Pitching My New Title to Management

[crsaze]

I'm new to the forum, and also fairly new to the field. I seem to have the "thrown into it" factor in common with many of you. I would like some help defining my job to my bosses so we can come up with my title and salary for what my job has become.

My position is currently "Multimedia Services Rep" (A/V support for a group of hospitals). Original duties included: Creating/formatting PowerPoint presentations, Editing graphics, Equipment set-up/troubleshooting for meetings, tracking equipment pick-up and returns, assisting photographer and some photography... and the big one "Other duties as needed". The bulk of my work has now shifted to that last item, though many of the original duties are still there.

New duties include: Managing new Multisite VC system including a Tandberg MCU, 3-Tandberg 6000 MXP's, 3-Mobile Tandberg 880 MXP's, 2-Tandberg 880's, and a few Polycom units at remote sites. Using Tandberg Management Suite to schedule meetings. Training users on VC system. Creating and maintaining user guides. Working with other VC Managers to ensure reliability of ad-hoc and recurring conferences. Working with support vendors to maintain systems. Maintaining schedule of all videoconferences. Teching videoconferences when needed. Recording videoconferences when requested. Researching equipment additions and upgrades as needed. "Other duties as needed"... (might leave that one out this time)

My direct Manager is aware of the large addition to my responsibilities, and is willing to work with me to pitch this to his superiors. However, since this is a new position, we are finding it difficult to come up with an exact title that will both satisfy the HR department for my salary requirements, and satisfy the upper management who are really just concerned with what they are getting for their money.

Any suggestions? I'm going to have lots of questions, so I will leave it at that. Thanks so much, and I'm very happy to have found this forum.

[Glen Sykes]

Conferencing and Multimedia Services Administrator

[Skylark]

I would replace "Conferencing" with "Videconferencing", it just sounds more technical.

[crsaze]

It seems now that I have to justify even the existence of this position to them. Does anybody know any good resources that state the importance of having at least one person in an organization who can administer advanced functions and scheduling needs for a multisite videoconferencing system? Management seems to think this system is so great, it can run itself. I'm sure you all know that's not exactly true, right? Any thoughts are appreciated.

[emello]

Not sure if you're still looking for an answer to your question, but this is the first time I've been able to get onto these boards in months. Nice to have it back.

Sure, these systems are so great they run themselves (well, until the executive has to run them, at which point, they don't work!) but it would be shortsighted for management to think that the equipment will stay this way without someone to provide regular maintenance, software updates and system testing. I know with our service contracts, there are constant software updates. Paying an outside vendor to maintain that (or even getting them to respond in a timely fashion,) can be time consuming and expensive. I would much rather have someone in house who has a good working knowledge of the equipment and can troubleshoot it than spend all my time chasing a vendor around, waiting for them to call me back.

There's also the need to have someone around to do testing with other sites prior to the actual meeting so that any connectivity issues can be worked out. The last thing they need is the president walking in and something not working because people assumed it was just going to work. And with multipoint calls, that issue can be even more of an issue. Having someone to coordinate those tests and get the call up and running is important.

You have a lot of it thought out already. Another title idea would be Technical Services Manager, since there is a broad range of skills in the description.

[ITV-U]

The arguement could be made that since everyone has home computers now and do not have an IT staff at home to operate them, they could also save by cutting all of the IT staff and letting them do it themselves. Saves money right...You said hospital, so how does HIPPA play into your conferences?

Information is generally the key to any sale. Call your local sales rep and just get a list of per item / per hour quotes. Also, make sure the quote includes response times and any additional expenses that might be charged.

[crsaze]

Thanks, all. I'm still working on this. Your information is helpful. Glad to see these boards back up!!! "See" you all around.

