How do we develop your IT management skills ?
STEP 1 - Quantify what it takes to be a successful IT manager
STEP 2 - Describe key barriers for technology people in achieving success
STEP 3 - Identify what senior management and clients want from IT
STEP 4 - Provide a practical IT management process to use (see graphic below)
STEP 5 - Give you practical insight on how to go about the work of IT Manager
STEP 6 - Give you management tools you can start using immediately
STEP 7 - Provide ongoing support
STEP 8 - Verify your knowledge with the IT Business Manager Certification

IT Manager Institute
Hello, I'm Mike Sisco and I want to thank you for your visit. I have managed technology resources successfully for over twenty years and packaged my knowledge and experience into a powerful management training program, the IT Manager Institute.

The Institute is a unique training approach to help IT managers achieve more™ success and by far the most comprehensive IT Manager development program of its kind. The program is the fastest way to boost your IT management skills and career.

For some, we will change your perspective. For others, we will validate many of your thoughts and ideas. For everyone, we will provide a logical process to use and give you dozens of tools that will help boost your productivity and management effectiveness.  Let's take a closer look at how the week is organized.

STEP 1 - Quantify what it takes to be a successful IT manager
On the first day, we start building a foundation for success. One of the first things we need to do is to quantify what it takes to succeed in an IT manager role. To do this, we step through my 11 Key Traits of Successful IT Managers. I've seen hundreds of IT managers and some are excellent; many are not so good. The successful managers I've worked with all have these eleven traits.

How do you establish credibility? It's pretty simple but most IT managers don't understand it. I'll not only tell you what it is; I'll show you specifically how to go about getting the credibility you must have to be successful.

STEP 2 - Describe key barriers for technology people in achieving success
Are you aware that most of us in IT are very much alike? The fact is, technology attracts a certain type of person. In the class I will not only share with you how we are alike, I'll walk you through key challenges that prevent IT managers from achieving success.

Why is it over 50% of all IT organizations are disconnected with their business and why do over 70% of all IT projects fail year after year? This session will help you understand why these things occur and will position you for success more than ever.


STEP 3 - Identify what senior management and clients want
Guess what, senior managers do not want an expensive IT organization. Most do not understand the fact that IT is the "enabler" in the company when you are in need of cost savings, improved productivity, competitive advantage, etc. Learn where the power issues lie in this class and empower yourself and your company for greater achievement.

We raise your perspective from a technology manager to that of a business owner. Learn what senior management thinks about the IT department and what they need from technology support and you will be better prepared to help your company and this will benefit your career.

STEP 4 - Provide a practical IT management process to use
Business alignment is critical to your success and over 50% of the IT organizations are out of sync with their company. Follow my process and you will never worry about being aligned with company needs any longer.

The process is a vital part to be successful but you must also know how to go about things like building a strategy, prioritizing issues, dealing with problem employees and tough client situations, etc. This program is jam packed with insight from my more than 20 years of experience in managing technology organizations.

Learning from someone who has experienced the difficulties of managing technology resources can save you time and minimize frustration. Having a mentor who has walked down the path you are about to follow can be invaluable in promoting your career and success.

STEP 5 - Give you practical insight on how to go about the work of IT manager
My class has no theory in it. Everything is based upon having done the work and being successful in an IT manager and CIO role for more than 20 years. The IT Manager Institute program teaches what you need to do to be successful and how to go about it. We also discuss why we need to do certain things as well as how to do them. This is truly the most comprehensive IT management class that focuses on operational management issues.

STEP 6 - Give you management tools you can start using immediately
Having the right tools to do any job makes it much, much easier. In the class, we discuss all the aspects of the IT Management process and give you the tools I developed for my own use so you can implement each concept quickly and easily. In fact, we talk through over 30 of the 80-plus tools in my IT Manager ToolKit. You receive a CD with all of my ebooks and ToolKit.

STEP 7 - Provide ongoing support
Ongoing support is provided in two ways:
     A.  You will receive my entire library of IT management ebooks and tools for reference.
     B.  Free access to me is provided after the class when you need a mentor or advisor.

Step 8 -  IT Business Manager Certification
Our certification is given to those who complete the IT Manager Institute and pass the 5-part ITBMC exam. The IT Business Manager Certification is endorsed by Belmont University's MBA program and is rapidly becoming one of the top certifications for IT managers in the industry. It is the first IT management certification that focuses on the business aspects of managing technology resources as opposed to the technology aspect.

IT managers who have been awarded the ITBMC title are people who have made a commitment in improving their management skills and have exhibited the knowledge of how to manage an effective IT operation.

Achieve more

How is this program different?
-  Prerequisite material creates a fast start and key insight into each participant's
         needs before class begins.
-  Practical training on managing technology resources effectively, from   
         assessing technology situations to building practical yet effective strategic
         plans, motivating employees, budgeting, developing change management
         processes, and more.
-  Approaches the class content as a new CIO would approach a new company
         and teaches you the same process that you will be able to use quickly.
-  Develop a 30-day action plan to use upon returning to your company.
-  90-day free mentoring support provided after the class to ensure each
        participant has the support he or she may need to achieve positive results.
-  Membership in the IT Manager Round Table
-  Receive Mike Sisco's IT Manager Institute CD valued at over $800.00
-  50% discount on future purchase of MDE's IT manager products and services


Class objectives:
Each participant will gain practical knowledge of what to do to be a successful IT Manager, insight on how to go about it, and will receive many examples and tools that will help you implement the concepts quickly and easily. Tips and techniques of the trade are shared to help participants learn the productive ways of getting things done and keys that empower you to achieve more.


At the end of the class, each participant will be able to:
-  Assess virtually any technology situation
-  Develop a strategic plan that is aligned with company needs
-  Prioritize IT initiatives to take best advantage of opportunity and to reduce risk
-  Identify cost saving opportunities that will save thousands of dollars
-  Build an effective, yet appropriate IT organization to meet company needs
-  Develop a cost effective staff training plan to improves the team and staff
-  Develop effective performance plans and employee performance reviews
-  Develop targeted career plans for staff members
-  Develop an achievable operational and capital IT budget
-  Implement change management procedures that improve client service
-  Develop practical policies and procedures quickly and easily
-  Implement a simple system to manage important technology assets
-  Identify how to measure the trends of your IT business for improvement
-  Gain credibility by using effective project management methods
-  Motivate and empower individuals in your IT organization
-  Improve client service and enhance client relationships   
-  Develop specific measurements that help you improve
-  Much, much more

Need help in justifying payment for the program?
Because of the focus on cost savings, a key session of the Institute is focused on my "Top 50 Technology Cost Saving Strategies". I have always found "low hanging fruit" cost savings in every IT assessment I've conducted. This session is dedicated to showing you where they are, how to find it and how to go after the savings. One small find in this area will pay for the program many times and will catapult your management status. You should pay for your investment easily within a few months plus with the free mentoring support, I'll even help you look for the opportunity when you return to your company for 90 days. I'm confident we will pay for your program fee in the cost savings opportunities you find after returning to your company. 


The bottom line is that the entire program has been created to help ensure every participant has a rewarding experience in attending the Institute and that each person actually achieves more success upon completing the program.   Learn more

I hope to meet you at one of our programs.
                Mike Sisco