New Year’s Resolutions for Tech Managers | Business of AV
Joe Way, PhD, CTS
I’m not usually a “New Year’s Resolutions” type of person, but I am a “what do I want to accomplish this year” type of person. I don’t consider them “goals,” but rather, challenges. Challenges to myself. As we emerge from the pandemic, there have been a ton of “lessons learned”–both technical and non-technical–that we probably haven’t had a chance to incorporate into our learning spaces as of yet. So, here are a few potential New Year’s resolutions we may want to consider adopting in 2023 for our institutions, as tech managers, and for personal growth:
New Year’s Resolutions For Our Institutions:
Increase accessibility: If the pandemic did anything, it exposed how many of our students relied upon the services we provide. Now that we are aware, we have a duty to provide an equal and equitable teaching and learning experience for everyone. We must provide accessible course materials (Get QM certified!), offer accommodations such as assistive listening technology and transcription, and make our physical spaces more accessible as a whole, and not just in a few random pre-designated locations or because “ADA says so.”
Promote diversity and inclusion: Yes, every school has some version of an “Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion,” but that’s not enough. As classroom technology professionals who oversee the physical learning spaces, we also have a role to play. In fact, we control a lifeline to the AV industry through our student workers and others we interact with daily. Let’s leverage our departments by recruiting and retaining a diverse team (of both full-time staff and student workers) and creating a welcoming and inclusive culture. It needs to be our identity.
Enhance the student experience: Let’s not forget that “going to class” is more than the education being provided. It is an experience. And, experiences are tangible. They are, well, “experiential.” How many of your spaces have miscellaneous cables hanging down, inches of dust collecting, and tarnished paint on the lecterns. We also contribute to the “feel” of the institution. What standards of excellence in presentation do you hold for even your oldest spaces. If those spaces were a restaurant, would you pay to eat there? If you wouldn’t, neither should your students.
Expand your hybrid learning capabilities: Hybrid isn’t going anywhere. Sure, it’ll be less than it was, and we’re not staying 100% online. But, some good things did come out of the pandemic experience. We learned that recording and streaming is a good thing. The ability to review and rewatch lessons was a blessing to students. That should never go away. Many schools only upgraded the bare minimum spaces to get by–and maybe not with the highest quality equipment. It’s now time to invest for good. Cameras, ceiling mics, and recording capabilities must now be non-negotiables in every space, regardless of size. Every student and faculty member deserves the same benefits.
Foster innovation: Push the limits. Now is the time. We learned over the last three years that “status-quo” was never enough. Likewise, with the current supply chain issues, why just rely on receiving boxes that stack in lecterns that you may not even get for another 12 months? Maybe now is the time to truly try–and trust–server-based control, managed support services, and integrated cloud services. Maybe there’s a faculty member who’s been wanting that esports or VR classroom? Maybe there’s a student demographic who needs a media production studio? Now is the time to extend our reach beyond the standard four-walled classroom.
New Year’s Resolutions For Technologists:
Learn a new technology or programming language: The world changed. Technology changed. Our skills and knowledge must follow suit. Try learning a new technology that offers a new service to our students, or programming language that allows you to integrate multiple platforms together (i.e, C# or Python control?). Or, what about just finally earning that CTS? This will involve taking courses, reading, attending a workshop, or simply setting aside time outside the normal workday, but it will pay dividends.
Get involved (and contribute) to the Higher Ed AV community: Life is hard. It’s even harder when isolated. Find a way to connect. Whether it’s by joining the HETMA online community, attending local AVIXA council events, finally getting to a tradeshow or conference, or volunteering with one of our many AV organizations, we are a community, not just a vertical. And, we’re a collaborative community. You have as much to offer others as they can offer you. Don’t do AV alone. We need one another to thrive and survive.
Improve cybersecurity skills: Yes, I said it: #AVisIT. The last thing any of us want is for our classrooms to be the gateway to a campus security breach. Take the time to learn about best practices for protecting data and systems, keeping your equipment up to date on the latest firmware, and understanding where your people and devices could be a vulnerability to your institution. Find out if your OCISO has trainings or best practices… and then do them. Have conversations with your team to see where their “time-saving” and “corner-cutting” may actually be a security risk to the organization.
Stay current with emerging technologies: I have heard many times over that some of our tech managers don’t take the effort or time to learn what’s coming down the road because they say their institutions never want to pay for major upgrades and/or want to test new things. So you get the same thing, same results, same troubles. But at least it’s the devil you know rather than the devil you don’t, right? Remember, in academia, we are institutions of research. Just like the faculty, we have a duty to push the limits in order for our students and faculty to accomplish their best results. Take the time to stay current with emerging technologies by reading industry blogs and publications, attending talks and workshops, and following industry leaders and experts on social media. See where things are going and take the initiative to learn about the ones that are gaining steam… because some day… you will have to support it.
New Year’s Resolutions For Personal Growth:
Set and work towards work-life balance goals: This one’s for me… your stereotypical workaholic (?♂️??). Consider setting specific, achievable goals for personal growth and development, and create a plan to work towards achieving them. This could involve setting goals related to your career, education, personal relationships, or health and wellness. Only you know which need more attention and which don’t. Maybe you work too much, or maybe you really want to go above-and-beyond at work to get promoted to upper management. Or, maybe your health has deteriorated due to focusing on family issues over the pandemic. Only you know. But, know what you want to accomplish and set monthly milestones.
Practice self-care: This is like the previous resolution, but more than making the goal, you actually have to do something about it. Make a commitment to taking care of yourself, both physically and mentally. This could involve setting aside time for activities such as exercise, hobbies, prayer, or seeking support from friends and family when needed. Again, only you know what you need. Don’t put it off. Life is harder when you carry added stress. The most productive people put themselves first so that when they attack the work day or family responsibilities, they are already fully charged up.
Learn a new skill or hobby: This doesn’t need to be AV related, or it can be. Looking to grow your work role? You’ll need to learn new skills (management skills are different than individual contributor skills). Maybe you just need to get outside and away from the screens? Join in the pickleball craze. Get out on the water, in the mountains, out in the snow. Buy some tools and learn to woodwork. Finally write that book (or Higher Ed AV column). Everything that takes you out of your normal routine increases your well-being and challenges yourself to grow personally. Take a class, join a club or group, or simply set aside time to practice and learn on your own.
Cultivate positive relationships: Resolve to strengthen and maintain positive relationships with friends, family, and colleagues. This could involve setting aside time for regular social activities, being more present and engaged in conversations, or expressing appreciation to those around you. Again, life is hard alone, and even harder when surrounded by tense relationships. Resolve to build bridges, repair broken relationships, and cultivate new ones that bring new experiences, blessings, and peace of mind.
Practice gratitude: Make a commitment to cultivating a positive attitude and mindset by practicing gratitude and mindfulness. Nothing brings peace more than spreading gratitude. I am personally thankful for each and every one of you. I know I don’t say it enough publicly, and I know I could tell my family more too how much they mean to me. We all could. And, I do know that every time that I do it, I feel more fulfilled. Showing gratitude always pays dividends ten-fold. Yet, it’s not always just about expressing gratitude publicly and/or personally (though you should!); it could involve keeping a gratitude journal, setting aside time for meditation or mindfulness exercises, or simply taking a few minutes each day to focus on the present moment.
I hope these give you some ideas how you can make 2023 a prosperous year, professionally and personally, both for yourself, your institution, our AV community, and your family and friends. Happy New Year, HEAV peeps! Love ya all!
