As well as introducing formal, management-level methods
of communication between IT and business at WS Atkins, Lesley Hume,
IS director, does not neglect the more informal methods as
well.
She says, "We do all the usual internal communications, such as
newsletters from IT, and the intranet - where hits are on the
increase - and mass e-mails, where we need to hit a large audience,
with links to intranet pages. I also run regular competitions where
computers can be won by business staff. It is all a question of
doing whatever it takes to get the horse to the water."
One effective way is to hold technology surgeries in places like
coffee shops and rest areas, so staff can relate any problems they
are having. But this needs to be done with a promotional twist to
encourage staff to come along.
"We demo new kit - the latest PDAs and so on. All the toys for
the boys," she said.
The classic corporate approaches to breaking down barriers
between staff and departments are also used.
"We do team-building and coaching sessions, with motivational
speakers to put people in the right frame of mind," said Hume.
"We also have family days out, summer barbeques, Christmas
parties and, just recently, a Halloween party. Children are great
for breaking the ice. We also initiate cross-departmental events
like taking part in a rowing regatta."
Hume also makes a point of informal contact with senior
management. "I try and spend time in the executive suite, and ask
if they have any issues with their own technology, such as their
PDAs or their 'mail-on-the-move' devices. It all helps to move the
conversation along."
She added, "I've also been incredibly fortunate in having the
full support of our finance director."
Hume also ensures she makes the most of an often overlooked
method of corporate networking. "My PA is great at networking with
all the other executive secretaries, and we hold informal
technology user forums where I buy all the executive secretaries
lunch."
IT staff also network on the move. "Training instructors go
floor-walking, wearing IT T-shirts, asking other staff if they have
any IT issues, and pointing them towards the IT training that is
available. Our IT service delivery guys will do the same when they
have gone along to reboot someone's PC - it all helps to identify
user needs."
Hume also seeks to move IT further out still, to touch base with
WS Atkins' clients.
"I ask the SBUs to have their client meetings in my office, and
then take a tour of the IT department," she said.
With project work with clients having an ever-increasing IT
dimension, this aspect of communicating IT skills and expertise
beyond the company is gaining in importance, said Hume.
"A bid can require a lot of complex IT, so we need to be
involved."