Workers Revolt Against IT Department - Beware of Pitchforks & Torches

From recent news, you'd think that workers have finally rebelled against their evil IT overseers. From the media coverage, it sounds like the peasants are sharpening pitchforks and chasing after Frankenstein's monster. What has everyone so up in arms? What's causing the ruckus? It's all because smart workers are using self-service tech tools to do their jobs better.

A recent Forrester survey found that 37% of knowledge workers are using technology without the permission of their IT masters. (Dreaded horror! Say it ain't so!) Personally, I'm amazed the percentage is so low. It's likely many people lied on the survey because they feared reprisals. (Those geeks know everything that happens on a computer, you know.)

And what are these evil, non-approved, unsanctioned technology tools? What nefarious horrors have these maniac, irresponsible workers unleashed? Technologies like Google Docs, LinkedIn, YouTube, Facebook and Dropbox. (Gasp! The horror, the horror.)

Now, I understand all the arguments against this growing trend. I understand all the TechnoGeek fears and dangers. I understand it all, but I am here to tell you all to GET OVER IT.

The power of self-service technology isn't going away. It isn't going to decrease either. More and more power will be at the fingertips of savvy computer users. It's up to you -- the IT worker -- to accept that and figure out ways to use it. If you don't, you will be out of a job very, very soon.

And to the 37% of you who are empowering yourselves and finding new, more efficient ways to get your jobs done -- congrats! That is true innovation - keep it up. And tell your boss I say you deserve a raise.


R-Squared Computing | Lou RG | Nearly Free IT | Firm Wisdom

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