[carolyn]

A couple of ideas for you to "turn some heads". I know where you're coming from..when I first landed in my current place @5yrs ago, it just so happened that I brought 10 yrs of vc experience from the service/install and training side. What I walked into was a very arcaic environment and was soon kicked out from department into a team of 1..I was able to turn the technology into the 21st century and establish the roots but since this past Jan. we (I grew a coworker) were shufffled back into the large department from where I first came. What I thought initially was a positve outlook with regard to structure of our little team...however, 10 months later and I have turned into a number. yes, technology has evolved here and centralizing control and systems simplicity/reliability often mask the enormous effort put forward almost daily to preserve our 100% success for every meeting as best we can...but we know that it can't work that way..whether it be an end user , network or system glich that keeps us from becoming 100% error free. On the surface our daily routines can appear to be very mundane, especially when your working from your desk with remote sites. Furthermore, with two of us....it can look really bad especially where your areas of expertise leave you involved in different operating modes..those running the floor appear the busiest, most stressed and can easily make many people perceive the other to be inadaquate. Top that with a slight bit of "competition" to add onto that perception and put ones self in the "lead role-expert" and you can really feel like what you do, what you've taken on and the depth of knowledge you bring to the table from your experiences mean lttle to those with whom you work with, and for, directly. Justifying what you do so that upper management will take a second to notice all you have committed yourself to do in order for their lives to be easier, to justify why you should be paid more for all this responsibiltiy you have accepted...wont come from your boss "talking to his boss" kind of "ladder game"...it has to come from you and when it comes...you cannot look back.

What I mean is you must work yourself into a position where you are confidently seen as someone, "if gone" will be extremely difficult to replace. Hiring someone to run around all and set up, tear down, etc. is easy..it is what YOU add in each and every situation that will build your value and respect from all levels in your organization. I am in the healthcare field myself and I know where my "place" is along this vast food chain. But with my place, .not my coworker's, boss's, others in the team nor even our department could jump into my shoes if I left them at the door tomorrow. I am not an ego maniac and I don't rule the vc world,,,what I do , do, is love what I do and am always prepared to make each and every situation, issue, opportunity I am faced with, result in the most positive outcome possible. You do this by keeping youself involved-in the technology, the users, the boring administrative duties (scheduling, test calls, etc), establishing relationships with others-whose job role effects your rolle....network, vendors, researching, user experiences, pc techs, ..all of them..and you take the bits and pieces of what you learn from them and tie yourself a nice little package of goodies that you can offer to make the "upper management's" life easier...if you're good..they will say hi to you by using your name when you pass them in the hallway or you are setting up their "very high level meeting". Always be thinking, become extremely resourcesful and you will find yourself naturally becoming innovative in how you grow the technology where you are. I warn you though...don't step on anyone along the way, stay of the soapbox (at work anyway), follow procedure, document everything just in case you slip or something falls apart. The added benefit being in the medical field and soemthing you want to keep in your head is that no matter how big or small...what you do has an impact on the lives of others ...the first time I ever set set up a system so a the chief cardiologist could give a consult on a premie baby at a remote location by viewing the electrocardiogram over video I almost fell on the floor and cried. And that is SO SMALL compared to what some hospital technology is today. It's even as simple as getting that nice thank you email or the thanks from the participants in a conference when you fixed the mess they created...that will build you...and if, after a while you are not where you want to be in terms of worth..then look at all you have done while you were there..all the goodies you gathered...and feel confident as you carry them with you to a place where they are better used and appreciated.

I don't mean to be sappy or "off the wall" (although I do possess moments of insanity)...I just telling you how easy it is and necessary it is that you do it yourself (you do well...you're boss looks good, the execs look good, etc...it'll come)...It is easy too...that is, if you love what you do. I fell into this profession...I am very different outside of work..I am not a pc guru, network guru..blah blah blah...I have always like math and I see things as word problems in a way..and I always try to solve them. everything else just comes.

If you think along the surface you will never make it...even if you somehow "get that big paycheck" ...you will burn out...being in this stuff..you have to always be thinking and careful of details...RESEARCH, get involved basically..love what you do.

Alright..enough of the sermon..I wish the best of luck...its a small world we vc people live in..but its a good one.

[kriordan]

run while you still can. the same thing happened to me "as needed"
now i do all sorts of things from software admin to conference room build out to fax machine fixer upper guy. it just means management is cheap when the say as needed.

[crsaze]

Well, it's official. The title didn't change. I just moved up to "Assistant Manager, Multimedia Services". But the pay raise was considerable. I also plan to put "Videoconferencing Administrator" on the bottom of my business cards. If nothing else, this will help people remember who they should talk to for VC needs. Thanks all for your suggestions and information. "See" you around.

[tom9933]

Glad to hear things went well for you! I always say that I don’t care what they call me as long as they pay me a lot :)

[MKVAZ]

You should read attempt to get your Certified Video Engineer Certification, then you would have the certification to back up that job position. and Then the title to go with that .