We’re joined by a Power Panel of industry experts eager to get things started.Our agenda for today is to discuss how COVID-19 has forced companies to function in a digital-first way of working and has redefined industry boundaries & business models. Don’t forget to use the hashtag #STinsights.Visit https://t.co/16ERZxZS29 for more such discussions. #OneHCL pic.twitter.com/ny2yi3EdDY
— CIO Straight Talk (@CIOStraightTalk) July 30, 2020
We kick things off with a discussion about the challenges with a distributed and remote workplace.We have an amazing panel with us today. @allenholub @dhinchcliffe @mthiele10 @mdkail @bajajsachin @timbo2002 We’ll be introducing them in the upcoming tweets. #STinsights. Visit https://t.co/16ERZxIgDz for more such discussions. #tweetchat #OneHCL pic.twitter.com/c0hw6jmY99
— CIO Straight Talk (@CIOStraightTalk) July 30, 2020
Over communication and empowering remote workers with the right tools is a foundational step.We are going live with the #Tweetchat. Here's the 1st question. #STinsights #OneHCL @allenholub @dhinchcliffe @mthiele10 @mdkail @bajajsachin @timbo2002 pic.twitter.com/ou1trvQPGn
— CIO Straight Talk (@CIOStraightTalk) July 30, 2020
A: If the processes were designed properly, little change should be required. The two areas that might need increased attention are communication and tool or application performance for those needed to support functions remotely. #STInsights
— Mark Thiele #BLM (@mthiele10) July 30, 2020
A1: I’ve taken a “Work From Anywhere” approach for many years now, so proper agile processes are location-agnostic with a #ZeroTrust approach. #STinsights #OneHCL @CIOStraightTalk
— mike d. kail (@mdkail) July 30, 2020
Hi Mike - I agree - it is interesting how hard some businesses find to adapt though! It's a bit like offshoring all over again!
— Tim Sheedy (@timbo2002) July 30, 2020
Especially important to consider the security aspects of further extending core privileges and work streams to "Work from Anywhere" #WFA
— Mark Thiele #BLM (@mthiele10) July 30, 2020
A1: Building solid rapport with individual team members is a key in remote #agile.
— Moin Shaikh (@moingshaikh) July 30, 2020
Embracing personal connections is more critical than ever. Though nothing replaces a face-to-face meeting, using video conf. with a personal touch can help build bonding with team.#STInsights
Agree completely @moingshaikh its quite critical to use video conferencing effectively and make bonding with your team mates a ritual
— sachin bajaj (@bajajsachin) July 30, 2020
COVID-19 has made 1 thing for sure. Working from home which was an exception during PreCovid times has become the norm. Working from office which was the norm in PreCovid times has become the exception. Soon with 5G being avlbl, working fm Anywhere will b the norm
— laxmi narayan naik (@laxmina92497023) July 30, 2020
A1: Can’t copy the model of physical work into the #remotework medium. Must be rethought to be:
— Dion Hinchcliffe (@dhinchcliffe) July 30, 2020
- More proactively connected
- More asynchronous + scalable
- Highly distributed + participative
- More holistically designed
- Aimed @ wellbeing@CIOStraightTalk #OneHCL #STinsights https://t.co/oVBp8RYEGl pic.twitter.com/Zbdm5aFE1k
Agreed @dhinchcliffe Can you think of some considerations that can help organizations transition to their required future state and at the same time ensure easy adaptability by people? #STinsights #OneHCL @CIOStraightTalk @mdkail @bajajsachin @mthiele10 @timbo2002 @allenholub https://t.co/SxprAdbsbS
— Apoorva Agarwal (@Apoorva_Ag) July 30, 2020
Absolutely. Easy ways to help workers transition to a better distributed/#remotework state. Encourage:
— Dion Hinchcliffe (@dhinchcliffe) July 30, 2020
- #WorkingOutLoud/#WOL
- Making time for #sensemaking
- #Networkleadership
- Proactive #inclusion/open participation
- Open #innovation@CIOStraightTalk #STinsights #OneHCL
