Leading in a Virtual Environment

Leading IT in a Virtual WorkforceMark Greenlaw, CIOCognizant

Cognizant ProfileGlobal IT Services CompanyFounded in 1994 as D&B Spin-off$3.27 B Revenues for 2009570+ CustomersFastest Growing in Industry (Source: BusinessWeek)2© 2008, Cognizant Technology Solutions. Not for Reproduction78,000+ Employees

Headquartered in New Jersey, with Global Operations

IT @ Cognizant: Technology & Transformation ServicesProvides business applications, technology infrastructure, and process improvement services to Cognizant business functions and associates.Mission is to enable scalable global business processes and technology platforms within Cognizant. 950+ global team members organized into 3 groups:Enterprise Application Services – provides global application development & maintenance services Network & Systems Services – provides global data center, network, computing, messaging, and desktop services Office of the CIO – provides overall IT management: strategy, architecture, relationship management, process improvement, organization change management, and Project and Portfolio Management. 4© 2008, Cognizant Technology Solutions. Not for Reproduction

Technology & Transformation Services TeamGlobal Footprint5© 2008, Cognizant Technology Solutions. Not for ReproductionToronto London AmsterdamFrankfurt Zurich Shanghai Singapore Teaneck, NJBridgewater, NJ Phoenix, AZBentonville, AKChicago, ILSchenectady, NYRaleigh, NCReston, VACharlotte, NCMaynard, MAHolliston, MAWayland, MAChennai PuneBangaloreKolkataHyderabadCoimbatoreKochiMumbaiGurgaonBuenos Aires

Cognizant Thesis10The confluence ofGlobalization,Demographics, and Technologyare changing the fundamental nature of organization and work itself

Globalization: Population changes by 205011522258%72963236803923051803768796520

Globalization: The Invisible HandNot unlike the invisible hand of a “market” economy directing resources to the most optimal useProduction of goods and services no longer recognizing political boundariesCorporate DNA is task-based, not geography-basedIncreased mobility, the Internet, and low-cost telecommunications are fueling this trendWell-codified processes are broken into sub-components, and then delivered wherever there is:Highest qualityGreatest efficiencyOptimal talentIgnoring or fighting today’s Invisible Hand is a losing game12© 2008, Cognizant Technology Solutions. Not for Reproduction

Demographics: The Millennials1/3 of the world’s population, 1/4 of the US populationThe biggest generation in the history of the world, at a time of the greatest change in historyBorn between 1977 and 199415 to 32 years old todayBecoming management in the next decade13

How are Millennials important and different?John Della Volpe, Harvard University“Millennials are…digital natives,fierce multi-taskerswho crave collaboration, travel in packs, and don’t mind status.”

15Technology: The Coming Cloud

Cloud is not just about computingProcesses, systems, and portions of businesses move “into the cloud” and become more virtual“Anywhere IT” will enable the user to work from any location on any device, enabled byCloud computingApplication mobilitySocial mediaSource: Yankee Group , February 2009All of these factors continue to change the nature of work and create a more virtual workforce16

It’s hard to separate the issuesVirtual IT teams are:Often globalTypically multiculturalUsually multigenerationalOften operate in different time zonesSometimes cross organizational boundariesPhysical distance is just one factor affecting the performance of virtual teams – IT Leaders must deal with all of them at once.19© 2008, Cognizant Technology Solutions. Not for Reproduction

Recommended ReadingCore CompetenciesCreate ContextCultivate CommunityCo-activate New LeadersLeadership ToolsTechno-dexterityGlocalizationTraverse BoundariesAuthenticity & Transparency20© 2008, Cognizant Technology Solutions. Not for Reproduction

Be Sensitive to the Small Things22© 2008, Cognizant Technology Solutions. Not for Reproduction In a virtual world, sports analogies, buzzwords, etc., may get lost in translation – be aware of culture and context

Skilled in managing across global borders

Able to advise you on the mood and vibe of virtual teamsBe Present and Mindful24© 2008, Cognizant Technology Solutions. Not for ReproductionVideo vs. audio conferencing requires that we be fully present – not multitasking“The most precious gift we can offer others is our presence.”“When you speak with 100% of your being, your speech becomes a mantra.” - ThichNhatHanh, Zen Buddhist Monk

25Enabling other Virtual LeadersImage by DaneelAriantho, from Flickr, under a Creative Commons license.

Enable Techno-Dexterity27© 2008, Cognizant Technology Solutions. Not for ReproductionAudio ConferencingPhoneEmail Instant MessagingWeb ConferencingTelepresence & HD VideoCollaboration SpacesBlogs, Wikis (CH1Blogs)Streamed Media (Ctube)Collaborative Work Environments (C2.0)Social Networking Tools

Leading in a Virtual Environment

Strong Ties, Weak Ties, and Innovation31NonePotentialWeakStrong tiesSource: Andrew McAfee, MIT

Leading in a Virtual Environment

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