How To Improve Tech Conversations with Your Board of Trustees?

Board of trustees of any organization should have in-depth knowledge about technologies to bring a revolution in the education sector.

FREMONT, CA: All the universities have a board of trustees, but most of them are not well informed, and they lack in-depth knowledge regarding modern technologies. In past years, choosing members from technology fields hasn’t been a priority in the education sector; they were selected from among older candidates. Now new technologies are emerging day by day, so it has become the duty of IT leaders to inform the board members on time.

Here are some ways IT leaders can elevate conversations with board members and trustees about technology on the campus:

1. Involve Technology in the Routine of Board Meetings

Technology should be made part of the conversation always. Make it a routine agenda item and on its own and in the context of other topics, sends a message that technology is integral to institutional success. This practice will also educate the trustees and other leaders about the critical aspects and priorities of IT. The importance of data security should be top of mind for trustees all the time. IT department can help trustees do their jobs better, by keeping technology at the forefront. If the trustees will be informed about important issues on time, they will perform in a better way.

Some of the IT leaders talk in the abstract about the need for technology but the right way is to discuss technology in concrete terms. They should also mention how it relates to the organization’s operations. IT department plays a significant role in helping trustees understand technology properly.

2. Make a List of Campus Stakeholders to Present a Real Image of Objectives

All IT leaders should have regular conversations with academic and department heads. They should discuss their goals and how they are going to use technologies to achieve the goals. Before selecting any tool, do proper research and find out if it serves your purpose or not or which one provides the best value to the organization. IT leaders can make a more durable case to the board if they get detailed and timely information from the stakeholders.

3. Create IT Initiatives in Terms of Broad Institutional Strategy

The trustees of an institution play a significant role, and they strive to see the university as a whole. Generally, that begins with an educational component: assess trustees’ knowledge and familiarity with IT infrastructure and initiatives and, then provide the information as per their need to understand the context entirely. 

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