Next, our experts debate how the new ways of working differ and the right way to think about success.We've been trained in school and the office environment to think like a factory/production line. Life and productivity isn't like that. Allow work to fit into life for better success. #STInsights
— Mark Thiele #BLM (@mthiele10) July 30, 2020
Customer focus, experience, and speed remain unchanged even during times of disruption.Join in the conversation using #STinsights #OneHCL #Tweetchat. And our second question is: pic.twitter.com/985l4Ekiof
— CIO Straight Talk (@CIOStraightTalk) July 30, 2020
Q2. Success criteria shouldn’t change – it should be about delivering code at pace that drives improved customer & employee experiences. The change in org structure shouldn’t impact the KPIs @CIOStraightTalk #STinsights #OneHCL
— Tim Sheedy (@timbo2002) July 30, 2020
A2: #COVID19 has been a forcing-function for those behind the transformation curve to shore up their agile, or often “WAgile” processes Success criteria will depend upon goals, but engagement and release frequency/velocity are two common ones #STinsights #OneHCL @CIOStraightTalk
— mike d. kail (@mdkail) July 30, 2020
Velocity is a bogus metric even when working in an office. What I care about is the "product development flow" across the entire system. The velocity of an individual team is a destructive distraction. #STinsights
— Allen Holub (@allenholub) July 30, 2020
I couldn't disagree more. Velocity is a "2 pizza team" metric, not an office/system metric, and most certainly not destructive. #STinsights @CIOStraightTalk
— mike d. kail (@mdkail) July 30, 2020
The ability to deliver & continually improve great customer & employee experiences at pace is what will help companies win & retain customers. Call it what you want, the speed of delivery is important - although experience should always trump speed @CIOStraightTalk #STinsights
— Tim Sheedy (@timbo2002) July 30, 2020
A: The ability to function independently as much as possible
— Mark Thiele #BLM (@mthiele10) July 30, 2020
Well defined communication protocols
Training on role failover and recovery #STInsights
Next, our panel considers if new ways of working require new structures and the challenges they can pose.The frameworks should be agnostic from the developers’ location by design, and the governance and management processes should be independent from where ppl is doing the job.
— Juanjo Cebrian (@tjuanjo) July 30, 2020
It’s clear that teams need to be more autonomous while ensuring clear visibility across levels.Time for our third question for the forum. Keep the questions coming! Join the conversation using #STinsights #Tweetchat #OneHCL pic.twitter.com/evv23kH51b
— CIO Straight Talk (@CIOStraightTalk) July 30, 2020
Our latest @ecosystm360 data shows that many businesses didn’t have their IT processes in place for a remote working world. @CIOStraightTalk #STinsights #OneHCL pic.twitter.com/oEcJZqAoit
— Tim Sheedy (@timbo2002) July 30, 2020
A There are as many unique collaboration and work structures out there as there are enterprises. To better address a pandemic type situation communication plans and role sharing are critical. No single point of failure in communication or roles and responsibilities.#STInsights
— Mark Thiele #BLM (@mthiele10) July 30, 2020
A3: Only if you have a monolithic team/org structure today and corresponding results are under Conway’s Law. Small, “2 pizza” teams have been shown to be extremely successful well before the #COVID19 pandemic. #STinsights #OneHCL @CIOStraightTalk
— mike d. kail (@mdkail) July 30, 2020
Q3. If your dev teams weren’t officially embedded into the product, customer or business teams, you will likely find it harder to bring the outcome owners together with the developers creating the new or improved digital experiences. @CIOStraightTalk #STinsights #OneHCL
— Tim Sheedy (@timbo2002) July 30, 2020
💯. The core objective and the end goal of dev team is to build solution that solves business problems.
