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3 Traits of A Good IT Program Manager

Sudhakar Kandanala • Apr 10, 2021

3 Traits of A Good IT Program Manager




Whether a business is planning to outsource IT projects or looking to build an internal IT team, it needs a professional IT Program Manager to be successful. Simply having someone who understands IT and creates operations is not enough.  A good program manager knows to execute projects on time and on budget. And good program managers also take pains to deliver agreed upon project scope consistently. But truly great project leaders go above and beyond. Among other things, not only do they execute projects within scope; they are accountable, strategic business partners fully vested in organizational success.

 

Much has changed in 2020. Managing projects has become more complex as a result of COVID-19. Simply having the necessary technical skills is not enough for a program manager. Coupled with the necessary technical skills, the following traits will provide any business with a strong IT program manager.

 

A Strategic Business Partner

 

Program managers who can offer higher-level strategic leadership skills, not just technical management skills, provide significant advantages for organizations of all sizes. Since the start of the pandemic in early 2020, there are far more complex factors, both internal and external, that can negatively impact projects of all types. Such factors include triple bottom line (economic, ecological, and social outcomes), legal and legislative restrictions, remote project issues, and international and cultural factors — not to mention significant resource constraints and delays.

 

Factors such as these create additional hurdles that a program manager must deal with. If an IT program manager doesn’t have a strong understanding of how a project fits within the overall company-wide strategic goals, it would significantly hamper the chances of delivering effective outcomes.

 

Organizations that are in a constant battle to improve their organizational efficiency often lose sight of their long-term strategic goals and the necessary recourses needed in order to fulfill those goals.

 

Effective & Efficient Communication

 

Considering communication plays a significant role in managing projects, teams, and other stakeholders, it is the most critical skill. Communication doesn't just mean being a stellar facilitator, speaker, or writer; it requires good listening skills. Actively listening to directions, goals, and visions taking context into account is of value. Listening to others' views and taking into account their experiences and knowledge helps to reduce potential conflict and risks due to blind spots and increases the likelihood of project success.

 

Working in the Median, A Gray Area

 

What truly sets a program manager apart is his or her ability to work in the gray. This is a must-have skill since the majority of projects, regardless of type, industry, size, or complexity, will have gray areas the business will need to navigate at some point.

 

Issues with external constraints and complexities, remote project limitations, conflict and ambiguity — these and other uncertainties will almost certainly be encountered. According to Joyce Wilson-Sanford, an executive coach, consultant, and writer says the ability to approach change in an organization, to see when a project is in trouble or can cause trouble, and to not get rattled by delay or crisis or budget cuts is key. Project managers with high technical and high people skills are a tough combination to find, she says. And when you combine those with the ability to work in the gray, you are a very effective project manager indeed.

 

As we can see a good project manager is good with not just the technical aspects, but also has the necessary skills to effectively have a long-term vision for the company, is an effective communicator, and works well around uncertainty. Sliver Business Services specialize in being an outsourced IT partner, and we help with creating the frameworks for IT needs in all departments. Sliver also provides hiring services, if you are looking for an IT project or program manager that does more than just technical work, then Sliver can help you find strong candidates and screen them, so that a IT department can develop a great team.


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For more information on how Sliver can help your company find the most qualified Program Manager for the execution of your IT strategy or implementation of business-critical technology systems, email us at info@sliverusa.com.

By Sudhakar Kandanala 09 Nov, 2024
In today’s digital world, your startup’s online presence can make or break your success. Whether you’re just starting or trying to scale, having a strong, consistent brand presence across social media platforms is critical. Sliver Business Services understands the unique challenges startups face in building visibility online, which is why we’ve incorporated Zoho Social into our Marketing-to-Lead process. This powerful social media management tool helps startups maximize their reach, engage with their audience, and convert followers into qualified leads. The Power of Social Media for Startups For startups, social media is one of the most cost-effective ways to grow a brand, engage with customers, and promote products or services. With the right tools and strategy, social media can quickly become your primary driver for generating leads. But it requires consistent management and monitoring, which can be overwhelming for growing businesses. 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Zoho Social provides detailed analytics and reports, showing you which posts are driving the most engagement, which platforms are performing the best, and how your audience is responding. This data allows you to make informed decisions about your social media strategy. For Sliver Business Services, this information is essential in optimizing our clients’ Marketing-to-Lead process. By analyzing the performance of social campaigns, we can adjust our messaging and targeting to ensure we’re generating the highest-quality leads. 4. Collaboration Across Teams Many startups operate with small teams where marketing tasks are shared across members. Zoho Social’s collaboration tools make it easy for teams to work together on social media management. You can assign roles, review posts, and collaborate on content, ensuring that every piece of communication aligns with your brand’s overall strategy. For businesses working with Sliver Business Services, we ensure that social media management fits seamlessly into their broader marketing efforts, aligning with email marketing, SEO, and other lead generation activities. Why Zoho Social Is Ideal for Startups Zoho Social is particularly well-suited for startups due to its affordability, ease of use, and scalability. Startups need marketing tools that don’t just meet their needs today but can grow with them as their audience and customer base expand. Zoho Social delivers this by offering features that range from basic social media management to advanced analytics and automation, all in one place. Key Benefits for Startups: • Cost-Effective: Affordable pricing options for growing businesses. • Time-Saving: Manage multiple platforms from one dashboard. • Scalable: Advanced features that grow with your business. • Data-Driven: Insights that help you optimize performance and results. At Sliver Business Services, we’ve seen firsthand how Zoho Social can elevate a startup’s online presence and integrate into a broader Marketing-to-Lead strategy that drives growth and success. The best part about Zoho Social is that it is part of the comprehensive business management suite: Zoho One . Zoho One is a set of fully integrate suite of 50+ business applications under one affordable subscription that any startup or business would need to operate and scale up efficiently. How we Help? In today’s competitive landscape, a strong online presence is critical for startups aiming to stand out and generate leads. Zoho Social provides the tools you need to manage and optimize your social media channels effectively, saving time and improving engagement with potential customers. At Sliver Business Services, we incorporate Zoho Social into our Marketing-to-Lead process to ensure that startups can reach their audience, engage meaningfully, and turn followers into leads. With the right strategy and tools like Zoho Social, your startup’s online presence can be a powerful asset in achieving long-term success. For more information visit us at www.sliverusa.com to learn more about how we can help you implement Zoho Social to optimize your marketing strategies and fuel your business growth. For more information visit us at https://www.sliverusa.com/systems-for-startups. You can also email us at info@sliverusa.com or call us at +1 331.888.2627. 
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