Hey everyone, I could really use your advice. I started as the Sysadmin at my company last year, and like many new roles, it came with its challenges. When I arrived, there were contracts with service providers that were either expired, linked to former businesses we no longer worked with, or had not been reviewed in over five years.
I've been handling everything myself—optimizing the tech setup, sorting out contracts, and ensuring our staff have the tools they need. The problem is, whenever I present a solution with recommendations, it often takes my management weeks or even months to make a decision. Their typical response is to weigh the pros and cons of different options, but I feel like this drag is hurting my reputation.
Is there a more effective approach I can take to speed up these decisions in the future?
2 Answers
When you suggest a service provider, go in with a clear recommendation and the reasons behind it. State something like, 'We evaluated A, B, and C, and for reasons X, Y, and Z, I believe we should choose C.' Confidence in your choice helps keep management from hesitating.
Present your top choice along with the rationale, then set a deadline for feedback—no longer than two weeks. Hold a meeting to go over everything initially presented, so everyone’s on the same page. This way, you’re taking charge while also giving management a chance to voice objections beforehand. Remember, with the responsibility comes accountability—own it!
I totally get your situation. It’s key to be accountable for your recommendations. But I also suggest talking with your management about your lack of financial authority since you can't make the final call. It’s good to keep them informed!
If you face any pushback, keep your recommendations limited to the best two options for the business. Present the pros and cons clearly. Don’t include anything that doesn’t genuinely meet the needs just because it seems cheaper. It's important to stick to realistic options for consideration.