— Moin Shaikh (@moingshaikh) July 30, 2020
If the developers aren't involved and engaged with product/cust/biz teams, they are unlikely to understand the WHO, WHY, and HOW of their work.#STInsights #OneHCL
With no visibility to the end of this pandemic, any thoughts on how to use this as an opportunity to build more change managers on the team? #STinsights #OneHCL @allenholub@dhinchcliffe @mthiele10 @mdkail @bajajsachin @timbo2002 @CIOStraightTalk
— Neha Anand (@NehaAnandBrahma) July 30, 2020
Interesting you asked about change managers @NehaAnandBrahma we are seeing every squad in agile delivering adopting to change management more seamlessly. We see more discipline
— sachin bajaj (@bajajsachin) July 30, 2020
I'd argue a great digital business doesn't need change managers (to the same extent) - as the management of change is part of the culture & toolset of the business. If you need to bring in a change manager for every change u r doomed @CIOStraightTalk #STinsights #OneHCL
— Tim Sheedy (@timbo2002) July 30, 2020
I'm an agile guy, which is to say that "change managers" give me the willies. I want to see a collaborative and iterative process for change in place, not a managed process with single points of failure up the hierarchy.
— Allen Holub (@allenholub) July 30, 2020
Q3 - Maybe it’s time to consider a wholesale shift to more of a “digital business” org structure – where outcome owners and creators are aligned so they can drive the best outcomes together? @CIOStraightTalk #STinsights #OneHCL pic.twitter.com/RrC4JZjQKA
— Tim Sheedy (@timbo2002) July 30, 2020
Shouldn't we be moving towards a flipped, servant-leader structure anyway. That's just Agile, not particularly digital-centric.
— Allen Holub (@allenholub) July 30, 2020
A3: It entirely depends on the pre-#COVID huddles. If they were:
— Dion Hinchcliffe (@dhinchcliffe) July 30, 2020
- Learning quickly from working experience
- Involving end-stakeholders at scale
- Empathizing with actual needs
- Openly involving self-identified stakeholders
Then no. ;-)@CIOStraightTalk #STinsights #OneHCL https://t.co/cPJxwJsRlA
The issue of consistent employee productivity in the long run is a pertinent query for our panel.Agree!
— Tim Sheedy (@timbo2002) July 30, 2020
In an outcome oriented world, the metrics of productivity remain the same – excellence and innovation.A big shoutout to everyone on our panel. Here’s our fourth question. Join the conversation using #STinsights #Tweetchat #OneHCL pic.twitter.com/dqevPo4lgv
— CIO Straight Talk (@CIOStraightTalk) July 30, 2020
Businesses have been harping on about the "digital workplace" for years - the ability for employees to deliver the right outcome regardless of location or device. If we get this right today, we deliver the Digital Workplace years ahead of schedule @CIOStraightTalk #STinsights
— Tim Sheedy (@timbo2002) July 30, 2020
Right now newly #WFA employees & their leaders are treating this as an "interruption". Like camping, "don't worry about the performance & headaches Mark it will be over soon & you can have your hot shower back". That may not happen & it chgs assumptions for success #STInsights
— Mark Thiele #BLM (@mthiele10) July 30, 2020
Yes. Strive for excellence now, keep the lessons, move forward with new success model. Hiding in the corner hurts everyone. #STInsights
— Jim St.Clair (@jstclair1) July 30, 2020
So true. Sadly, many leaders, especially in IT tend to hind behind their email when things go bad, exactly when their teams need them out in front with them. #STInsights
— Mark Thiele #BLM (@mthiele10) July 30, 2020
When thinking about #WFA we need to consider that many will be in this situation for the first time and their use of company assets/applications will drive needs to support new & unique user requirements #STInsights
— Mark Thiele #BLM (@mthiele10) July 30, 2020
Agreed - those in the IT industry have had a head start and those in other industries and disciplines have had to find their way. #STinsights #OneHCL #tweetchat
