© 2011 IBM CorporationApril 17, 2013 Destination Distinguished Engineer / IBM Fellow TWP – Technology Woman Program April 17, 2012 IBM Learning Center.

© 2011 IBM CorporationApril 17, 2013

Destination Distinguished Engineer / IBM Fellow

TWP – Technology Woman Program

April 17, 2012

IBM Learning Center

Armonk, NY

© 2013 IBM Corporation2 April 17, 2013

Purpose: To describe and explore…Purpose: To describe and explore…

IBM’s Technical Career Structure

Skills and contribution needed to achieve DE

The portfolio of skills you need to build

The depth, breadth and leadership skills you need to demonstrate

The specific technical skills and examples you need to develop for your DE journey

Tips to help with your Roadmap


IBM’s Technical Career Structure

Engineers/ProgrammersTechnical Services

Distinguished Engineers

IBM Fellow

Senior Technical Staff Member

IT SpecialistIT ArchitectIT Consultant*

Professions

Executive PositionsCorporate approval

Executive/CertifiedArchitect

Senior

Advisory

Entry/Staff

Management NominationSenior Certified

Advisory

Entry/Staff

Employee Positions

Band 6

Band 7-8

Band 9-10

NOTE: Client-facing DE’s would typically have experience in client-facing roles, including but not limited to jobs such as Client Technical Advisor, IT Architect, Consultant or STSM roles.

Research Staff Members(not banded)

Consulting Supply Chain Mgmt Prof

Senior Certified

Supply Chain Mgmt Prof

Advisory

Specialist

*Note:• Band 10 - Executive Consultants, Associate Partners and Associate Practice Leaders • Band 9 - Senior Managing Consultants• Band 8 - Managing ConsultantsReview the Career Guide for additional job tiles by band


Becoming a DE means: Increasing Skill and ContributionBecoming a DE means: Increasing Skill and Contribution

Recognize (or create) fundamental shifts in

technology, market or approach

Understand gaps and unfulfilled client needs

Know what we have today, where it fits and how it is used

Understand basic vocabulary and facts

1.Can follow the discussions and assist someone when required

2. Can brief others on current technology (at multiple levels of detail)

3. Can develop insights into future opportunities

4. Can propose, persuade and lead through periods of change

Technical Skills Level of Contribution


Becoming a DE means:Becoming a DE means:

Building a portfolio of : Technical contributions Professional activities Intellectual capital/reusable assets References


How to:How to:

Build a portfolio Become a contributor Gain skills Gain Visibility

BREADTH LEADERSHIP

DE

EXPERTISE

BUSINESS


Thriving as a DEThriving as a DE

Continually expand

and deepen expertise

Breadth and leadership always growing

A DE fills a business need

BREADTH LEADERSHIP

DE

EXPERTISE

BUSINESS


Build a solid base of technical expertiseBuild a solid base of technical expertise

EXPERTISE

Deep technical skill and knowledge– Demonstrated by specific accomplishments, a history of sustained contribution

• Innovation: Describe the novelty of contributions• Collaboration: Describe how contributions fit into a larger solution, how they were able to be applied to another

product or project

Appropriately communicated– Peers and colleagues

• Awareness of contributions, influence other projects• Build network of other technical experts who can be called upon and will return the trust • Shares expertise with others to strengthen IBM

– Technical and business leaders• Organization and discipline familiarity with accomplishments • Build a network of senior people who will recommend and support


Demonstrate Technical LeadershipDemonstrate Technical Leadership

EXPERTISE

LEADERSHIP

Become a known expert– Compelling domain of expertise – Remain relevant– Capabilities and accomplishments are

common knowledge among technical and business leaders

– Scope of influence is beyond immediate team• Called upon

• Recognized as an industry expert

Assume leadership responsibilities– Drive the adoption of new technology– Be an innovator, thought leader, change agent– Be a role model– Identify gaps and opportunities– Build a network

• technical experts

• business and technical leaders

50

37

44

36

13

14

39

19

76

52

354

58

4131

71

59

57

9

53

73

45

26

68

29

10

15

7562

61

1648 77

2127

6751 65

17

74

3172490

64

78

40

66

38

7269

8180

who are the Leaders?

