Consulting Tip #01 on Writing Everything Down + Exciting News for IT Consultants
Hi there,
First off, I owe you an apology ā itās been a while since my last update. But Iāve been working on exciting projects that I canāt wait to share with you!
Over the past few years, Iāve been deeply immersed in the world of enterprise architecture. In fact, I wrote a book on the subject in Finnish, Kokonaisarkkitehtuuri: Oppaasi organisaation muutosmatkalla. Itās a practical guide to leveraging enterprise architecture as a strategic tool for driving organizational change.
Now, hereās some exciting news for my English-speaking readers: an English edition of the enterprise architecture book is currently in the works! Stay tuned ā Iāll share more updates later.
In the meantime, you can explore my Substack, Enterprise Architecture Transformation, where I share practical advice, in-depth analysis, and actionable strategies to help you navigate the complexities of enterprise architecture.
And if you, or someone you know, havenāt yet checked out my first IT consulting book, Technology Consultant Fast Track, Iām offering a special deal, available at Amazon US from December 10, 8:00Ā AM PST to December 17, 8:00 AM PST. Whether youāre starting out or considering a career in IT consulting, this book will give you the edge you need to stand out and land your dream role.
š”Ā Introducing Consulting Tips: A New Series
Would you be interested in a series of actionable tips on consulting? Even if youāre not a consultant, these insights can help you tap into your āconsulting sideā and excel in any knowledge work role.
Iāve written two books on IT consulting, mentored colleagues, and shared my career journey with students, so this topic is close to my heart.
Letās start with one of my favorites:
š¼ Consulting Tip 01 ā Write Everything Down
Let me take you back to fall 2008, when I almost made a rookie mistake. I was heading to a client meeting without my laptop. āI donāt have an active role,ā I thought. āWhy would I need it?ā Thankfully, my project manager insisted, and I showed up with my laptop in hand.
What did I learn? Taking notes is a fundamental consulting skill. Write down everything important, even if youāre not responsible for drafting formal minutes. You never know when a client might say something golden. In enterprise architecture, for example, these notes often form the foundation of diagrams and documentation.
Some worry that typing during a meeting seems impolite, but my experience is the opposite: clients appreciate it when their input is taken seriously enough to be recorded. That said, remember to lift your eyes from the screen and engage ā balance is key. Itās entirely possible to run a meeting, take solid notes, and even sketch the first version of an architecture diagram live.
Taking notes is about much more than just recording information ā itās a powerful tool that benefits both you and the meeting itself. Writing things down helps organize your thoughts, as it forces you to structure what youāre hearing and thinking. This makes it easier to process the discussion and clarify your understanding. Additionally, note-taking keeps you focused and alert during meetings, even in those hopefully rare meetings where it is difficult to pay attention. Itās also proven that writing things down helps you retain information better, as it reinforces your understanding and memory.
šĀ Tools and Practical Tips
Youāll need a laptop ā any note-taking app will do. I used Notepad for years before switching to Notepad++. If youāre responsible for the formal meeting minutes, write directly in the correct template to save time. And for more visual documentation, tools like Miro or architecture-specific software can be invaluable.
When I take notes, I keep things simple and efficient. I write in bullet points using raw text to give my notes structure without wasting time. This method not only speeds up the note-taking process but also makes it easier to reference and use the notes later. I focus on capturing key points and donāt record who said what unless itās specifically relevant. This keeps my notes concise and to the point while ensuring they remain actionable.
And donāt forget to share your screen in the right way (Extend in Windows), so you can take notes while presenting.Ā
Moleskines? Leave those for CEOs who can summarize in a few bullet points ā the rest of us need serious tools.
š¤Ā Can AI Replace Notes?
AI tools like Teams can transcribe meetings, but these features may be disabled for security reasons. And who wants to sift through pages of AI-generated text to find the essentials? While AI is helpful, your own notes ensure you capture what you find important.
š¬Ā Stay Tuned for More!
This is just the beginning of the Consulting Tips series, and thereās much more to come ā practical advice, personal stories, and insights from the world of IT consulting and enterprise architecture. Plus, Iāll be sharing updates on my upcoming book, so donāt miss out!
If you have any questions, ideas, or topics youād like me to cover, feel free to reply to this email or send a message on LinkedInāIād love to hear from you.
Hereās to your success,
Eetu Niemi
Ā
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