The IT Business Partner Playbook - Rolan Somerville

Welcome to episode 10! Catalysing change, demystifying technology and shaping the future of IT Business Partnering.

🎙️ In this episode of The IT Business Partner Playbook Podcast, I had a great conversation with Rolan Somerville, CBRM, from Tucson Electric Power.

Rolan is a former application developer turned Business Relationship Manager (BRM). With experience in business analysis, product management, and now BRM, Rolan shares his insights and the lessons he's learned during his journey

💡 Key Highlights:

1️⃣ From Application Development to BRM: The Power of Relationship Building

Rolan's career path naturally led him to the BRM role, where he discovered the importance of proactive engagement. He shares how organisations that embrace BRM see better innovation and greater project success.

2️⃣ Breaking Down Silos and Encouraging Cross-Functional Collaboration

The BRM function is evolving, integrating with more internal functions, as well as external partners. Rolan highlights how BRMs bridge gaps between IT and business, ensuring strategic alignment and more effective execution.

3️⃣ Managing Digital Transformation and resistance to change

Technology adoption isn’t always easy—Rolan discusses the challenges of introducing digital solutions to hesitant teams. He emphasises the role of IT Business Partners in demystifying technology and positioning it as an enabler for success.

4️⃣ The Role of Empathy in IT Business Partnering

Empathy continues to be hailed as a core skill for BRMs. Rolan explains how understanding different perspectives and adapting communication styles help build trust and influence decision-making across the organisation.

5️⃣ The Future of IT Business Partnering: Adapting, Evolving and Institutionalising the capability

With BRM practices spreading across industries, Rolan and I discuss the challenge of demonstrating the value of BRM, the increasing focus on business outcomes, and how all functions must continue to shift toward a more strategic purpose.

Favourite quote;

"𝘚𝘶𝘤𝘤𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘣𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘥𝘴 𝘰𝘱𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘶𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘺. 𝘞𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘱𝘦𝘰𝘱𝘭𝘦 𝘴𝘦𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢 𝘉𝘙𝘔 𝘪𝘯𝘷𝘰𝘭𝘷𝘦𝘥 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘦𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘫𝘦𝘤𝘵 𝘰𝘶𝘵𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘴, 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘯𝘢𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘦𝘯𝘨𝘢𝘨𝘦 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦"

Watch the full episode here →

📹 https://youtu.be/FjPMD1F5S3o

🌟 Looking Ahead:

This episode highlights the growing importance of Business Partners in driving business success. Does your organisation have a BRM capability? If so, is it fully utilised...?

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