Resident Geek: Technology Evangelism
Today’s Technology Positions of Tomorrow – Part Two: Resident Geek
This is the second article in a series about emerging positions in technology, which explores the philosophies behind the creation of these positions, how they inform our futures, and practical ways their principles can be executed in any organization to better position it for the future. The first article was Content Strategy: the Art of Engaging the User.
Simon Law is the Resident Geek at a social enterprise known as The S.W.A.P. Team, a non-profit that organizes massive clothing swaps throughout the world. Fresh off a stint at Akoha, a social networking site based around encouraging people to participate in random acts of positive fun, where he served as their Drunken Master, Simon is no stranger to either social causes or arbitrary job titles. Last week I sat down with him over lunch at L’Avenue Restaurant in Montreal’s posh Plateau, where his latest venture is located, to talk about what a Resident Geek really is and how our generation is turning this field from a charitable hobby into a lucrative blue ocean for technologists.
“A bit like a technical co-founder in the startup world”
As a Resident Geek, Simon describes his main responsibilities as “assisting in the development and maintenance of software, exploration of new strategic opportunities in technology, and being a strong technical resource for partners.” In an organization with little technological resources, a Resident Geek is essentially the go-to person to discover, validate, and execute technologies. At a non-profit like The S.W.A.P. Team, its primary technologies include the venture’s website and other marketing, as well as ways of organizing, assisting, and coordinating the chapters, its volunteers, and their events across the world.
“Resident Geek in and of itself is not a job title, anyone can put that on their business card. It’s the role of someone who is there looking at technology at any small company that is not technology focused.”
“Technology lets you scale, regardless of the industry.”
As technology continues to make itself easier and more accessible, industries and organizations that are traditionally less technologically focused are beginning to feel more and more comfortable with it. We saw how quickly social media penetrated all sectors due to the same principle, and trends like the explosion of web-based and mobile applications will continue to evolve other business practices in new and exciting ways. The blue ocean for tech people, much like Simon did in the non-profit sector, is to create positions for themselves in these less technologically focused sectors by designing and evangelizing technology strategies that can bring them tremendous value. (Personally, I’m interested in doing something of this nature in the arts sector and would love to hear ideas or passions from those out there who feel the same.)
“Non-profits and technical people often don’t get matched up.”
“Maybe they don’t go to the same events, but people who do technical work for non-profits are rare. It’s surprising because a lot of people who do technical work have great paying jobs so they can afford to do it, but they typically are working in places like for-profit startups where they have little free time. It’s quite rare to get someone who is technically savvy, savvy enough to develop software.” At Style and Conscience, an online boutique associated with The S.W.A.P. Team, Simon developed heavily on top of an e-commerce platform in order to create the site. “That kind of thing would cost a non-profit lots of money if they had to actually hire an agency to do it.”
“Technology to Change the World.”
Both Simon’s and The S.W.A.P. Team’s founder Aleece Germano’s technical backgrounds have significantly facilitated their successful launch and growth. And although Simon has developed software as part of certain technical strategies, the majority of the technology they use is relatively simple: things like Google applications, social media, and a well-functioning website to make them appear like a much larger organization.
“This stuff is well tread, but we were fortunate enough to be able to execute it as a non-profit better than a lot of other non-profits have.”
Proper technical strategy and execution can significantly reduce your needed amount of labour hours. While they have definitely put in their share of long hours when big events are on the horizon or major developments are underway, in this case, a well executed non-profit by a team of technically savvy people with the right skills requires only a few hours a week to keep up and running properly.
“It’s all about bandwidth.”
The best skills that anyone with a role like Simon’s can cultivate are speed reading and public speaking, each of which serve to increase either inbound or outbound bandwidth.
Inbound: “If you cannot read fast, you’re sunk. The world is moving at such a rapid pace. Being the only geek in an organization means that you have to keep up with not just the new projects you are doing now, but also what new things are on the horizon.”
Outbound: “It’s about being able to communicate clearly and effectively with the other people in your organization who may not actually understand the impact of what you’re proposing, that the amount of investment here is correct and that you are going to see the benefits; a lot of technical people just can’t.”
Pragmatism and flexibility are the other keys to surviving in an organization where you are the tech guru, as you will have strong pull on the organization’s strategic planning. “We don’t waste time on things. Never force technology when it’s not needed.”
“Technology is not the end result.”
“Technology is really a trigger, in my mind, for societal change. All the projects I like doing these days are about more than just building technology for technology’s sake. I saw a lot of potential in Akoha, because it wasn’t just technology for the sake of technology, it was really because there was a human aspect behind it.” The S.W.A.P. Team also provides a strong dose of societal change by reducing consumption, alleviating financial burdens, and allowing people to participate in new experiences throughout its worldwide large-scale clothing swaps.
“I am super thrilled about the Montreal tech scene!”
It’s a wonder more technical people have not ventured out into these less technically focused industries with their own positions and ideas, given the strong need for their services, the trends making it financially appealing, and the easier lifestyle one can create for themselves if they are able to design their strategy properly. The non-profit sector, for example, also has the associated fulfillment that comes from contributing your time to advancing a cause about which you care deeply. Part of the apprehension is that there are not many job titles and positions for this yet. “You have to start creating your job. But it’s not that hard,” says Simon. Kirsten Weisenburger, the Content Strategist from my last interview, talked about the resilience of the Montreal spirit in that people here are more okay losing their jobs, because they truly see it as an opportunity to do something new, something they’ve always been waiting to do. Whether or not you are currently out of work, the time is ripe to use your technological savvy and design a new position for yourself in whichever environment you care most about. Montreal has clearly risen to this exciting new challenge, and I am eager to see what else is going in this space.
My name is Christopher Pineda and I am determined to change the world. I am a part-time consultant for Embrase Business Consulting and a full-time knowledge sponge. I want to identify the bigger pictures and find the truth in our society, because it’s the only way to understand the human spirit and innovate business into something that truly addresses what we need. Now welcoming suggestions.
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- Helge Seetzen Launches a Unique Incubator for University Technology Transfer
- An Introductory Guide to Technology Transfer
- Baton Simulations Proves that University Transfer Works for Business Technology
