eBook: The Adventures of an IT Leader
Part Four Chapter 13 Emerging Technology
Part Four Chapter 14 Vendor Partnering
Fratto, N. (2019, July 5). 3 ways to measure your adaptability — and how to improve it [Video]. TED Residency.
Morieux, Y. (2014, January 23). As work gets more complex, 6 rules to simplify [Video]. TED@BCG San Francisco.
Reflect on the topics we have covered this week and respond to the following questions ( 200 words per question).
How would you respond to Bernie Rubens three questions about how IVK should respond to emerging technologies?
What advice would you offer to Barton to help him break the cycle of constant firefighting?
Which vendor, contract structure, and service delivery model should IVK choose?
How should IVK hire to support contract management?
Will very good technical employees be needed in a future characterized by high levels of IT outsourcing?
Sample solution
Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell.
In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.
God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.
Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.
To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.
References
Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.
Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.
Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.
Sample Answer
Sample Answer
How would you respond to Bernie Rubens three questions about how IVK should respond to emerging technologies?
Bernie Rubens’ three questions regarding IVK’s response to emerging technologies are pivotal for guiding the organization in a rapidly evolving IT landscape. First, Rubens asks, “What technologies should we prioritize?” In response, IVK should adopt a strategic approach by evaluating technologies that align with the company’s objectives and customer needs. Prioritizing cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and data analytics can enhance operational efficiency and provide better customer insights.
Second, Rubens inquires, “How do we evaluate potential technology investments?” It is critical for IVK to implement a robust framework for evaluating technology investments. This includes conducting a cost-benefit analysis, assessing scalability, and examining the potential return on investment. Engaging stakeholders during the evaluation process will ensure that the chosen technologies receive buy-in and align with the overall strategic vision.
Lastly, Rubens asks, “What skills do our team members need?” To adapt successfully to emerging technologies, IVK must focus on upskilling its workforce. This could involve providing training in data science, cybersecurity, and cloud management. By fostering a culture of continuous learning, IVK can ensure its team is well-equipped to leverage new technologies effectively.
What advice would you offer to Barton to help him break the cycle of constant firefighting?
To help Barton break the cycle of constant firefighting, it is essential for him to adopt a proactive management approach rather than a reactive one. First, I would advise him to implement robust project management methodologies, such as Agile or Scrum. These frameworks encourage iterative progress and allow for regular reviews, helping identify potential issues before they escalate into crises.
Second, Barton should prioritize establishing clear communication channels among team members. Weekly check-ins can help identify emerging problems and facilitate collaboration on solutions. By fostering an open environment where team members feel comfortable sharing challenges early on, Barton can mitigate the risk of fires igniting.
Additionally, Barton should invest time in root cause analysis for recurring issues. Understanding the underlying causes will enable him to implement more effective long-term solutions rather than quick fixes. Lastly, I would recommend that Barton delegate responsibilities where appropriate. Empowering team members to take ownership of specific tasks will not only alleviate his workload but also promote a sense of accountability and initiative within the team.
Which vendor, contract structure, and service delivery model should IVK choose?
When selecting a vendor and contract structure for IVK, it is crucial to align these choices with the company’s strategic goals and operational needs. For vendors, IVK should consider partnering with established companies that have a proven track record in delivering reliable IT services and solutions. A vendor specializing in cloud services would be beneficial, given the increasing trend toward digital transformation.
In terms of contract structure, I recommend adopting a hybrid model that combines fixed-price agreements for predictable projects with time-and-materials contracts for more fluid engagements. This approach will provide IVK with cost predictability while allowing flexibility for projects that may require adjustments as they evolve.
Regarding the service delivery model, IVK should consider a managed services approach. This model allows IVK to focus on its core business while outsourcing specific IT functions to specialized vendors. Managed services can enhance operational efficiency by providing continuous support, monitoring, and management of IT systems while allowing IVK to scale its resources according to changing business needs.
How should IVK hire to support contract management?
To effectively support contract management at IVK, hiring practices must emphasize both technical expertise and strong interpersonal skills. First and foremost, IVK should seek candidates with experience in contract negotiation and management within the IT industry. These professionals should understand the nuances of vendor relationships, compliance regulations, and performance metrics.
Moreover, it is essential to prioritize candidates who possess excellent communication skills. Effective contract management requires clear communication with vendors and internal stakeholders alike. Individuals who can articulate expectations and foster collaborative relationships will be invaluable in this role.
Additionally, hiring individuals with a background in project management can enhance contract oversight. Such candidates will be adept at ensuring that projects meet contractual obligations while adhering to timelines and budgets. Lastly, IVK should consider incorporating training programs focused on contract management best practices, giving new hires the tools they need to succeed and adapt to changing market conditions.
Will very good technical employees be needed in a future characterized by high levels of IT outsourcing?
Yes, very good technical employees will still be needed even in a future characterized by high levels of IT outsourcing. While outsourcing can provide access to specialized skills and cost savings, it does not eliminate the need for internal expertise. Highly skilled technical employees are essential for several reasons.
First, these employees will be crucial in managing vendor relationships effectively. They must understand the organization’s technical requirements and evaluate whether outsourced services align with strategic objectives. Additionally, good technical employees play a vital role in overseeing the quality of work delivered by external vendors, ensuring compliance with industry standards and internal policies.
Second, internal technical talent will be necessary for innovation and strategic decision-making. Organizations will require skilled professionals who can assess emerging technologies and determine how best to integrate them into existing systems while maximizing value from outsourced services.
Lastly, even with outsourcing, organizations will need technical employees for critical thinking and problem-solving roles that require intimate knowledge of internal processes and systems. Thus, maintaining a core group of highly skilled technical employees remains vital for long-term success in an increasingly outsourced IT environment.
