“Staying ahead of the curve” is an important skill set for any technologist. Knowing what is going on both internally to your company and externally, builds your knowledge capability from following strategy to identifying trends and innovation provides you with an edge to being technologist.

Information and technology is evolving at a rapid rate, so how can you stay ahead of the curve? This is something that needs a multifaceted approach dedication is a hard task to know everything so you have to build your own information strategy and filter what is important and what is just noise or not relevant.

Below are some essential strategies to help you to stay ahead of the curve.

Embrace a Growth Mindset

Learning increases your understand and get to grips with technology and business skills. These should be balanced with soft skills to help make you a more rounded technologist. Coined by psychologist Carol S. Dweck, a Growth Mindset is the belief that one’s abilities and intelligence can be developed through dedication, hard work, and resilience. This mindset is in stark contrast to a fixed mindset, which assumes that intelligence and talent are innate and unchangeable.

• Embrace a Growth Mindset
• Leveraging Online Courses and MOOCs
• View Effort as a Path to Mastery
• Participating in Webinars and Tech Conferences
• Embrace Challenges as Opportunities
• Create an IDP (Individual Development Plan)
• Record your CPD (Continuous Professional Development)

Networking

Networking encompasses the art of building meaningful relationships, fostering connections, and creating a collaborative community. Just as computer networks enable the flow of information, networking with people propels the exchange of ideas, opportunities, and support.

• Building a Professional Network: A strong professional network can open doors to opportunities, provide valuable insights, and support your career journey. Focus on Quality Connections to build out your network and prioritise meaningful relationships over a large number of contacts. Its not about numbers but how you connect with your network.
• Joining Tech Communities and Forums: Participate and join industry-specific organisations, alumni groups, and online communities which will help grow your knowledge, skills and connections. Joining professional organisations such as the BCS can provide access to a wide areas of knowledge and professionals.
• Attending Meetups and Networking Events: There are lots of meetups and events that can come from joining communities. Events both physical and virtual are a good platform to meeting others with similar technological mindsets. This is also a method to build your professional network.
• Knowledge Exchange: Networking is a two-way street where professionals share insights, experiences, and knowledge. Engaging with peers, both online and offline, allows technologists to tap into a vast pool of expertise. Whether it’s troubleshooting code, discussing the latest frameworks, or sharing project experiences, networking facilitates meaningful knowledge exchange.
• Early Access to Information: Being part of a network often means gaining early access to information. Whether it’s insider tips on upcoming technologies, insights into industry shifts, or exclusive event invitations, networking provides a conduit for staying ahead of the curve. Platforms like LinkedIn and Twitter can be powerful channels for real-time updates.
• Mentorship Opportunities: Establishing connections with experienced professionals opens the door to mentorship opportunities. A mentor can provide guidance, share industry wisdom, and help navigate the complexities of career growth. Mentorship relationships foster continuous learning and personal development.

Tech News and Trends

Keeping updated on the latest trends and developments in both the technology and business sectors is a key activity for any technologist. This includes understanding how emerging technologies may impact various industries and be aware of the business challenges and opportunities associated with these changes.

• Newsfeed: Create a personalised newsfeed using diversified sources to provide up to date news and trends on the topics that are of interest to your area of technology. Consider expanding to other areas to learn new things. Looking at different industries and technology areas can often bring fresh and new perspectives on things, whilst also providing possible innovation ideas.
• Newsletters: Subscribe to newsletters from reputable tech publications. They often curate relevant articles and deliver them directly to your inbox.
• Podcasts: Listening to a diverse set of podcasts can provide insights and opinions into business, technology and news.
• Blogs: Follow technology blogs that cover industry trends, product launches, and expert insights. Regularly reading blog posts can keep you informed.

Understanding the Business Side of Technology

As a technologist, it’s imperative to move beyond the confines of it, coding and technical expertise to comprehend the broader business implications work and projects. Understanding the business side of technology is a transformative skill set that not only enhances individual career prospects but also positions the technologist as a professional integral to organisational success.

• Stay Informed About Industry Trends: Keep yourself updated on the latest trends and developments in both the technology and business sectors. Understand how emerging technologies may impact various industries and be aware of the business challenges and opportunities associated with these changes.
• Read Business Literature: Reading business-oriented literature helps to expand your thinking and mindset beyond a technical view. Sources such as industry reports, business magazines, and books can provide insights into the strategic aspects of technology in business.
• Engage in Cross-Functional Collaboration: Actively seek opportunities to collaborate with professionals and key stakeholders from different departments within your organisation. Engaging with colleagues from different departments can provide valuable perspectives on how technology aligns with and supports various business outcomes and functions.
• Attend Business Conferences and Seminars: Participate in conferences and seminars that focus on the intersection of technology and business. These events often feature industry leaders sharing insights into how they leverage technology to achieve business objectives.
• Build Relationships with Business Stakeholders: Identify and develop relationships with key stakeholders in your organisation. Regular conversations with these individuals can provide valuable insights into the business goals and challenges that technology can address.
• Understand Financial Implications: Learn the basics of financial principles and how they relate to technology projects. This will help you to understand and how to assess the costs and benefits of technology initiatives, and how to communicate these aspects to non-technical stakeholders.
• Map Technology Solutions to Business Objectives: Always keep the broader business objectives in mind when working on technology projects. Understand how the project / your work contributes to the organisation’s outcomes and business goals will allow you to articulate the business value of solutions.

How do you stay ahead of the curve?