Team TKF09: Collaboration at it's Best

Some months back, Bob Cook asked me to take on the role of organizing TechKnowFile 2009. I admit that, in light of the current systems refresh project currently underway at Dentistry, I tried to politely decline under the usual excuse of not enough hours in the day. With his trademark characteristics of graceful persistence and persuasion, Bob talked me into it.

The choice was influenced by two factors. First, I truly believe that TKF is a great activity, because it invests in the most important asset in the university's IT portfolio: people. In past years, the conference has been blessed with excellent leadership with the likes of Debbie Stewart, Paul Ruppert, Graham Kemp, Ray DeSouza, Marden Paul and a number of others. I believe it is in our best interest to continue their legacy in the same spirit of stewardship with which it was built.

The second reason is obvious: Tamara Adizes. Bob was kind enough to offer Tamara's assistance with conference organization and, in a rare cogent moment, I recognized her brilliance and asked her to be my co-chair. If you do not know Tamara, you will. She bears watching and I look forward to enjoying her ascent.

As it happens, this was only the first of many instances of brilliance that started as pleasant surprises and became de rigeur as the conference drew closer. This team exercised all of the principles that anyone with a modicum of IT management experience will recognize as the elements of success: innovation, flexibility, commitment, passion, integrity... the list goes on. Point being: the attributes demonstrated in the microcosm by this team are the very same required to achieve greatness in the macrocosm of the IT community at large.

On that note, I give you Team TKF09:

• Tamara Adizes
• Andy Allen
• Catherine Baillie
• Luke Barber
• James Fiege
• Pamela Harris
• Narges Jalali-Kushki
• Terry Jones
• Yvonne MacNeil
• Greg Mount
• Paul Morrison
• Marden Paul
• Florin Salajan
• Kent Weaver

Beyond the core team, there was a large extended family involved in making this show happen. Of particular note, James Fiege and his media team did an excellent job of capturing, for the first time, most of the conference activities to be published on this very site. As usual, their effort is only surpassed by their passion.

From this experience I derive two main lessons:

1. Greatness comes from a combination of wisdom and passion
2. Fun is the oil that keeps the wheel of innovation turning

Thank you to everyone for making this a fun and effective conference.