I thought of putting my
experience about IT industry with completion of six plus years with vivid work experience
in three big known companies in this industry segment. I worked in half a dozen
of projects at various different locations in India and outside. In nutshell, the unique thing about this
industry is that no processes are entirely complete in itself which may lead/enable
a manager to complete a given project. This indicates that IT industry processes
are still in nascent stage and is in its development phase.
I remember when I joined my
first company as fresher, we had three month of training and then we were put
in knowledge pool popularly known as ‘bench’.
Here one thing which always rules group conversation is about ‘how to make good network?’ ’Networking will help getting project’, ’Fresher
drink party with senior/other employees to enable them make good network’
so and so’. My views are just to represent constructive critical critique about
this method which is widely popular and greatly advised by all managers/expert
in IT industry.
Benefits:-
There are numerous benefits
of networking one must have heard/implemented especially those who are direct
part of this market segment.
Good network of contacts always
helps in getting projects in shorter duration when switching from one project
to another. It enables you to try hand in new technology as your known peer
have confidence in your ability to grasp basics. It is also win-win situation for
both manager and resource as they sync with each other’s capability and trust.
Apart from being billable
for longer duration compare to idle time, networking also helps in learning and
sharing. You can quickly speak to expert whom you have worked earlier and ask
him about solution of problem you are facing in your current projects. It helps
gets you required skill set resource to fire-fight troubled projects. Networking
provides a comfort blanket around you in an organisation, which keeps you
moving and be cosy, of course your skills set and hard work is included.
Drawbacks:-
Though networking brings
lots of advantage but we have to ponder on its drawbacks as well. The below stated
disadvantage are the one which I have felt as participant viewer of this
industry. Inclusion in project based solely on networking has led to silent
feeling of dissatisfaction among new comers who are fresh blood and are ready
to take challenges. Though in course of time these group also become revenue
generators to companies but many fails to cope with the initial pressure of
networking. Networking meaning is same but its use has been confused from trust
to favour. Resource selected based on networking is most of the time treated
with special preference which sometime undermines other capable resource which
is being developed to become an asset. There are number of resources who gets
chance to work in project for 2-3 months of duration throughout the year, so from
networking point of view ideally he should have larger contacts but at the end
he is left with no one to support him/her during appraisal. So has networking helped
him/her?
On conclusion as processes of IT industry is in nascent stage so is the
concept of networking.
Few questions to think
about before you sign off:-
1.
Is networking
leading manager to become bureaucrats?
2.
Networking
in some way killing manager risk taking capability which in past has lead to
the growth of IT industry. Are we moving toward stagnation where processes are
still in nascent stage?
Thank You!
Satender Kumar Mall
Twitter: satenderiiit