— Brett Moorgas (@BrettMoorgas) July 30, 2020
Few I've spoken with have taken into account that moving an employee with 5-7 hours a day access to an interactive application remote is very different from a consultant, IT person, or Sales. #STinsights
— Mark Thiele #BLM (@mthiele10) July 30, 2020
I'm also not seeing enough thinking about how to provide adequate support for remote. Too many orgs just dump everything from bandwidth to equipment onto the backs of the employees. #STinsights
— Allen Holub (@allenholub) July 30, 2020
I agree - and unsurprisingly, the best examples are the companies that thought this through, tested & tweaked as part of a formal digital workplace strategy pre-COVID. @CIOStraightTalk #STinsights #OneHCL
— Tim Sheedy (@timbo2002) July 30, 2020
My favorite thing about many IT managers is that they were promoted because they were great coders... But bad management isn't unique to IT teams - it runs across every business unit! @CIOStraightTalk #STinsights #OneHCL
— Tim Sheedy (@timbo2002) July 30, 2020
All the more reason for self-organizing autonomous teams that manage their own work collectively. Pull that "bad management" out of the picture entirely. #STInsights
— Allen Holub (@allenholub) July 30, 2020
I am seeing some change in that view. There is a slow recognition that things might change for good. This is particularly so in the businesses that are seeing increased productivity (obviously). @CIOStraightTalk #STinsights #OneHCL
— Tim Sheedy (@timbo2002) July 30, 2020
A4: First, at this point I’m not sure the world is ever going to return to normal. #Agile methodology is about increasing collaboration, removing blockers, which in turn certainly increases productivity. Leadership should remove any friction #STinsights #OneHCL @CIOStraightTalk
— mike d. kail (@mdkail) July 30, 2020
Some organizations were already feeling an acute skill mismatch and with the pandemic it might have increased. How can organizations upskill there workforce to adapt to this rapidly changing conditions and sustain in the long run? @CIOStraightTalk #STInsights #OneHCL
— Shivam Chhibber (@shivam_chhibber) July 30, 2020
By doing what they always should have done - spend money on training and reskilling people. The BEST businesses invest in training of their staff. We know we need new skills today, so go out and train people on them! @CIOStraightTalk #STinsights #OneHCL
— Tim Sheedy (@timbo2002) July 30, 2020
You also need a culture of learning, I think. it must be okay to run experiments to learn stuff. You need a culture where there is no "failure," only successful learning. #STinsights #OneHCL
— Allen Holub (@allenholub) July 30, 2020
I agree 100% with this! I am gobsmacked by how many businesses act surprised when they don't have the cloud/AI/Edge/data/security etc skills when they need them even though they have known they would need them for years! @CIOStraightTalk #STinsights #OneHCL
— Tim Sheedy (@timbo2002) July 30, 2020
Leading by example vs. fear is a great start, and rapidly implementing training programs that uplevel analog talent into digital talent #STinsights
— mike d. kail (@mdkail) July 30, 2020
A Normal will be different for each enterprise. The capabilities and lessons learned during the Pandemic will only strengthen virtual teams for the future. #STInsights
— Mark Thiele #BLM (@mthiele10) July 30, 2020
Perhaps new challenge is managing hybrid teams and virtual vs. physical collaborators #STInsights
— Jim St.Clair (@jstclair1) July 30, 2020
I feel like leaders were already working with hybrid teams. Those that were are likely to have come through COVID19 in better shape.#STInsights
— Mark Thiele #BLM (@mthiele10) July 30, 2020
A) Define "normalcy" and understand that professionals like myself exist to improve "normalcy" for .orgs including government agencies and commercial operations in all kinds of sectors
— Jeremy E. Simpson (@Kringle) July 30, 2020
B) Why assume return to "normalcy"? Is that a necessary goal or wise management policy?
