Building Industry Partnerships!
In the modern business world, technology is not just a tool but a strategic enabler for growth and success. However, driving the vast array of IT solutions and maximizing their potential can be frightening. This is where IT consulting and IT services step in. IT consulting provides expert guidance, helping businesses align their technology strategies with their overall objectives. Meanwhile, IT services ensure the smooth implementation and integration of these strategies, optimizing efficiency and performance. Together, they form a crucial partnership, empowering businesses to harness the full power of technology and stay ahead in today’s competitive market.
Amidst this environment where industries demand leaders not only navigate change but also pioneer it, Matt Tyler stands as a figure whose career epitomizes the fusion of hands-on experience with strategic foresight. As a VP of Strategic Innovation and Business Development, his journey from the trenches of fieldwork to strategic innovation and business development is a testament to the transformative power of experience and adaptability within the business solution industry.
At the heart of this narrative lies Wachter, Inc., a cornerstone in the realm of integrated solutions. Through a dedication to partnership and a commitment to understanding the complex tapestry of technological evolution, Wachter has carved a niche for itself. It is within this framework that Matt’s vision finds resonance, weaving together innovation, collaboration, and a relentless pursuit of excellence to redefine industry standards.
Learn more about how Matt emerges as a symbol of transformation with his strategic and innovative leadership:
The Path from Fieldwork to Executive Leadership
Matt’s career began in the practical world of trade. At just 14 years old, he juggled school with working for an electrical contractor, starting by loading trucks and organizing the warehouse, learning what parts make up electrical systems. This hands-on experience evolved into fieldwork and, eventually, an electrical apprenticeship. His openness to travel and new challenges led him to work on extensive projects for some of the world’s largest retailers, constructing multimillion-square-foot distribution centers.
As he progressed to the role of Field Project Manager, he managed comprehensive scopes of work, including power distribution for conveyance systems, forklift charging, UPS power for critical IT systems, infrastructure cabling, and video surveillance systems. On many of these projects, he was also tasked with configuring Cisco switches and wireless access points, a responsibility that spurred him to earn several Cisco network certifications and other IT accreditations.
His career trajectory continued to ascend as he began working with a more diverse array of clients, including privatized prisons and industrial paper and pulp manufacturers. In the role of Account Executive, he focused on integrating new technology to meet unique customer challenges, which naturally led to his position as Director of IoT. In this capacity, he spearheaded the formalization of Wachter’s physical security practice and expanded their expertise into sensors and comprehensive IT/OT solutions.
Building on this momentum, he advanced to become the Vice President of Innovation and Business Development. In this role, he provides strategic guidance on regulations and industry trends while leading a team of experts dedicated to devising and implementing innovative solutions for both new and existing clients. His journey from the ground up has been essential to his success, embedding a foundational understanding of the field that continues to inform his strategic vision and leadership.
Innovation in the Face of Complexity
Matt never precisely envisioned the specific roles he would occupy or the industry he would ultimately serve. Intriguingly, the last four titles he has held were newly created positions, underscoring the innovative path his career has taken. His drive has always been fueled by a strong work ethic, an insatiable curiosity, and a desire to deepen his understanding of how the world operates.
His journey into strategic innovation and business development, particularly within the construction industry, was shaped significantly by the opportunities that came his way. He has been extremely fortunate to work with clients who presented complex challenges in need of innovative solutions.
This, combined with robust support to address these challenges, allowed him to forge a niche in strategically advancing business practices and pioneering new developments in the field. This alignment of external needs with his internal drive catalyzed his specialization in this area, turning his professional journey into one marked by continual learning and solution-oriented innovation.
The Art of Nurturing Strategic Partnerships
Managing relationships and partnerships with key vendors and stakeholders is not just a part of Matt’s business; it is the essence of it. Since his team does not manufacture hardware or develop software, their role pivots crucially on collaborating with leading brands to deliver comprehensive, integrated solutions. This strategic approach underscores the importance of these partnerships in their business model.
Building and nurturing these relationships starts with a deep understanding of the technology landscape, allowing them to discern viable and practical solutions from mere industry buzz (often called vaporware). This discernment is critical in establishing their credibility and demonstrating their value to customers, as it ensures they recommend and implement technologies that are not only innovative but also practical and reliable.
Matt emphasizes regular communication, transparency, and mutual respect with all their partners and stakeholders to foster strong relationships. He makes it a point to keep abreast of their latest developments and strategic directions, ensuring their collaborations are relevant and forward-thinking. Furthermore, he believes in the power of face-to-face interactions and personalized contact, which help build trust and understanding.
