TOP TIPS

The world according to Luke Smith

1. Be part of the team - a leader, not a director.
2. IT staff are not at all like other staff. They have different wants and needs, but when you get it right they will walk over hot coals for you.
3. If you do not understand the technology, be open about it. Do not take a paper you didn't write to a board meeting and expect to sound convincing either to the board or when you report back to your staff. Take the tech [staff] along, get them to talk about the technology and then you can talk about the business benefits.
4. LISTEN!

Must-have executives, says Virginia Orr

1. Are able to demonstrate strong risk management, business analysis and budget management skills.
2. Have negotiation and people management skills, along with a strong, customer-service focus in order to manage customer expectations and deliver outcomes that meet or exceed requirements.
3. As always, IT managers will also need to foster an environment focused on team work and personal development.
4. Can manage competing demands in a high-volume environment. IT can often be an 'easy target' for business units to blame for their own inabilities to deliver.

IDC analyst Peter Hind says great IT managers:

1. Will not be technology zealots or focused on one technology.
2. Will be open to options and conceive something others may not see as appropriate.
3. Bold, if they want to have an impact on the business.
4. Are savvy, but not reckless or foolish.
5. Focus on the output of IT.