"Chaos is the new normal"
— mike d. kail (@mdkail) July 30, 2020
Q4. Businesses who made the switch to remote agile development already talk to the benefits & productivity gain. This is locked in by the processes & tools. Things stop falling between the gaps when colleagues are sick, go on leave, resign, travel. @CIOStraightTalk #STinsights
— Tim Sheedy (@timbo2002) July 30, 2020
We are all on an overdrive currently- responding with speed to this new normal, but difficult to sustain! Fatigue could set in soon! In this context what's your advice to agile leaders? #STinsights #OneHCL @allenholub@dhinchcliffe @mthiele10 @mdkail @bajajsachin @timbo2002
— Neha Anand (@NehaAnandBrahma) July 30, 2020
And finally, our panel zero in on how leadership plays a key role in ensuring success.Focus on keeping people productive. That drives employee satisfaction. Managers should be working hard to get rid of all distractions, friction & complications from their developers processes. They just want to deliver great code. @CIOStraightTalk #STinsights #OneHCL
— Tim Sheedy (@timbo2002) July 30, 2020
So, while the future lies uncertain, a leader’s focus doesn’t change – empowering teams and driving outcomes.Here’s our final formal question to the panel—but keep shooting YOUR questions, using #STinsights #OneHCL pic.twitter.com/pGsdJsmC1e
— CIO Straight Talk (@CIOStraightTalk) July 30, 2020
A: It really depends on what "Post COVID" means to that particular business or work group. Generally speaking, if you executed effectively during the pandemic, then you'll be ready for what comes after. #STInsights
— Mark Thiele #BLM (@mthiele10) July 30, 2020
Doubtful there is a "Post COVID" unfortunately #STinsights
— mike d. kail (@mdkail) July 30, 2020
Unfortunate reality. We don't know when or if ther will be the post pandemic situation anytime soon.#STInsights
— Moin Shaikh (@moingshaikh) July 30, 2020
Agreed - The highest percentage of likelihood I've seen is "old normal" possible in 2022. Can't hold up prod til then #STInsights
— Jim St.Clair (@jstclair1) July 30, 2020
Exactly. Those who insist on knowing what the post pandemic situation would be, THIS IS IT.
— Moin Shaikh (@moingshaikh) July 30, 2020
We must start moving forward with current settings, assuming this is what the post pandemic world or the new normal is.
We can't keep planning and holding up anymore.#STInsights
Can you shed some light on how this pandemic has affected the way your organization operates? #STinsights #OneHCL
— Chhaya Rathi (@RathiChhaya) July 30, 2020
It hasn't changed our distributed operating model one iota. We have always been distributed. #STinsights
— mike d. kail (@mdkail) July 30, 2020
A5: A Leader should continue to focus on arming their Org/Team with the best possible tools and frictionless processes irrespective of #COVID19. Clear, Concise communication on a continual basis trumps everything else and calms nerves #STinsights #OneHCL @CIOStraightTalk
— mike d. kail (@mdkail) July 30, 2020
A5: "Normalcy" will defined by efficiency. #Virtual may continue to rule in certain teams/case/industries if the shift ended up being more effective. #STInsights
— Jim St.Clair (@jstclair1) July 30, 2020
Agree with your stance, but this answer is the classic "off by one" error :-) #STinsights https://t.co/hCLXqkUOf5
— mike d. kail (@mdkail) July 30, 2020
Leading by example vs. fear is a great start, and rapidly implementing training programs that uplevel analog talent into digital talent #STinsights
— mike d. kail (@mdkail) July 30, 2020
A5: A Leader should continue to focus on arming their Org/Team with the best possible tools and frictionless processes irrespective of #COVID19. Clear, Concise communication on a continual basis trumps everything else and calms nerves #STinsights #OneHCL @CIOStraightTalk
— mike d. kail (@mdkail) July 30, 2020
A5. Flexibility and adaptability should be the key focus areas for leaders to make their team as prepared as possible to thrive in this times of uncertainty.
