How has IT been impacted in the context of remote work? 
57% of presidents of large corporations consider the IT sector the major contributor  for the company's growth 

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Research by McKinsey has shown that the Covid-19 pandemic has accelerated the adoption of digital technologies and transformed the reality of business forever. IT has been fundamental in the remote work format. 

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In a survey by the Institute for Business Value (IBV), when CEO’s were asked who on the team played the key role for the organization in the last 3 years, 57% of respondents indicated that the CIO (Chief of Information Technology) was the main contributor. 

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In this ever-changing environment, companies need to understand this new reality and be open to revised strategies and practices. The adoption of new technologies offers advantages in saving resources and is an important factor in deciding the future of the market. IT Manager Sid Oliveira experienced the transition from IT as technical problem solving with little human contact to an IT in remote work, which demands greater levels of communication and collaborative work. 

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There are people behind IT, IT is for people 

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Sid says that he frequently attends events to learn about new software and tools, but also believes that there is no point in having the latest software if the team does not have excellent team management. 

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The IT team is very much in alignment with the Elephant Skin strategy, and understands the company’s mission. Therefore, they took a step back from the purely technical role of answering calls and opening tickets to an attitude of understanding the company in general and preparing for their expected growth. 

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The Institute for Business Value (IBM) reflects upon the relevance to the current scenario of factors such as open innovation, partnerships with the ecosystem, and the construction of purposes that generate trust and strengthens the relationship with employees. Leonardo Lopes, IT Support at ES, considers IT far beyond 'putting out fires' and solving technological glitches in an organization. Anticipating problems is also a major part of the strategy. “I see IT as a vehicle to connect the company's cores; the driving force that makes everything function in a solid and cohesive manner.” 

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Autonomy and greater participation 

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The pandemic of 2020 introduced the concept of remote work to many professionals. Communication with IT became ever more important, especially in the case of professionals such as 3D artists, who deal with a specific software. 

 

IT Support Evanildo Cambras says that, until his role with Elephant Skin, he had never worked remotely or with 3D. “In this sector, IT is essential for everything to work in harmony. We constantly introduce new resources and programs to facilitate the daily lives of 3D artists and the company as a whole.” 

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IT also participates in all the decisions that are made at Elephant Skin. At some point, all company directions and goals pay a visit to the IT department … whether at the time of hiring, when it will be necessary to prepare a work structure for the professional, or when new materials will be needed, aligning with the finance team. 

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'Open a ticket' is replaced with dialogue 

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IT was once an environment in which technique predominated, and so communication between sectors remained poorly developed. In the context of remote work, however, the performance would need to be different. 

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Sid explains, “It used to be like this: you sat at the machine, doing just what was necessary, often not interacting with anyone. Today, however, it is incumbent upon me to talk to people and make sure that they understand the process of what I am doing. We need to be clear and supportive.” 

 

In an environment of remote work, Sid argues that it is extremely important for IT to have open dialogue with the other departments. This is imperative to establish an autonomous relationship grounded in trust. 

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Making mistakes is part of strategy and learning

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Technology introduces innovations in all areas of life, whether taking a trip, improving ones health, or merely facilitating actions throughout the day. This fact became much more evident during the pandemic crisis, as we all relied more heavily on our technology to work, connect, and survive. But as technology brings facilities, it also calls for the challenge of improvements in human communication. 

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It is important that professionals are encouraged to overcome their own internal challenges. A common struggle, and one that can often be attributed to previous experience, is the fear of making mistakes. 

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Sid shares, “I was very afraid of making mistakes and, therefore, stopped doing something that could have been very cool. Many times I would refrain from giving my opinion because I had been conditioned to believe that IT only provides answers and has no voice. At Elephant Skin, they gave me a voice and told me to speak up when I have an idea and feel free to make mistakes in trying to get it right.”

What do you think about IT in the context of organizations with the mission too expand? Are you an IT professional adjusting to your new reality in remote work? Share with us!

 

Communications Manager - Roberta Lemos
Author – Jornalist Daiana Barasa and Juliana Rodrigues | Naiá
Interviewed – Sidnei Cleiton de Oliveira, IT Manager e Evanildo Cambras, IT Support

*All Rights Reserved to Elephant Skin Group Corp.

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