08.16.08
Don’t Become the Duct Tape!
Having been in many different IT shops, I can categorically say that I have met individuals in every organization that have become duct tape. They are living, breathing, duct tape solutions.
These individuals were at one time innovators. They could clearly see that a change in a process could reduce effort and bring more projects within their deadlines. They never expected to become the process.
At a retail organization I met a guy that had figured out how to utilize the central printing facility to prepare tags for the products in the stores. He was a really good engineer. But, unfortunately, he was needed when any tag change affected the size of the tag or the paper on which the tags were printed. This is all he did, but he was paid well and occupied a nice office with a window. No one else could do what he did.
The guy had become the duct tape. He was stuck to the organization and could not be removed. Oh, there were ways to potentially automate the process and eliminate his job, but who wanted to do that? He was a nice guy with a family and did quality work.
There are individuals like this all through IT. Sometimes they are called SMEs or chief engineers, but they are duct tape. These people generally cannot move within the organization or to another organization and maintain their same level of income. They simply do not bring the same value to another organization.
So, be innovative, but do not become the duct tape. At first it may be fun to be needed, but as time goes by an innovator will get bored. Worst of all, you are not growing in your profession and if caught in downsizing or other corporate changes you will be the one to pay.