— Moin Shaikh (@moingshaikh) July 30, 2020
Also, communication, commitment, and connectivity within teams matter more than ever. #STInsights #OneaHCL
Q5 - Digital will be much more important in a “post-COVID world". The digital development capabilities we drive today will be even more important in the future. Great leadership is more important than ever! @CIOStraightTalk #STinsights #OneHCL pic.twitter.com/8u7d9GqOAG
— Tim Sheedy (@timbo2002) July 30, 2020
Q5 Make sure your teams have the RIGHT tools they need to stay productive. This might mean going “off corporate strategy” as their needs are different to other information workers. @CIOStraightTalk #STinsights #OneHCL
— Tim Sheedy (@timbo2002) July 30, 2020
BUT the less time they spend in the tools, the more productive they will be – so make sure you find the right tools for your development teams - ones that keep them productive. @CIOStraightTalk #STinsights #OneHCL
— Tim Sheedy (@timbo2002) July 30, 2020
A5: With most of the professional world remote now, the most important skill is #networkleadership:
— Dion Hinchcliffe (@dhinchcliffe) July 30, 2020
- Influence others digitally at scale
- Cultivate digital/social capital
- Curate the best ideas
- Organize shared outcomes that matter@CIOStraightTalk #STinsights #OneHCL https://t.co/qVabUwuTYR pic.twitter.com/HfSAuVIwSH
A5. In #telehealth we talk about sych vs asynch comms. Asynch can take place regularly, scheduled intervals, tailored message. Reinforces pre and post-synch msg periods (virtual/F2F) to reinforce guidance/reqs/training #STInsights
— Jim St.Clair (@jstclair1) July 30, 2020
Q5 - To increase productivity today, too many dev teams are going "above and beyond" (perhaps LOTS of extra emails, IMs, video conferences, Wikis etc). @CIOStraightTalk #STinsights #OneHCL
— Tim Sheedy (@timbo2002) July 30, 2020
And with we end another amazing session! Until next time!A5: COVID changes nothing, and the post-COVID world will be fundamentally like the pre-COVID world. We need to focus on agility, on delivering software our customers find valuable, on humane and collaborative ways of working. We should be doing that now.#STinsights
— Allen Holub (@allenholub) July 30, 2020
A big thank you to our Power Panel for their #STinsights and those who joined us for this exclusive discussion on our #Tweetchat #OneHCL @allenholub @dhinchcliffe @mthiele10 @mdkail @bajajsachin @timbo2002 pic.twitter.com/1IMo8wLLdM
— CIO Straight Talk (@CIOStraightTalk) July 30, 2020
Thanks - that was lots of fun! Imagine what we could achieve if we did this on a webinar or webcast! I am humbled to be included with some great minds from the tech industry! @CIOStraightTalk #STinsights #OneHCL
— Tim Sheedy (@timbo2002) July 30, 2020
Thank you to the wonderful panelists and the entire @CIOStraightTalk #STInsights community for an insightful discussion.
— Moin Shaikh (@moingshaikh) July 30, 2020
Thank you for inviting me. I enjoyed the vigorous and educational discussion #STInsights
— Mark Thiele #BLM (@mthiele10) July 30, 2020
So glad I wandered by, looked in the window, and saw these great folks at the bar talking #STinsights @CIOStraightTalk
— Jim St.Clair (@jstclair1) July 30, 2020
#OneHCL https://t.co/Vxw5M3eGJR
We’ll close the #Tweetchat with an article by Alain Paolini, Associate Vice President-Digital & Analytics, @hcltech, on “Are You Resilient? Four Pandemic-Driven Take-Aways On Managing Change”. https://t.co/D3EkUWMyIF #STinsights #Tweetchat #OneHCL
— CIO Straight Talk (@CIOStraightTalk) July 30, 2020