Comments on: Gaining Office Allies in the Right Places

By: JL

JL — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 19:42:19 +0000

Great post. Should be common sense for everyone, but “just be nice” will take you soooo far with the IT department. I’ve also been saved a few times by the admin staff. You definitely need buddies to make it through some office warfare.

By: Jason Schwartz

Jason Schwartz — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 19:53:52 +0000

This article is INSANELY true and definitely rings home when it comes to IT folks.

At every company, IT is ALWAYS taken for granted and people usually only interact with them when something is broken, or they need a favor.

You definitely need to stay “in” with IT at all times, whether you need something or not.

By: Karsten Rowe

Karsten Rowe — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 14:53:55 +0000

Great post, interesting read. Especially agree with the last paragrah that refers to ‘Office Enemies’.

By: Joseph Lewis

Joseph Lewis — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 12:23:39 +0000

Colin, I completely understand. And I don’t think your analogy needs any explanation, it was perfectly clear to me!

By: Colin

Colin — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 21:07:42 +0000

I am currently an IT admin, you are right. I am less likely to help someone if they are extremely rude. I usually outright refuse to work with them.

If my CIO or the Managing Director bother me about it I simply indicate that I have projects A to J on the go, each project hinging on a few thousand dollars, while the employee wants something completely superfluous in comparison.

Sounds vindictive but the level of stress I deal with daily is way beyond that of any job I’ve ever worked in. I read somewhere (might have been on this site) about prioritization; your top level priorities should be putting out the fires and IT people are essentially full-time firefighters. No matter what the problem is users generally have the “fix it now!” mentality which creates a false sense of urgency, bumping more important tasks down, and destroying any SLA goals.

On one truly hectic day I used the analogy “They’re like the three stooges and the door. They all try to go through the door at the same time. The three stooges being the department managers, the door frame being the IT department and the action of going through the door being their demands for having their problems resolved immediately.”
Of course because that analogy needs an explanation it makes it an ineffective analogy but it’s the best I’ve come up with so far. 3 idiots getting stuck in a door frame.

I believe this video is a good supplement to your IT section: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Pr3L6H80dw

By: maryland mortgage modification

maryland mortgage modification — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 19:49:29 +0000

How hilarious! I just started working in an office three days ago. Definitely see how everyone groups up and hangs out with only certain people. It’s so strange.

This post was great though. Very true. Thanks for the laugh.

By: jason

jason — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 16:53:01 +0000

Truer words have never…..
great post – too much time and energy is wasted in tiny office wars. It’s easier (and more productive/enjoyable) to spend your time making allies.

I hope i’m not considered the curmudgeon in my office….

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Wed, 18 Nov 2009 15:05:52 +0000

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