Adventures of an IA in business school
Effective IAs need to have a firm grasp of business concepts. At my first IA
Summit, a panel asked for a show of hands: “How many of you are thinking
about getting an MBA?” A lot of hands, including mine, went up. Six years
later, I am still a practicing IA and finally pursuing an MBA.
Going to business school has not stirred me to change professions, but to
improve my effectiveness as an IA. I’ll discuss:
1.Drawing from other disciplines – It is easy to imagine the marketing and
management themes that apply to our work, but what about accounting,
statistics, operations, etc.? We are already dabbling in these fields and may
not even realize it.
2. Understanding your role – IAs fill diverse roles on different types of
projects. We can plan and execute more effectively by considering the goals
of the project and how it is funded. Does the organization perceive your role
as strategic or support?
3. Knowing your audience – Studying business concepts can be like user
research: empathize with colleagues and clients by appreciating the complexity
of the decisions they face, and understand what matters to others to
communicate more effectively.
4. Would I recommend business school? It depends on you. If you’re truly
passionate about creating and designing, this may not be your cup of tea. As a
matter of fact, I will share anecdotes where my creative ideals have been
ousted by practical concerns.
This discussion is aimed at anyone thinking about the bigger picture and where
we fit in. Whether you’re new to the field or a master of IA techniques,
this perspective can be valuable. Takeaways may help in tailoring deliverables
to different stakeholders, managing projects more effectively, and planning
your career.
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