Leadership is not something given to an individual, it’s

something demonstrated by the individual

© 2013 IBM Corporation10

April 17, 2013

Demonstrate Technical BreadthDemonstrate Technical Breadth

Demonstrate Business Acumen– A solid understanding of market, client and business

applications of technical plans and new ideas• Build trusting, long-lasting client relationships• Understand the market and competitive

landscape

EXPERTISE

BREADTH LEADERSHIP

Contribute beyond normal responsibilities– Publications demonstrate ability to communicate leadership to industry, clients, colleagues– Patents and disclosures demonstrate technical innovation and creativity– Active participation in corporate or cross-functional task forces, academy studies, etc.

demonstrates valued IBM expertise

– Active participation in standard bodies, technical professional organizations, conferences and workshops, industry technical certification, etc. demonstrates recognition as industry expert

– Active participation with area schools and organizations, university relations as a technical consultant demonstrates community leadership


April 17, 2013

Demonstrate business acumenDemonstrate business acumen

BUSINESS

EXPERTISE

BREADTH LEADERSHIP

Solid understanding of market, client, and business needs– Trusting, long-lasting client relationships– Awareness of market and competitive landscape

Applied to create value for IBM and its clients– Informed by the ‘bigger picture’:

• Overall scope or goals of project• Divisional/organizational strategy and mission

– Address client pain points, fulfill client needs

Appropriately communicated – with clarity, conviction, and integrity– IBM Executives

• Convey technical understanding at business executive level• Becomes a trusted resource

– Customers• Represent IBM and IBM’s solutions to customers• Become a trusted advisor to customers


April 17, 2013

DE “POTENTIAL” -ASK YOURSELFDE “POTENTIAL” -ASK YOURSELF

Are you considered a technical expert? Are you visible? Are you respected? Do you have executive presence? Do you exhibit a pattern of sharing and reuse? Are you a role model? Are you a ‘significant’ mentor? Do you have significant and long lasting

contributions – technical and business?


April 17, 2013

Ways to Gain Additional RecognitionWays to Gain Additional Recognition

Participate in cross line of business activities Consider Global Opportunities – Short term rotations Include Distinguished Engineers in engagement reviews Leverage Research, Software Group, Server Group to deliver

client value Become known by Client Executives Publish Point of View or article related to expertise Corporate Awards or External Honors Become known to your Executives Speak at an external event


April 17, 2013

Self-Assessment ToolsSelf-Assessment Tools

.. what am I doing RIGHT NOW consistent with building my technical and leadership skills?

I am known for [2-4 things]. By this time next year, I plan to be known for [1-2 more things]

My current project is challenging me in the following [1-3 ways] New stuff I’ve learned in the last 90 days includes [1-3 things] Important new additions to my network in the last 90 days include [2-4 names] My public –local/regional/national/global-”visibility program” consists of [1-2 things] My principal “resume enhancement activity” for the next 90 days is [1 item] My resume is discernibly different from last year’s on this date in the following [1-2

ways]


April 17, 2013

Thriving as a DEThriving as a DE

EXPERTISEContinually expand

and deepen expertise

Breadth and leadership always growing

A DE fills a business need

BREADTH LEADERSHIP

DE

BUSINESS

Shares knowledge to strengthen IBM


April 17, 2013

Tip: Don’t be afraid to operate outside your comfort zoneTip: Don’t be afraid to operate outside your comfort zone

Danger Zone– Don’t go there!– Learn to know if you are there!– ..then know how to get back into a

safer zone Risk Zone

– You need the right equipment to operate here

Stretch Zone– Aim to be here the majority of the

time Comfort Zone

– Challenge yourself!– Get out of there!

Danger Zone

Risk Zone

Stretch Zone

Comfort Zone


April 17, 2013


Other DEs and technical leaders

Tip: Build your networkBusiness leaders

Up and coming talent


April 17, 2013


Technical Accomplishments

Professional Contributions

Intellectual Capital/Reusable Assets

References

Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5

What you’ve accomplished, its impact for clients and for IBM, how you communicate to your peers and leaders what you’ve done

What you’ve contributed to IBM’s and external technical communities, IBM cross-organization accomplishment, how you’ve been a mentor and role model

What you’ve contributed to technical literature within IBM and externally, patents and other innovation, assets that can be reused

The technical and business leaders who know and appreciate your contributions and accomplishments, who call upon your expertise

Planning for DE: It’s never to early to begin your preparation !


