B2B Data Integration and Transformation Blog

Think about the planning required for changes affecting the platforms, applications, and data within your department.   Many leaders start by updating an architectural diagram to validate current state, before creating a visual document illustrating future state.

But what about your department’s organizational chart?  Regardless of staff size, do you have a plan on paper that reflects your team’s current state and creates a roadmap for what it will look like in the future?

In my December 2015 article I discussed reasons we hire for logic (not merely a grasp of EDI or translator specific syntax) and why we conduct our screening processes in such a way to achieve an understanding of skill sets. Today I’d like to add an additional thought about hiring using a concept called Personas.

Having managed a number of teams over the years, one of my greatest rewards is to witness a diverse group of individuals accomplish a common goal.  Diversity in the workplace means a lot of different things to a lot of different people depending on the seat they sit in for your company.  What I am addressing here is a different kind of diversity.  Let me explain. 

Jack Welch - former CEO of General Electric - wrote a book entitled “Winning” that became required reading for some of the managers at a Fortune 500 company where I spent a decade of my recruiting and management career.    “Winning” provides some excellent advice on topics such as hiring, firing, leadership, expansion, crisis management, and more.

The book is a quick read, and while you won’t agree with everything Jack offers, perhaps you’ll be able to use one modified suggestion I have found effective when hiring.

Logic versus Syntax – Different Approaches for Different Phases.

Here are two quick thoughts to consider the next time you need to hire an EDI professional.

Screen for Syntax

In the early stages of the hiring process someone within your organization will likely conduct initial screening calls of applicants for a position you need to fill.   Sometimes this can be done by HR and sometimes, based on the complexity of the role, it will need to be conducted by someone with a technical EDI or Data Integration background.    During these initial calls, screening for a meaningful command of relevant syntax is important.