Tech Summit 2017

Continual service improvement is a worthy goal many organizations set, but getting there is sometimes trickier than you might think. Join this session to review case studies on the process improvement methodology used within Texas A&M IT and how it could benefit your organization. We’ll discuss how this methodology improved existing processes for supplier contract management and customer service requests, and how this experience led to further changes.

In our ever-changing culture, there are many key factors to consider to be an effective leader. This session encompasses topics ranging from dissemination of information, diversity in groups, and utilizing this diversity to find better solutions. By exploring leadership as a skill, we will discuss how to be effective with the ever-growing millennial population entering the workforce. We will also cover the difference between roles as managers and leaders, and how the use of knowledge and information shifts as we focus on being effective leaders.

Technology leaders must drive value to their institutions while maintaining successful processes and looking for new opportunities to grow. This requires a holistic approach to strategic innovation – a balance between honing internal service delivery and allowing for adaptation to external forces. Establishing a culture of innovation in these circumstances is never easy and budget constraints are just one hurdle education IT leaders face. However, aligning with the needs of the institution while taking sound risks can help drive enterprise advancements. Join your peers for this lively discussion on the risks, disruptions, opportunities and triumphs inherent to a culture of innovation.

Strategic planning is more important than ever. William Shakespeare noted that ‘what is past, is prologue.’ So why stay there? With imagination, innovation, and intense moments of fellowship with your colleagues, paving a path to a future state is possible. This presentation will outline the Bryson Model for strategic planning, offer insight into how the ServiceNow strategic plan was developed, highlight pain points, and offer an overview of the ServiceNow Strategic Plan for 2016-2019.

In today’s world of IT security, most companies have spent thousands upon thousands of dollars to secure their network perimeters. However, they have neglected one of their most vulnerable areas... humans. Explore the human security factor and how it affects corporations today. We’ll look at the facts behind the latest breaches and how they could have been prevented. Join us to discuss changing the behavior of your employees so that your organization is less vulnerable, and also sees increased productivity.

Have you ever wondered why a work team didn’t function as intended or how someone else with identical instructions could produce a different product? We will use the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) to identify an individual’s basic preferences and show that no one way of thinking or working is more correct than another. Participants will receive a brief introduction to MBTI on a personal and professional level, tips for working in teams, and tools to take back to the office. When you understand your preferences, you can approach your own responsibilities in a manner that best suits you, including time management, decision making, problem solving and stress.

In the IT world, the simple fact that we are supporting individuals is often lost in the hustle of new technology, projects and technical issues. Learning how to interact with customers as individuals and fellow collaborators, instead of mass consumers, is essential to building good working relationships. By placing value on each person as an individual, we are able to build rapport with customers and better understand their needs. We will discuss collaborative working relationships; the benefits of knowing your customers and having them know you; and how to foster those relationships and goodwill.