April 17, 2013

Distinguished Engineer – Sheila Harnett

“Set a career goal early – aim high. Communicate your goal & objectives. Pursue mentor(s) in the field to which you aspire. Stay current in industry and technology trends. Build trust & confidence in your leadership by delivering on commitments. Growth often requires stretching beyond your comfort zone, so start warming up.”

What makes my career special?

Over my 20+ year career, I have worked in SWG, STG and, now, GTS. This has given me a broad perspective of all of IBM’s businesses, and how important it is for all of us to partner for the benefit of our clients. One of the most unique and rewarding experiences was leading IBM’s Linux development team, which transformed IBM into a valued, contributing member of the Open Source Software Linux development community. It taught me to anticipate & embrace change; doing so can help position IBM for industry leadership.

How do I add value to my clients?

I add value to IBM’s Service Delivery clients by defining and building reusable reference architectures for managed server infrastructure. This allows IBM to provide the best managed server service to our clients, introducing and leveraging automation to deliver innovative server management solutions. Providing a superior IT-management service to clients at a competitive cost allows clients to invest in strategic initiatives that add incremental value to their business.

Joined IBM1992

LocationAustin, Texas

Follow meLinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?

id=16780615

What makes my job essential?As a Distinguished Engineer, I am a trusted technical advisor to my

clients, as well as to my organization’s executives. I must be able to meld technical requirements with business objectives to recommend the best technical solution or path forward for the problem at hand. To prepare yourself for such a role, seek out a variety of technical leadership roles that expose you to different technologies. Study the competition and industry trends. A strong network is an invaluable source of information and opportunities. Build a network of people across all divisions, and strive to become a valuable member of other people’s networks.

Degree Attained:1992 Ph.D Computer Science, University of Louisiana – Lafayette1988 M.S. Computer Science, University of Louisiana - Lafayette1987 B.S. Computer Science, Central Washington University

Job Role(s) in Career Staff Programmer Senior Technical Staff Member Distinguished Engineer

Highlights of my career to date:

2010 – Present. GTS, Service Delivery, Virtualization & Distributed Server Management SSA Leader, DE

2001 – Distinguished Engineer, STG, Software Architecture & Strategy

1999 - STG, Chief Architect for IBM Linux Technology Center

1997 – Senior Technical Staff Member, SWG (PSP), Chief Architect, JavaOS

1992 – Joined IBM, SWG (PSP), OS/2 Workplace Shell Dev, Staff Programmer

Senior Technical Staff Member Path


April 17, 2013

Distinguished Engineer – Susan Schreitmueller

Job Role(s) in Career S&D (Advanced Technical Support),

STG Austin Power System Development,

Client Care, CEEMEA – CTO, Technical Director ATS – MENA, WW

Chief Client Advocate Storage

“Whether you think you can or whether you think you cannot – you are usually right.” Henry Ford

Highlights of my career to date:Appointment to Distinguished Engineer CTO of CEEMEA and Director of Technical Services MENAAppointment to AcademyAppointment to Academy Leadership Team.

What makes my career special? I got my start in the military. I think this experience uniquely qualifies me with a ‘can-do’ attitude. Nothing like

having 20 year old equipment – erecting a control tower in the middle of nowhere and having 20 airplanes needing to land! I take the Apollo 13 approach – this is what we’ve got in the ship so how are we going to make it work. When I started in IT my ultimate goal was to work for IBM. I started as a B-9 and saw a promotion announcement to DE for a colleague. I immediately saw the influence and ability to make a difference and said – what is that and how do I become one?

Joined IBM1976

LocationDallas, Texas, USA

Follow meRovrAllOvr on twitter and Linked In

Highlight quote

How do I add value to my clients?I try very hard to look at each client’s challenges from their viewpoint. I don’t condone ‘us against them’ . I

don’t sell hardware and software – I define and promote solutions to business problems. Speeds and feeds are not as important as a solution that works, every time – ALL the time. Business continuity, serviceability and availability are key as well. When a client has an outage - I take it personally. I also believe that as a DE there is no ‘they’ – no calvary... it is up to me to own and drive solutions to obstacles and to create a climate of positive change and improvement.

Degree obtained:University of South Florida Bachelors Information TechnologyJones University Bachelor Business AdministrationNOVA University - post Graduate work AMEDA College – Master Information Technology

Senior Technical Staff Member Path

© 2011 IBM CorporationApril 17, 2013 Destination Distinguished Engineer / IBM Fellow TWP – Technology Woman Program April 17, 2012 IBM Learning Center.

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