinking from the fire hose” and feeling overwhelmed. Realize that you can’t attend every session, and sometimes two sessions you want to attend are running at the same time. It’s a good idea to work with your manager on setting some learning goals.
Consider buying the audio recordings so you can get more out of the sessions. Take notes and ask questions. If your organization is in the market for new products, come with questions for the exhibitors, too. Even if you’re not in the market right now, you can learn from these knowledgeable companies.
Q: Aside from yours, which session(s) are you most excited to attend this year?
Q: What are some common pitfalls IT leaders face when trying to demonstrate value to the C-suite?
Atkinson: One of the biggest pitfalls is using “IT-speak” to try to communicate with business colleagues. They probably don’t care much about those new systems or upgraded software; they do care about speed, efficiency, and stability. Ask what it is they value most and frame your discussions accordingly. Another pitfall is relying on metrics that reflect IT goals but not those of the larger organization. Making sure you are measuring what matters is a key ingredient to bringing and showing value.
Q: Who should attend your session and what can they expect to learn?
Atkinson: All service management professionals are welcome to attend to learn more about understanding the goals of their businesses and how they can make a positive impact by enabling innovation in this time of sweeping technological change.
Join Atkinson this November at Service Management World
About Roy Atkinson
Roy Atkinson serves as CEO and Principal Advisor for Clifton Butterfield, LLC. He is a Fellow of the Institute for Digital Transformation and a member of HDI's Strategic Advisory Board. His expertise has been featured internationally in print, on podcasts, webinars, and conferences. Roy is one of HDI's Top 25 Thought Leaders for 2024 and is a Top 10 Thought Leader in IT Strategy and IT Operations according to Thinkers 360. He received HDI's Lifetime Achievement Award in 2019.
Atkinson holds a master's certificate in advanced management strategy from Tulane University's Freeman School of Business and several industry certifications. Clifton Butterfield has won international awards for both Service Management and Customer Experience advisory.
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