The Importance Of Mastering Foundational Skills and Using Technology To Further Your Passion with Jeff Ton
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Jeff Ton
Jeff Ton, a sought-after speaker, author and thought leader, having led powerful teams and built successful Information Technology departments for over 30 years. His mission is to change the face of IT. And he says that, “Businesses today are demanding more from their technology and their technology leaders.” As well as being the author of Amplify Your Value (2018) and Amplify Your Job Search (2020), he serves on numerous boards and advisory councils including Forbes Technology Council, Indy CIO Network, and Connected World Magazine Board of Advisors.
Jeff joins the show to discuss the importance of mastering the basic skills that are sometimes forgotten in favour of technical prowess. Jeff also highlights the belief that your passion can benefit your career path if you look for the opportunities to blend the two pursuits.
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Resources
JeffreySTon.com – Check out Jeff’s website!
Amplify Your Job Search – Check out Jeff’s latest book!
Amplify Your Job Search guides the reader through the job search process through a series of “Amplifiers” (Personal Brand Amplifier, Network Amplifier, Resume Amplifier, for example). Those amplifiers combined with guided personal journaling enable the reader to identify the characteristics of their dream job, how to build a powerful network, how to use that network to get warm introductions into their dream organization, and, how to prepare for and rock the interview.
Searching for your next job can be difficult for even the most accomplished professional. When it comes to finding your dream job, old strategies, and tactics no longer work. Whether you’re currently in transition and seeking employment or you are currently working and have decided it is time for a new challenge, this book delves into the strategies of success for landing your most sought-after role.
2 Top Career Tips
1) If you really want to advance your IT career, you must look at soft skills as essential skills, mastering the art of the foundational skills such as communication, business acumen and collaboration. Technical skills are important, but they are not everything.
2) People often say that you can’t turn a hobby into a living, but Jeff disagrees. Look for any opportunity to turn you love for technology into a viable career. Use technology to further your passion.
Show Notes
Worst Career Moment
As a new CIO, Jeff was called upon to “burn some political capital” and tell his new executive board that a product was nowhere near ready, and that more time was needed in order to fulfil the promises made by his predecessor. This highlighted the importance of investigation and assessment when it comes to setting deadlines.
Career Highlight
Upon recognizing that data does not always provide a clear narrative for executives, Jeff spent time re-formatting information into the form of a strategic story. This was a huge success, and led to a complete rethinking of how to communicate IT messaging ever since.
The Future
This is the most exciting period that IT has ever been through. It is a time of incredible innovation, being more in the forefront of business than ever before. More technologies, once merely a pipe dream, are making their way to market. The pace of change is accelerating. To be in the vanguard of innovation is truly exciting.
The Reveal
What first attracted you to a career in I.T.?
The affordable Commodore 64 home PC allowed Jeff to see the potential in technology, and drew him into the IT world.
What is the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Every conversation you have is an interview. Each communication results in an impression left upon the person you talk to.
What is the worst career advice you’ve ever received?
Stay quiet, keep your head down and do your job. It might work in the short term, but it does not serve to move you forward.
If you had to begin your career again in today’s world, what would you do?
Jeff is fascinated by the convergence of 5G speeds with IOT (Internet Of Things) and so would focus there.
What career objectives are you currently focusing on?
Jeff wants to help emerging IT leaders to grow in their career. Aiding the next generation of IT professionals in their quest to develop is the most important thing.
What’s the number one non-technical skill that has helped you in your career so far?
Public speaking has proved essential in terms of allowing Jeff to be recognized as a leader in his field, and to benefit his communicative abilities.
What do you do to keep your own career energized?
Observing the IT landscape and recognizing the progress of others gives Jeff’s own career an energy boost.
What do you do in your spare time away from technology?
Spending time with family, and walking in nature and finding peace there helps to remind Jeff of life outside of IT.
Contact The Guest
Contact Jeff Ton through the following social media platforms:
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/JTonIndy
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffton/
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