His team also invests in their partnerships by participating in joint training sessions, attending industry events, and sharing insights that may benefit both parties. This ongoing engagement is vital for keeping the relationships dynamic and responsive to changing market conditions.
In essence, their approach to building and nurturing relationships is proactive and deeply integrated into their operational ethos. It is through these strong partnerships that they can consistently deliver superior solutions and maintain their leadership in the market.
From Tech Jargon to Business Needs
Serving on the Intel Channel Board of Advisors, specifically the IoT board, significantly shaped Matt’s perspective on several key aspects of the technology industry, particularly regarding innovation, collaboration, and customer engagement.
Firstly, his experience highlighted the rapid pace at which technology evolves and the often-slower speed at which enterprise customers integrate these innovations into their operations. This discrepancy can create challenges for businesses trying to stay current with the latest developments. As part of the board, he gained a deeper understanding of this dynamic, allowing him to anticipate and address the hesitation that might arise from enterprise customers when confronted with adopting new technologies.
Secondly, the role provided invaluable insights into the communication strategies employed by software and hardware manufacturers. By interacting with a wide range of industry leaders and technology developers, he learned the specialized language they use to market their products. This exposure was crucial in developing his ability to act as an interpreter for his customers, translating complex technical jargon and concepts into accessible, relevant information that aligns with their business needs.
Moreover, the board’s experience underscored the importance of understanding different vendors’ distinct technical languages and acronyms as they develop and promote their solutions. Each vendor often has its own set of terminologies and approaches, which can vary significantly from the language used by customers. By being exposed to all these different facets, he was able to speak multiple “languages,” effectively bridging the gap between various stakeholders in the technology ecosystem.
This skill has proven essential in fostering better communication and understanding between vendors and customers, facilitating smoother collaborations and more successful technology implementations.
Matt’s appointment to The Channel Co. IoT advisory board underscores his expertise and leadership in the field, positioning him as a key influencer in shaping the future of IoT technology.
Utilizing Resources for Technological Updates
Matt employs strategies that leverage both traditional and personal approaches to stay updated with the latest technologies and industry trends. While he certainly utilizes publications, trade shows, and industry groups, which are foundational resources, he has increasingly come to rely on distributors and aggregators. These resources are invaluable as they provide alerts about new and viable technologies that align with their strategic goals. They help filter the vast amount of information available, allowing him to focus on what is most relevant and promising.
However, cultivating and maintaining personal relationships is the most crucial strategy for staying informed and ahead in the field. The insights gained from ongoing interactions with colleagues he’s worked with in the past, new contacts he meets in the industry, and emerging technologists are irreplaceable. These relationships provide a wealth of real-time, experiential knowledge often not captured in formal publications or announcements. They offer unique perspectives and firsthand experiences with new technologies and trends.
This blend of professional resources and personal connections forms a comprehensive approach to staying informed and effectively navigating the fast-evolving landscape of their industry.
Cultivating a Culture of Collaboration and Creativity
Fostering a culture of collaboration and creativity within his team revolves around a few key principles: exploration, support, and managed risk-taking.
Matt and his team cultivate an environment where the team is encouraged to explore new ideas and present them confidently, knowing they have the full support of their colleagues. This sense of mutual trust and support is crucial, not only for internal dynamics but also for how their customers perceive them. When customers see that their team is knowledgeable and supported by each other, it instills confidence that they are in capable hands.
To further encourage innovation, they actively promote managed risk-taking. This approach allows team members to experiment with creative solutions to problems, adding extra value for their customers. They understand that innovation involves risks, but they mitigate these through the strength and expertise of their team. By having some of the best talents in the industry, they ensure that their solutions are not only innovative but also cost-effective and of world-class quality.
Overall, their team culture is designed to empower each member, fostering an atmosphere where creativity and collaboration lead to superior outcomes for their customers.
Maintaining Trust through Consistent Value Delivery
Balancing the need for innovation with the delivery of reliable solutions to his customers is a critical aspect of his team’s approach. Matt is privileged to have significant resources that enable his team to thoroughly test new technologies in their own labs before they consider deploying them in their customers’ environments. This process includes investing in a dedicated team of hardware and software engineers who simulate real-world conditions to verify that manufacturers’ products perform as promised.
Furthermore, his team actively engages with their customers to understand their needs deeply. This engagement helps them determine whether an innovative solution is genuinely necessary or if an existing, proven “off-the-shelf” solution can effectively meet their requirements.
