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Ulf Hallmann

by Bianca Bogad-Frey
CIO News Ulf Hallmann

CIO
Landbell Gruppe

Senior manager with track record in inventing, building, selling and delivering complex global Circular Economy solutions.

It’s rather the “i”, than the “I” – What do I mean by this?

Obviously, teams that used to be called the “IT department” can no longer be staffed solely with technicians. Diversified teams are the true basis for successful digital strategies. Of course, technology matters in the end. Nevertheless, people, processes, operational expertise as well as motivation and passion are decisive success factors.

In many “IT departments”, key positions are now occupied by personnel who would never have dreamed of being a member of “IT” one day. How can you strengthen the bond between such heterogeneous teams? How to create an identification of non-technical personnel with their own technical department? How to bridge the gap to surrounding departments?

I address this dilemma by no longer referring to my teams as the “IT department.” If you consider that we are certainly dealing with information (technology), we also deal with innovation, inspiration, intelligence and many other “i’s” on a daily basis. All of this is not only crucial for the production and operation of good software. It is an important basis for the success of many next-generation business models. With that in mind, I’ve come to refer to my teams as “iTeam”.

We think in an international context. Therefore there are many “little i’s” that are important to me personally and are decisive in the overall context. The “capital I” in English usually refers to a single person. While great teams are made up of great individuals, they perform best when all individuals put the team first rather than themselves. Rowers like to ask: “What makes the boat faster?” – The team result is often better when individuals take a step back.

That’s why I say “iTeam” instead of something like “I-Team”: Team spirit and focus on the “i’s” make the difference. It’s rather the “i”, than the “I”.

Because team spirit, and common focus on the “i’s” matter the most.

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