The Collaboration Cure: Aligning IT, Operations, and Strategy

Episode: Leadership Transitions and Company Culture Featuring Kris Kesting, Owner & CEO of DisplayCraft, Inc. 

When leadership changes, everything feels like it’s in motion—from decision-making to daily routines. But one area that often gets overlooked (and shouldn’t) is the alignment between IT, operations, and business strategy. 

In times of transition, a lack of alignment across departments doesn’t just slow you down—it creates risk. But when IT is integrated into your operations and strategic goals, that’s when things really click. 

Here’s how to make sure your IT team is more than a background function—and a key player in your business success. 

Don’t Let IT Sit on the Sidelines 

In many organizations, IT is brought in too late—after the strategy is written and operations are already shifting. That’s a missed opportunity. 

When IT is part of the strategy from day one, you get: 

• Smoother system transitions 

• More secure infrastructure 

• Technology that supports your goals 

• Less scrambling when leadership priorities change 

Think of IT less like a support desk, and more like a strategic co-pilot. 

Cross-Department Collaboration = Faster Wins 

It’s not just about leadership meetings. It’s about building workflows where operations, IT, and leadership talk to each other regularly. 

💡 Want to launch a new product? 
Operations knows the workflow, IT can flag tech risks, and leadership sets the direction. 

💡 Planning a remote workforce expansion? 
Operations outlines staffing needs, IT secures the infrastructure, leadership builds the business case. 

When these teams are aligned, decisions get made faster—and executed better. 

Align on Goals, Not Just Tools 

Technology isn’t helpful if it doesn’t serve your strategic goals. That’s why alignment starts with clarity on what matters most. 

Ask: 

• What are our top three business goals this year? 

• How is IT currently supporting (or slowing down) those goals? 

• What processes need to be reimagined—not just digitized? 

IT alignment is not about tools. It’s about outcomes. 

Integrate IT Into the Planning Table 

Make it standard practice to loop IT leaders into: 

• Quarterly and annual planning 

• Operational process redesigns 

• Vendor evaluations 

• Budget decisions 

This isn’t just about courtesy—it’s about clarity. When IT has visibility, it can proactively offer solutions instead of reactively fixing problems. 

Use Culture to Bridge the Gap 

Even with the best strategy, siloed teams don’t collaborate well unless culture supports it. 

Build a culture where: 

• IT isn’t blamed when things go wrong—they’re consulted so they go right 

• Operational wins include recognition for behind-the-scenes tech support 

• Strategy meetings include voices from multiple departments 

When people feel heard, they contribute more—and turf wars turn into teamwork. 

Why This Matters More Than Ever 

In today’s fast-moving, hybrid work environments, disconnection between strategy, operations, and IT leads to: 

🚨 Delayed initiatives 
🚨 Increased cybersecurity risk 
🚨 Lower productivity 
🚨 Poor user and customer experiences 

And in a leadership transition? Those gaps only get wider. 

🔐 In fact, IBM’s 2023 Cost of a Data Breach Report found that organizations with high levels of cross-functional collaboration saved an average of $1.49M per breach compared to those with siloed teams. 

That’s a measurable payoff for better alignment. 

Real IT Strategy = Real Business Results 

When your IT strategy is aligned with operations and leadership: 

✅ Projects launch on time 
✅ Employees get the tools they actually need 
✅ Risk is managed—not just patched 
✅ Your team can scale and adapt more easily 

This is how you build momentum—and keep it going through leadership changes, market shifts, and everything in between. 

Final Takeaways 

✔ IT shouldn't be brought in last—it should be part of the planning 
✔ Collaboration between IT, ops, and strategy saves time, money, and headaches 
✔ Culture is the glue that turns cross-team friction into flow 
✔ Proactive alignment pays off—in both performance and security 
✔ Charles IT can help bring your tech and your business goals together 

Build Alignment That Scales 

At Charles IT, we help businesses align their technology with their long-term goals. Whether you're navigating a leadership transition or building a growth plan, our team is here to guide your IT strategy with clarity, collaboration, and confidence. 

👉 Ready to align IT with your future plans?