I am in a new role where I report directly to the owners of the company.

Anonymous

October 13,2023 at 5:41PM UTC

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I am in a new role where I report directly to the owners of the company. I am trying to get myself set up for success in this role, the hold back is our IT department. Both owners have said to set me up how I need to be set up and the COO has also said, let me know what you need, we will get it for you. The problem is our IT department, they won't respond to any requests the first time I ask, it literally takes me 3 emails plus at least one phone call to just be told no. I am frustrated and when I say something to my bosses they just say tell them I said you need this. That doesn't work, they just kind of do what they want. I understand the policy, but when the owners request that I have access to the information what do you do? I don't have tech savvy bosses.

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Renee S.October 13,2023 at 5:48PM UTC
Have a meeting with the IT team. Identify the root cause of delays. Give the feedback to the manager or CEO
Renee S.October 13,2023 at 5:49PM UTC
Also cc your boss on the IT emails to document the convoys. You don't want a point a finger approach you want to figure out how to make the team better.
AnonymousOctober 13,2023 at 6:08PM UTC
Neither one of my bosses use a computer or email, if you can believe that! They are very old school and prefer to stay that way.
AnonymousOctober 13,2023 at 6:27PM UTC
Wow! That definitely puts you in a unique position! Usually CCing C Suite elicits a response, but in your situation I would echo what Renee said in having a meeting with the IT department. I wouldn't put it as a blame game, but put it like you are just trying to understand the process, but want to make boss X happy. What do they need to get A, B, and C done? A lot of IT departments want to cover their own butts, and they cannot give out extra permissions. Perhaps a signed document is all they need.
Amy CollinsOctober 14,2023 at 12:29PM UTC
Schedule a call with IT and the owners with a subject line: IT resource request. It's possible that once IT learns there is a mutual meeting, they will contact you to take care of things. Good luck!
AnonymousOctober 13,2023 at 6:18PM UTC
Can you cc- your bosses on the request? I'm in a similar boat and if I don't get a response, I just add the C-suite person directly and it gets done, tbh.
AnonymousOctober 13,2023 at 7:51PM UTC
You address the email to the head of IT, copy both owners and let them know that after several requests you are still without the required and approved items you have requested. Offer "if it would be easier, you can go direct to a 3rd party provider to provide these items, links, account logins" etc.
You do not allow IT to impact your effectiveness. You simply find a way to warn them that you will go around them.
AnonymousOctober 13,2023 at 7:57PM UTC
Yes IT hates not being in control so if you ask if there is an outside IT vendor that you could contact to ensure you get what you need.....they will have a quiet melt down and respond pretty fast.
BethBOctober 15,2023 at 1:32PM UTC
Great advice. Sometimes people are on power trips, sometimes they resent people who are knowledgeable, and sometimes they may have different marching orders than you do. For instance, I needed access to Google analytics for a consultant. The owner of the company approved the request. The tech guy hemmed and hawed because his concern was protecting our info. Sending an email that refers to the approval and copied the person who gave approval is a great solution.
AnonymousOctober 14,2023 at 2:59PM UTC
I'm in IT and my manager will not accept escalation. I tell them there is urgency and I get "not my problem, urgency on their part." Others start going up their food chain until they get action, then said manager gets annoyed and it's directed at me. Why such a power trip?
AnonymousOctober 15,2023 at 1:40PM UTC
If you need particular access your manager(s) should be requesting this for you, not making you request it for yourself.
Anne MOctober 15,2023 at 2:04PM UTC
First find out if there is a reason why IT is saying no. Is it external software that doesn’t meet the companies security vetting process? Or is it internal access to things? If it’s approved software or internal where others at the company have access - it’s likely a security clearance issue which can only be solved by your boss putting in the formal request not you.
if it’s software not approved through the company’s CISO - then until the software itself is properly vetted nobody will get access as they are trying to ensure the company is safe from cyber attacks.
DawnOctober 16,2023 at 11:00PM UTC
I can suggest if there is a ticketing system put in a ticket outlining what you need. This way it is documented that you have requested it.
I am in IT and too many times requests get lost if it’s just emails and especially calls. Same as a lot of other departments, everyone is working with a lean staff and are pushed and pulled in a million directions.
Congratulations and Good Luck in your new position !