In Episode 5, Mike and Nate, along with special guest Kevin Dushney, discuss Chapter 6 of the IT Survival Guide, which is focused on initiating the process of building out your IT Organization within the business, including hiring your first key role.  This is an essential step in your IT leadership journey as the first hire is not only the most key role you will hire but also substantially reflects your capabilities as the IT Leader for the company.

There is a hefty dose of the usual banter, with some discussion of AI and SLMs and a review of the 2023 technology year.

Post-chapter 6 analysis/reflection questions:

1. How would you select the right partner to help build the IT department from the ground up? What criteria would you use?
2. What are some strategies for ensuring equality and an open dialogue between the IT Leader and their partner in the early stages?
3. How can the IT Leader best leverage their partner's skills and contributions to gain support from the wider business?
4. How can an IT department encourage a culture of continuous learning among staff from the beginning?
5. What innovative perks could an IT Leader consider to attract the best talent within a startup's budget constraints?
6. How would you balance hands-on, tactical work with higher-level strategic planning in your first year as an IT leader?
7. What vetting processes would you implement to minimize risks when hiring for important leadership roles?
8. How can an IT Leader ensure they continue to learn and develop technical skills even as the department grows?
9. What policies or best practices would help an early-stage IT department adapt effectively to long-term remote or hybrid work models?
10. If you were the IT Leader, what would be your top priorities for the first three months after hiring your initial partner?
11. How do you assess the gaps in your expertise and knowledge when deciding on the type of role to hire as your first IT partner in a new company?
12. Considering the business needs and IT requirements outlined, how do you prioritize which role to fill first when budget constraints limit the number of hires you can make?
13. Discuss the balance between hiring for technical skills versus cultural fit. How do you ensure your first IT hire aligns with the company's technical needs and culture?
14. Discuss the challenges of building an IT team in a Life Sciences startup, where rapid pivots and changes are common. How do you ensure flexibility in your organizational modeling to adapt to these changes?
15. How can an IT Leader effectively communicate the value and contributions of their partner to the wider business?

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