When I run into a problem that is outside my daily routine, I fully communicate the issue with my manager in an official memo and include possible steps to resolution, pitfalls, potential issues, etc, and propose multiple solutions. Their responses are cataloged with the memo. In the event the response is verbal, I confirm their response via e-mail.
Often times I include the cheap, quick fix and also the long-term solution which may require additional capital. If I do my job right, it empowers my manager and the big boss to make a good business decision which allows their trust in me to grow. If the problem requires a quick response, I take care of it, and then document the problem after the fact, and ways to avoid it in the future. These are very handy to have around review time. My current company believes in providing the right tool for the job, and getting it done right the first time. I was shocked when they spent over $200k in my first month to get the right tools for the job I was working on. My previous employer did not have the funds to make those same decisions. We did all we could to stretch out the band-aid solution with 7 year old servers and nothing under contract so we could have our jobs as long as possible. They are now on the brink of bankruptcy, but that extra 18 months of slave labor helped me move on to the job of my choice, rather than the first thing that came along. FWIW Klint Tim Vander Kooi wrote: > > Well then you were recognized. I certainly don't think that everyone > in IT needs to be heralded by the entire company. Just so long as the > right people have the right information that's what matters. > > > > > > *From:* [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] > *Sent:* Friday, June 20, 2008 12:41 PM > *To:* NT System Admin Issues > *Subject:* RE: Five Things.... > > > > I brought it to my boss' attention at review time. That recognition > meant more to me and my family. > > > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ > > *From:* Tim Vander Kooi [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] > *Sent:* Friday, June 20, 2008 1:16 PM > *To:* NT System Admin Issues > *Subject:* RE: Five Things.... > > > > I would say that part of being a successful "IT guy", is being able to > bring your accomplishments to the attention of others. If you do your > job and do it well yet no one realizes that, then you are doing > something wrong. > > > > > > *From:* [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] > *Sent:* Friday, June 20, 2008 12:09 PM > *To:* NT System Admin Issues > *Subject:* RE: Five Things.... > > > > I think that's the difference. Your company was built with IT, and an > IT-centric person is very near the top. They "get" it. > > > > For the most part, I agree with the lack of recognition sentiments. > What I did was invisible to the rest of the company, because I did it > well. They never knew when there was a problem, upgrade, etc. If > they did know about it, it was because mistakes were made. I get that > though. I am an "IT Guy". I knew what I was getting myself into, and > I'm fine with it. > > > > I only recently started working for my current company, but it seems > better here. I am looked at as a person that can, and will, help them > do business better. > > > > > > > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ > > *From:* Joe Heaton [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] > *Sent:* Friday, June 20, 2008 12:56 PM > *To:* NT System Admin Issues > *Subject:* RE: Five Things.... > > > > That's too bad. My second IT job was as the Network Admin for a > small, rapidly growing technology company. The company started in the > bedroom of the two brothers, one of which ended up as the CIO, and > therefore, my boss. He was really good about recognizing not only > network accomplishments, but the developers/programmers also. After > the big Code Red virus, which took us 3 days to fully recover from (I > got about 4 hours of sleep in that period), I actually received a nice > desk clock with an engraving, and a decent gift card, along with > recognition at the monthly company meeting. Was pretty cool... > > > > Joe Heaton > > > > > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ > > *From:* James Kerr [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] > *Sent:* Friday, June 20, 2008 6:42 AM > *To:* NT System Admin Issues > *Subject:* Re: Five Things.... > > I like the 5 things you SHOULD say to your boss, specially mentioning > your successes. That's one thing I dislike about IT because it seems > like the best you can do is maintain the status quo. Even if you > complete a huge project, there is never a thank you for working all > weekend or into the night to get that project done even if it has a > great outcome for the company. Its been like that at every job I've > worked at. Every year the company I work for has a picnic for the > employees and during that picnic they recognize staff for different > things, never once have they mentioned anything about IT in the 7 > years I've been going. > > > > Whatever, as long as I get my raise, I'm happy. What really counts is > me and my family at home. ;-) > > > > James > > ----- Original Message ----- > > *From:* Tom Strader - NCBPAC Systems Administrator > <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > > *To:* NT System Admin Issues > <mailto:[email protected]> > > *Sent:* Friday, June 20, 2008 8:42 AM > > *Subject:* OT: Five Things.... > > > > > > Five things you should never tell your boss > http://cwflyris.computerworld.com/t/3301042/4753902/121207/2/ > > > > > Thanks, > /Tom Strader/ > *NC Blumenthal Performing Arts Center* > Server/Network Systems Administrator > 130 N. Tryon St. > Charlotte, NC 28202 > O: 704.379.1285 | F:704.444.2098 > [EMAIL PROTECTED] <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > > "Action without intelligence is ignorance". But, Intelligence > without appropriate action is the highest form of stupidity known > to man" > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > ~ Upgrade to Next Generation Antispam/Antivirus with Ninja! ~ ~ <http://www.sunbelt-software.com/SunbeltMessagingNinja.cfm> ~
