Allan Baird

ALLAN BAIRD

Position: Strategic Information Technology Consultant
Company: Self Employed

Biography
Allan Baird holds graduate and post-graduate qualifications in Industrial Engineering, Business, and Information Systems. He is a Fellow of the Australian Computer Society, and an Associate of the Institute of Industrial Engineers (Aust.) He currently operates as an independent consultant specialising in: IT Strategy, Stakeholder Management, Vendor Resource Management, Benefits Realisation and Earned Value.

He has also been a Course Coordinator, Lecturer and Tutor at the University of SA in the post-graduate courses Engaging the Client, Organisational Transformation and Business Process Modelling and the under-graduate design thinking|digital innovation course, Design Thinking Studio.

Most IT professionals come with a technical background and education. They have cut their teeth on the tools. However, with the greater commoditisation of IT and many of the technical skills being supplied through outsourcers, the role of the on-shore in-house IT professional is rapidly evolving into one of a trusted advisor. This represents one of the greatest reskilling challenges for the IT professional today – it is critical to each professional’s relevance going forward in a developed economy.

But what does it take for the traditional IT professional to morph into a trusted advisor?

This seminar will answer this question and more. It will define the role of the trusted advisor, and will identify the skills necessary for an IT professional to truly become a trusted advisor.

Some of the key topics covered in the presentation will be:

• Creating and maintaining trusted relationships
• Establishing the right balance between trust and influence
• Navigate existing and emerging organisation cultures.
• Introducing the Stakeholder Analysis Global View©, an approach that extends the traditional approach to stakeholder analysis by increasing its utility
• Constructing effective communications with stakeholders
• Managing continuing advice.

This seminar will provide valuable information and skills for IT professionals who understand the value of trusted partnerships in today’s contemporary organisations. The seminar will help unlock the individual potential and corporate value of today’s IT professional to become tomorrow’s trusted advisor.

Attendees can expect to take away:

• An understanding of the skills and qualities of a trusted advisor
• An appreciation of holistic stakeholder management
• How to make the best of communicating as a trusted advisor
• Understanding the stakeholder advice cycle and stakeholders’ needs throughout the cycle

BABOK V3 Alignment: Chapter 9: Underlying Competencies, Chapter 10: Techniques