Greg Gardner, NetApp
WashingtonExec Series:
WashingtonExec reached out to executives in the community for their insights on issues concerning the mobility industry. Can mobility remain cost effective while being efficient, and how does it reduce cost for clients?
Our tenth participant is Greg Gardner, former Deputy CIO for the Intelligence Community and Chief Architect of Government and Defense Solutions at NetApp.
Greg Gardner:
Mobility: Enabling Personal Relationships
Conference call complete, I answer several emails, fill out a travel claim, send a text to my daughter, and make reservations for dinner on Saturday evening…before transitioning to my next conference call… then business meetings downtown.
A normal day at work, right?
Actually, I’m sitting in my hotel room in Australia’s capital, Canberra. It’s 2 AM local (10 AM EST), and – issues of jet-lag aside – functioning just as I normally would with the same voice and data connectivity, same access to information, same virtual presence in many fora as if I was physically sitting in Northern Virginia.
Mobility.
Enabled by global reach, reasonable pricing models, exceptional digital connectivity, and common operating standards, there is little question that with just modest effort and expense the average person can remain in normal electronic contact in any modern country in the world.
The benefit? Enhanced personal relationships.
For me, the key benefit of this incredible connectivity is that I can optimize those engagements where my personal presence and face-to-face interactions make a difference. Here in Australia, I forge bonds with members of the local branch of my company, establish both informal and contractual relationships with partners, and see first-hand different perspectives, different use-cases for our technology solutions. And all this done while not losing the beat on business and personal rhythms at home.
Of course, lunch is never free.
For all of its remarkable connectivity advantages, leveraging mobility does bear a pricetag. Remaining digitally connected takes time and energy. Sleep is often the first victim and, without careful planning, impaired decision-making can follow closely behind. The key is balance, prudence, and a ‘glass-half-full’ attitude.
Go for it!!
