Messaging and Collaboration Service Delivery Manager Review

I have 2 teams, 1 team delivers an end to end IT service for our execs and the London office and my other team manages and develops the M365 tenant on behalf of RSA globally. My role is to manage both teams and continually develop and improve the services being offered

Within my role since joining RSA I have learnt and developed a lot - this is both from a technology and a technical perspective. My teams have grown in terms of numbers and offerings which has meant that I have needed to improve and enhance my leadership skillset - one size does not fit all! technically - there is no option to stand still - tech is always changing so I need to ensure I remain up to date on opportunities to improve

I am only on my 2nd module - both have been very disappointing from a lecturer perspective. The 1st module had a change part way through - for the better.. the 2nd lead was able to explain what was actually required for the assignment and this made a big difference. The current module is being delivered by someone who has very poor coaching/teaching skills - clearly does not listen to the class and seems, at best, uninterested

Poor - modules are not opened until a couple of days before the module starts (at best if I listen to other feedback) this means that I am immediately on the back foot for reading etc, It would be sensible for the reading list to be made available for the next module as the current one ends so we can take advantage of the break between to get a head start. Once the module starts session information needs to be fully available at the beginning so, again, we can read ahead. There seems to be no thought given to the fact we are all working full time jobs as well as studying!

I get a lot of support from my employer - lots of feedback, opportunities to engage with as many people as I need to in order to learn as much as possible. My direct line manager is very supportive and has no issues with any tme needed to study/learn more - couldn't ask for better!

Still early days - however, this comes back to poor communications out of the modules. In the 1st module we all submitted our business cases, expecting feedback - none was provided so we were, essentially, working blind into the assignment., When we submitted the draft assignment for feedback, I assumed (as it was not clear) that we would get an indicative score for the draft and amend for the final submission... this did not happen at all either.

Whilst I am not terribly impressed with the delivery of the training, I have found that it is leading me to be asking better and more complete questions outside of the sessions in order to actually understand what the module is about. Absolutely this eeds to be happening anyway - this is a level 7 module, perhaps poor training is a reverse psychology exercise!

We have the opportunity to attend 3rd party events like the ones on offer from Kocho which I plan to attend, diary allowing, These would be the best opportunities to professionally network. In terms of social activity - as a team I do encourage semi regular team lunches (at the pub!) where we can talk all things work, non work and everything else... these offer a non judgemental opportunity to develop and learn

Yes

My personal experience has been very good one - having worked in a number of highly toxic environments, I have found that the last 8 years I have been here (record time!) have flown by and I have been offered lots of opportunities to stretch and develop. Of course, that won't be the experience everyone has, I am very fortunate to have a great boss that allow me to play to my strengths but offers the change to grow further

Go for it! Be prepared to be frustrated at some of the archaic methods and processes but also be prepared to offer solutions to these problems - not always picked up but, as an organisation more now than ever before are we looking to drive some real changes and improvements... all ideas should be welcomed and discussed!