“No one ever got fired for buying IBM.”
If you’ve been in the IT field for more than … like 2 minutes … you’ve likely heard this phrase tossed around the office. It’s usually said when people choose a safe option, like IBM. But when you’re the new CTO or IT professional deciding which hardware to buy for your organization, do you really want the safe option?
Essentially, if you make the “non-risky” decision in comparison to your competitors, you are highly unlikely to under-perform and thus, get fired as a result. Yes, we get it. Your job is on the line, so why in the world would you willingly pursue the corporate version of “screw it” and go with a less well-known or reputable option?
The safe road is overrated
The safe road is overrated. Yeah, you likely won’t get fired for choosing IBM, but will you ever get promoted or make a splash? Do you think Mark Zuckerberg, Larry Page, Jeff Bezos or Elon Musk attained their success from playing it safe? They still risked a lot to make their dreams become a reality, taking their companies farther.
Technology is changing at a faster rate than ever before. Even many financial services companies, traditionally seen as less tolerant of risk, are looking to new technologies. For example, big banks are competing against credit unions and even online banking options like Simple in new ways. That means they need to review, adopt and leverage technology to continue competing. And its not just banks — legal firms are facing more mergers and acquisitions, insurance is looking to comply with Affordable Care Act (ACA) guidelines while getting new customers, and more. And high tech companies are competing harder and faster than ever.
The traditional choice is not enough. No company can afford to stand still.
Jump in feet first
You don’t know everything. You don’t need to know everything. You can see opportunities and things that others can’t — which is likely why you’re helping to decide IT’s big picture. So if you firmly believe or have a strong gut feeling that you need to embark Robert Frost style on the road less traveled, don’t second guess yourself. After all, no one changed the world by coloring inside the lines.
Iterate
The big question to ask is: Is it worth the risk? If the cost for the project in time and resources is low, but the potential benefit is huge, it may be time to strike. Don’t get discouraged along the way either. Factors such as competition and market changes may need you to adapt and iterate even more. Even if you don’t succeed the first time, don’t be afraid to try again. Smaller investments in time and money can have a big pay off. And sometimes, you need to go “all in.”
