Many CEOs feel confused by the translation they receive from their technology staff regarding the benefits of technology. One CEO told me it's like having someone translate French to English, however, every third word is still in French. Just for a moment, imagine how lonely that conversation would make you feel.
Your CIO sits at the intersection of business and technology. He must be able to translate business strategy into technology and the benefits of technology into business language that senior management understands.
The phrase “Never the twain shall meet” could refer to the business and technology skills required to be a master strategist. Well, not quite never.
In Ideas into Words, author Elise Hancock provides glistening gems of insight that allow two worlds to connect. Although this book was written for science writers, computer science professionals can also benefit. Elise defines science writing as translating science ideas into some appropriate lay version. What makes a good job description for science writers? Making science tangible, real, and apparent.
She provides an array of techniques for making science tangible and apparent. Watch this!
If a technical term will come up one time only, silently translate into something your key reader can get, like "an icy belt at the outskirts of the solar system where astronomers believe most comets form."After listening to an hour of technobabble, a CEO may feel that his technical staff is from outer space. By contrast, after being entertained by your clear-eyed presentation that uses business sense and swift similes to transform abstract technical concepts into compelling, vivid images -- your CEO may believe you are a Kansas comet, sent down from that outer, icy belt to light the night as you streak across the sky.
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