Finding Tech Industry Leadership And Forward Thinking

Placing leadership in a technical department or at the head of a technical firm is somewhat like reading the feature. You need more than smart, and you need more than original; the leaders of tech need to have both a pulse on the next big thing as well as the current infatuation in case new is "too new" for the masses. Here are a few leadership in tech topics that you should convert into questions and discussion when searching for a tech leader.

Bringing Broadband To Offline Areas As A Nonprofit

One powerful topic in technology and nonprofit world improvement is bringing internet service to people without service or with old services that can't keep up with the times.

Just like your business' need for a good, technology-savvy leadership team, knowledge of the internet is no longer a privilege. Automation will remove many augmented labor jobs and result in a net reduction of tasks that require low skill, so the next generation--including the 30-something who may be in the middle of an awkward shift--needs internet no matter how expensive or out of reach the services may be.

Speak with a prospective leader about different ways to deploy internet. Beyond just saying "give them mobile data with smartphones!" or "roll out more cable!", your future leadership must have an understanding of costs and a solid plan for moving towards that goal.

It needs to be specific to a point, such as crunching the costs and figuring out who will foot the bill. Lectures about working together and making it happen with no other details won't cut it here, so keep up the pressure by discussing the pro's and con's of each decision. Mobile data can be high speed and convenient, but what about jobs that need flawless video or audio with interruptions that could be lost in mobile inconsistency? How many neighborhoods in rural areas can be supported with DSL, copper cable, or fiber optic services at certain power points?

The questions can gauge how well tech leadership can decide between plans that are helpful and fiscally responsible--a dire need when nonprofits need to make miracles happen without working for profit as a goal.

Bridging The Apple And Everything Else Gap

Apple devices are the cool, chic thing to do. Android users scoff at the idea of overpaying for pieces of plastic that are nothing more but miniaturized laptops with fewer features. Some people just hate certain brands. Nonprofits in tech need to make the right decision, and this debate is a great way to test leadership sensibilities.

For Apple products--why choose them? Is it because they're a major force in computer use that people need to get used to? Is that really a serious concern, or can children and young adults switch between phones, tablets, and computers without much effort?

When it comes to other devices, Android-based smartphones and tablets are more affordable but work differently. If your nonprofit is equipping children with the future, you could make the devices reach further. You may face some resistance if non-technical members of the computer are sold on the Apple brand and lash at your services as useless, and the same could happen from Android supporters.

Your prospective leadership needs to consider costs, practicality, industry use, and whether choosing a specific brand really impacts community assistance and output. Question yourself as you look for an executive-level tech professional, but consider their answers and angle for its logic instead of your preference. Speak with a representative from a nonprofit executive search firm, such as Scion Executive Search, to underline your tech leadership needs. 

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