We try to focus on productivity at IT Partners. After all, that is what any job comes down to in the end. The function of IT (or any technology) should be to enhance productivity allowing businesses to get more done in less time. When we look at our internal systems, it often suggests ways we could improve the systems and processes of our clients. Often the ability to work smarter is right in front of us. A recent example was being shown Microsoft Word’s Format Painter function by our newest staff member Alicia. I can’t believe I’ve never used this function before. What a time saver!
Recently an expert visited NZ to talk about the positive impact on the nation’s productivity if we all improved our Word, Excel and Outlook skills. A point that rang true for me was that the way you have always done something may no longer be (or perhaps never was) the best way of doing it.
I read a fantastic book in the weekend about Meetings. The book has had some decent reviews, and what delighted me even further was the buy-in from the team at IT Partners. It’s a very short read, but contains methods that could change the way you do business.
We are trying out a few ways to improve meetings. I’m using my internal blog to present notes and action points from our weekly meetings, so that there’s less to talk about, and thus less time wasted recapping what’s been decided already.
We continue to strive to get most of our documentation, notes, and processes into our wiki. We’ve also just taken the big step of fitting three LAN enabled projectors with a fourth coming soon. These allow us to quickly and easily display anything for the team that we might want input on. It has to be seen for the elegance of this solution to be grasped. Best of all, it has been extremely cost effective!
I am amazed at the quantity of job applications and requests for work experience that we get.
We have some tips in order for your application or request to be taken seriously:
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All the team at IT Partners have contact and position details available on the website. An email with Dear Sir, or even no addressing information indicates a lack of care or attention to detail
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Grammar and business style: what are we to interpret from poorly worded emails?
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If sending a CV, this should be concise and give us a broad understanding of your experience. A shopping list of minor qualifications isn’t useful to us. We need to know what you’ve done.
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Do your research. If you’re reading this blog, you are on the right track. There is no greater show-stopper than when you are asked at an interview “what do you know about us?” and we recieve a blank stare in reply.
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Ask for help. Get someone who is good at writing to critique your CV and cover letter before you send it and ask them to be honest
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Be honest. Don't say things you think we want to hear. It's not a true reflection of your personality.