They believe that innovation for the sake of innovation is unnecessary if a reliable and tested technology can already solve the problem at hand.
This cautious yet forward-thinking approach ensures that while they remain at the forefront of technological advancements, they also prioritize the reliability and practicality of the solutions they provide to their customers. This balance is crucial for maintaining trust and delivering value consistently.
Transforming Construction with Advanced Data Capture
In his view, some of the most exciting opportunities for innovation within the construction industry in the coming years center around the integration of vision analytics, artificial intelligence (AI), and advanced data capture technologies. The advent of new sensing technologies is revolutionizing how data can be affordably collected and utilized in the construction sector. These technologies enable them to gather previously inaccessible data from various business processes.
By combining sensors and cameras with sophisticated analytics and AI-driven workflows, they can transform raw data into actionable insights. This capability allows them to enhance several critical areas: brand protection, customer satisfaction, employee safety, process efficiency, and overall profitability. The impact of these innovations is profound, as they not only improve operational outcomes but also significantly boost the accuracy of the data captured.
Furthermore, the cost of implementing these advanced systems has decreased while their accuracy and usability have improved. This shift has led to more widespread adoption and a positive feedback loop from customers who benefit directly from these enhancements. The construction industry stands on the brink of a transformative period, where the strategic application of technology creates substantial competitive advantages and drives forward the industry’s overall progress.
Fostering Autonomy and Collaboration in the Workplace
His team fosters an environment that encourages individual thinking and autonomy. Micromanagement is not part of their approach; instead, team members are empowered to work independently while also coming together to share their experiences, challenges, failures, and successes.
This combination of individual initiative and collaborative engagement unleashes the tremendous potential for creativity and innovation within the team. It allows each member to explore new business opportunities confidently, knowing they have the support and collective wisdom of the group to draw upon. This approach not only enhances personal development but also drives the entire team toward achieving exceptional results.
Guiding Principles for Leadership
As a leader, Matt gives the following advice to professionals aspiring to leadership roles in strategic innovation and business development:
- Emphasize Customer-Centric Thinking: Professionals should develop a deep understanding of their customers’ businesses beyond just the technical aspects. This means understanding the market dynamics, customer pain points, and specific industry challenges. Leaders in innovation need to think from their customers’ perspectives and anticipate their needs before they even articulate them.
- Maintain Curiosity and Continuous Learning: Curiosity drives innovation. Encouraging a culture of questioning and exploration within the team can lead to new insights and innovations. This involves staying updated with the latest industry trends, technologies, and business models. Continuous learning can come from various sources, such as professional courses, conferences, reading industry publications, and more.
- Safety, Efficiency, and Profitability: Any technological implementation should enhance at least one of these core business aspects without compromising the others. Leaders should prioritize solutions that provide clear benefits in terms of improving safety protocols, increasing operational efficiency, or boosting profitability. This requires a keen eye for identifying the right technology that fits the unique context of each customer.
- Collaborative Partnerships: Leadership in business development often involves acting as a bridge between technology and business needs. This role requires excellent interpersonal skills to manage relationships with various stakeholders and the ability to advocate for the customer’s needs while also pushing for innovative solutions. Building and maintaining strong, trust-based relationships with clients can lead to more tailored and impactful innovations.
- Strategic Risk Management: Innovators in business must also be adept at assessing and managing risks associated with new business developments and technological deployments. This includes evaluating the potential impacts of new technologies and innovations on current business operations and long-term strategic goals. Leaders should develop a methodical approach to balance risk and innovation.
- Holistic Understanding of Business Operations: Leaders should have a comprehensive understanding of how different parts of a business interconnect. This knowledge helps in designing solutions that are not only innovative but also integrative, ensuring that new technologies or strategies enhance overall business operations without causing disruptions.
- Adaptability and Flexibility: The business landscape is continuously evolving, and leaders must be able to adapt their strategies quickly in response to changes in the market or disruptive technologies. This agility allows a leader to seize opportunities and mitigate challenges more effectively.
- Effective Communication: Being able to clearly and persuasively communicate ideas, justify business investments, and explain technological complexities in simple terms is crucial. Leaders should be able to articulate the value of their proposals in both technical and business terms, aligning stakeholders with the vision.
In summary, aspiring leaders in strategic innovation and business development should focus on deeply understanding their customers’ business, maintain a curious and learning mindset, strategically manage risks, and ensure that their technological solutions directly contribute to safety, efficiency, and profitability. These elements, combined with strong interpersonal and communication skills, will prepare professionals to effectively lead and innovate in their respective fields.
