When you introduce yourself to a business person, what do you tell him/her?
- Name
- Title
- Project (acroynm)
Besides your name, what value does this have to the business person? Why do they want to know you? What will you do for him/her?
For example, I’m referred to by different IT titles:
- Business Analyst
- Requirements Engineer
- Project Manager
- Process Manager
- Process Analyst
- Systems Analyst
- Business Process Architect
- Data Analyst
- and the list goes on and on and on (depending on the organization)
The question the business community has is:
What the heck (or some other word that may be considered unprofessional in some circles) does that mean?
Oh, but Pat, a title indicates where I fall in the corporate heirarchy!
Let me be blunt … THE BUSINESS DOESN’T CARE ABOUT YOUR TITLE AND WHERE YOU ARE IN THE HIERARCHY. They don’t even care about what project you are involved in. The business cares about what you will do for him/her! How will you help them get what they want from technology.
Instead, why not say something like this:
Hi, my name is Pat. I’ll listen to what you want from IT and translate it so IT can build it for you. I will be your contact for all questions or distribution of the information you were asked for from someone in IT. I’m your go-to gal! I’m here to understand, facilitate, and help YOU. Here is my telephone number(s) and email address.
One last opportuntiy to HELP the business community. What does your email signature say? A title that has little meaning to them or something that indicates how you can help him/her?
Cheers,
Pat (chief thought translator)
Helping all size businesses find growth opportunities and demolish internal roadblocks to success.
Contact me to discuss how I can add real value to your bottom line. 
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August 25, 2008 at 4:02 pm |
Re: What’s your Title
Thanks Pat.
I’ve filled several IT titles in my 20 year span and am fully aware that these title mean squat to most non-IT people. When asked what I do / can provide … I’ve been resorting to a small description like the one you provided…however…I would question myself all along…!
Forever seeking validation…lol
Mona
August 26, 2008 at 9:48 am |
Pat,
This is great stuff. Many people get caught up with title. I always promote that titles are less important than what you have to offer. Thanks for the great tip!
August 26, 2008 at 7:24 pm |
Thank you for your responses. I value input. It helps me provide the stuff others want to read.
As an independent consultant (speaker, writer, and inventress), I have my own card. I am currently redesigning one of them to help explain the value I add to the organization.
I have also started recommending something I learned from my mentor Jeffrey Gitomer. He suggested everyone create their own card (costs less than $100). When you meet someone, hand them both … “Oh, this is the corporate card…the other is a card aimed at helping me provide more value to you.”
I tried this myself. The response was a laugh (which means they are listening) and the first step in building a relationship with the client. It works when titles are meaningless to the non-techie.
April 10, 2009 at 3:34 pm |
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