GOOD TRAITS FOR A CTO If you are looking for a CTO here are some of the traits that Mayberry and Davoli say owners should look for. Obviously, they need to have an understanding of technology in general and have a passion for it.
“I don’t focus just on landscaping tech-
nology,” Mayberry says. “I am researching medical technologies, satellite technol- ogies, weather technologies because you just never know what is going to be applicable. So, I think the most important thing is having a passion for technology. “ Another critical skill is being able to serve as a conduit between the own- ership and management team and the outside technology companies they’re interacting with. A good CTO should be able to break technical concepts into layman’s terms but also understand the technology-related jargon. “Technology can be a little scary for many folks as it typically involves change and addressing the fear of the unknown,” Davoli says. “It is very bene- ficial for a CTO to not only be a strong leader but an excellent communicator and well organized to direct the projects.
Delivering a product in a timely manner is essential.”
Davoli says getting buy-in from operations is essential to cause change so this calls for a good working rapport with the operations team to learn their specific needs, address their concerns and keep everyone informed. Mayberry adds that CTOs should not be an owner as owners think very differ- ently about the business than somebody who is focused on technology. A CTO should be willing to take a risk and show the ROI that can occur by changing a certain process or software system.
ADVICE ON ADDING A CTO TO YOUR BUSINESS
Mayberry says it’s important for even smaller companies to begin considering looking for a person who is technology- focused. He advises looking inside your current operations first to see if anyone has a passion for technology. “I think a lot of owners look at a CTO role and they’ll pull up Indeed and look at salaries for CTOs, and say, ‘Well I can’t afford that,’” Mayberry says. “Maybe you don’t need that at first but what you
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do need is somebody who is thinking about technology first.”
Depending on the nature of your business will determine how the CTO role will be structured. The important thing is that they understand the land- scaping industry very well. Davoli says she enjoys doing “special projects” that may not always be technology-driven but need a strong leader to bring the project to fruition. “A good CTO should be flexible to provide support in a variety of roles as the needs arise,” she says.
Mayberry encourages others not to be afraid of technology and connect with other companies with a strong technology focus.
“Don’t wait until you actually really need somebody to start looking for that person,” Mayberry says. “It is going to be a challenge to find somebody within the price range that you want. It’s going to be a challenge to find somebody with the skillset that you want so start looking now. Start talking about it with other people.” TLP
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