Tuesday, September 20, 2005
ACM News Service: "'IT Workers: You Can't Always Guess What They Want'
Computerworld (09/12/05) P. 52; Horowitz, Alan S.
Fulfilling IT staffers' needs is the secret to high productivity and low turnover, but there is often a disconnect between what IT managers think workers want and what they actually want. This is critical in view of the apparent resurgence of turnover as a result of retiring baby boomers, a decline in computer science majors graduating from U.S. universities, and more overseas opportunities that encourage foreign-born IT talent to stay at home. Many experts say it is folly to assume that money is the chief desire of IT employees: More important to workers is the feeling that they are making a meaningful contribution to the company, a feeling reinforced by recognition and appreciation for their efforts. Other documented wants of IT professionals include job security; access to new technologies; reasonable and less stressful work schedules; and more appreciation from business customers. Managers have a responsibility to ensure that IT's contributions are esteemed and to relay such recognition to employees. Humana CTO Brian LeClaire places IT workers in several distinct categories in terms of motivation: Some employees enjoy their usually technology-centric work as it is and wish to continue in that vein, while some prefer new challenges and projects. Still others want to advance their careers and move into management, a common desire among increasing numbers of IT workers. The best strategy for determining what IT workers want is simply to ask them. Such needs can be extracted through performance reviews, formal surveys, "town hall" meetings, and other programs.
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Computerworld (09/12/05) P. 52; Horowitz, Alan S.
Fulfilling IT staffers' needs is the secret to high productivity and low turnover, but there is often a disconnect between what IT managers think workers want and what they actually want. This is critical in view of the apparent resurgence of turnover as a result of retiring baby boomers, a decline in computer science majors graduating from U.S. universities, and more overseas opportunities that encourage foreign-born IT talent to stay at home. Many experts say it is folly to assume that money is the chief desire of IT employees: More important to workers is the feeling that they are making a meaningful contribution to the company, a feeling reinforced by recognition and appreciation for their efforts. Other documented wants of IT professionals include job security; access to new technologies; reasonable and less stressful work schedules; and more appreciation from business customers. Managers have a responsibility to ensure that IT's contributions are esteemed and to relay such recognition to employees. Humana CTO Brian LeClaire places IT workers in several distinct categories in terms of motivation: Some employees enjoy their usually technology-centric work as it is and wish to continue in that vein, while some prefer new challenges and projects. Still others want to advance their careers and move into management, a common desire among increasing numbers of IT workers. The best strategy for determining what IT workers want is simply to ask them. Such needs can be extracted through performance reviews, formal surveys, "town hall" meetings, and other programs.
Click Here to View Full Article
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