Maximizing Campus Impact

Strategy #7: Use Your Power

One sign of an impactful center is that it is involved with activities on campus, especially those that call for problem-solving. When any technical challenge arises at your institution, your center should be one of the first places people turn for advice and assistance. The perspectives, insights, and expertise of your staff should be valued and sought. Whatever the project or event, if it involves technology, people should be afraid to leave your center out, because of what you bring to the table. When there is a problem, use your power to be part of the solution.

Establishing a reputation of being part of the solution builds on other strategies previously discussed. Because your center has formed allies, you have the ability to reach out to other units on campus and bring them in. Because your center is productive in effective ways, the community is aware of what you have to offer and thinks of your organization when something comes up. Because you are known to be adaptable, people have confidence that you can meet any challenge creatively. And because you make your boss look good, he or she naturally wants you to be part of anything big that goes on.

Cultivating the skills of collaboration, cooperation, and creative thinking in your staff will move your center forward. In addition to possessing technical competence, being good team players will secure your people a seat at the table.

How to Get There: Suggestions from Directors

Be a credible, positive force for solutions and good decisions. Do your homework; a little research, prepared in a way that is easy to read and presented to the major decision makers, will help establish your center as a source of valuable, unbiased information. Make recommendations based on research. To build credibility, spend a little extra time to make your printed materials attractive and usable – not necessarily four-color glossy pieces, but clean and well-formatted.

• Provide problem-solving, not just implementation. Look for opportunities to apply the expertise of your staff to meet challenges on campus. When you approach a project, consider the larger picture and see if there is a strategic solution rather than a stop-gap one. Be known for your ability to solve problems, not just your ability to install software or create multimedia presentations.
• Work with faculty so they become your advocates. Training, support, and relationship- building will turn clients into loyal supporters. Nurture your relationships with your allies and they will recommend you when things come up. Be available when faculty need you.
• Volunteer. Pay attention to what's going on around campus and speak up when there is something your center can help with. Let people know that you think you might add. When you sign up to do something, deliver – and deliver bigger and better than you promised. Be part of the planning as well as the implementation.
• Build a track record. Become known for being a team player, and for helping people to create high-quality solutions, and your campus leadership will think of you right at the start. As you market your center, highlight those areas where you were part of designing a larger solution.