About

IMG_0068Tom Salonek is the founder and CEO of Intertech, a Minnesota-based technology consulting and training firm. Intertech has won over 50 awards including being named one of Fortune magazine’s 2016 Best Places to Work in Tech, landing nine-times on the Inc. 500/5000 list of fastest growing companies in America, being named eleven-times to The Business Journal’s Best Places to Work in Minnesota, being the #1 mid-sized employer in Minnesota by Minnesota Business magazine, being the #1 employer in Minnesota (50-150 employee category) by The Star Tribune, and being one of the 15 best consulting firms to work for in America by Consulting Magazine.

He completed executive education at the Harvard School of Business and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He holds a degree in Computer Science from the University of St. Thomas and is a past instructor at the University of St. Thomas Graduate School of Business Management Center.

In 2003, he founded the Intertech Foundation that assists families with critically ill children. In 2015, he launched a scholarship for STEM students.

He has written more than 100 articles on business, leadership and technology, and blogs regularly at http://www.Intertech.com/Blog and http://www.TomSalonek.com. He is the author of the the five-star book Building a Winning Business.  His new book is The 100:  Building Blocks for Winning Leadership and is published by Agate Publishing.

Comments

  1. Tom

    Hi Tom,

    I read your article, “Success Through Failure” in CDW BizTech – not sure why I picked it up, but it was a slow day and I thought I’d get some reading in.

    I work for a small company as an IT Director – really too small to be considered a CIO. I’m the most tenured employee next to the CEO; however, I’m not in a management role. Like you, I have been told that I am not management material even though I’ve managed a team of up to four IT professionals. The company I work for has an extremely high turnover rate, is cyclical, dependent on large clients. One of the largest clients was lost, and nearly half of the employees left or were laid off. My salary has increased, but I am down to a one-man IT shop. We are running antiquated equipment, and I feel my only role is merely maintenance and simple help desk tasks. I feel like a glorified over 40 “computer guy.” The worst part is that the company does not reimburse or further training in my field since all the technology we use is 10 year old technology though we sell ourselves as being innovative – using the latest technology.

    I would welcome any advice you may have for IT professionals in my situation.

    • tomsalonek

      Thanks for taking the time to read the article and post your dilemma. I appreciate it and your candor.

      First, I think your employer should be concerned… the economy has gained ½ the jobs lost in the recession, different regions are doing better than others (Check out yours here… http://www.bls.gov/web/metro/laummtrk.htm), and from what I’ve experienced firsthand, the IT is a sector faring better, for the employees, than others. For what it’s worth, you’re not alone.

      My mother has a saying “misery loves company.” Last week, I wrote an article published in the Star Tribune, MN’s top newspaper, called ‘Keep ’em happy and productive’ (http://www.startribune.com/business/142938185.html). In summary, there are a startling number of folks in your situation (unhappy in their job roles).

      For you and others in your position, start with your current firm:

      1. Without being too Pollyanna (given what you shared about your employer), is there an opportunity to present a win/win? For me, if someone comes and with something like, “I’d like to build an iPhone app. I know we want one for our firm. If I create the app on my own time would the firm send me to training on its time?”
      2. As it relates to your current firm, think of all the ways that you could help it achieve its goals… do a mega brainstorm. Throw out the bad ideas. Prioritize the good ideas. Sit down with your manager and share what you could do to help the firm move forward.

      If the above run into a brick wall, move on to Plan B:

      1. No one will care about you or your career more than you. Invest in yourself even if your employer won’t. There are a tremendous number of online resources that offer free learning. Books from the library are free.
      2. If you’re a technical professional, technical books are cheaper on Amazon.com for the Kindle version. Kindle readers are free for smartphones and computers. Begin building your digital library and investing in your learning.
      3. Community and technical colleges offer training in evenings. It’s usually affordable because it’s subsidized by the state, county, or other government agency. These tend to be more focused, practical, and hands-on. Check it out.
      4. Look into local or online user groups. These offer free learning and networking opportunities.
      5. Certifications are an objective way to show people you know your stuff if you don’t have current experience.
      6. On the certification and/or retraining front, make sure the new technology your studying has jobs waiting for you after you make your investment of time and money. The web and Google make this easy.
      7. Get your LinkedIn profile is up to date, request endorsements from customers and colleagues, and join LinkedIn groups that fit your interests/skills. More and more recruiters use LinkedIn groups as a way to post job openings.
      8. If you’re into social media like Twitter or Facebook, make sure you’re clean before you begin a job search.
      9. A way to network, get experience and leadership is to volunteer. Look into ‘GiveCamps.’ These volunteer events are for technical folks who use their skills to help out groups like non-profits. It’s a win/win and all resume worthy.
      10. If you’re looking to demonstrate your knowledge, create a blog. Tie it to Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn. Create posts in the area where you’re looking for a job. Create downloads, whitepapers, videos, or utilities that show what you know.
      11. Let everyone know you’re looking for new work.
      12. Lastly, check out a post on the Intertech blog: http://www.intertech.com/Blog/post/3-Simple-Steps-to-a-Successful-Interview.aspx

      Good luck and let me know if there’s more I can do.

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