IT Management Slideshow: The Geek's Guide to Navigating the Business World

Chances are, your love of all things tech is what set you on your current career path. Likewise, you hire staff primarily for their technology skills. But, too often, IT people at all levels find themselves "lost in the weeds" of systems and applications, losing site of business objectives. In fact, more than 90 percent of large IT projects fall short on schedule, cost and quality goals, according to industry research. The book Going Corporate: A Geek's Guide (Apress/Available now), demonstrates how CIOs and other tech-department leaders can foster a sense of corporate focus among IT teams. Author Shailendra Kadre contends that CIOs must ensure their team members understand and appreciate the total business environment that they're hired to support. In the end, these employees will reap career benefits. "By becoming aware of what's important to your superiors, and what's current in the industry, you will do your job better," Kadre says. "And it will prepare you for bigger, more lucrative jobs that can amplify the positive impact you have in the companies you work for." Kadre is a prolific writer/author on tech topics, as well as a 17-year leadership veteran within the IT industry, having worked for companies such as Oracle Financial Services Software. Here are selected highlights: