One of the most difficult issues technologists face is explaining the need to replace legacy IT systems to business people. A major hurdle is that technologists and business people frequently speak different languages. Technologists often talk about the technology in far more technical terms than business people can understand or care about, while business people prefer to talk about gross margins, new revenue streams, innovation and expanding markets.

 

It's not a surprise that this occurs. After all, that's how each sees their world. But if communication is to take place between the two, then IT needs to learn how to talk and listen differently. Michael Schrage, author and a research fellow at MIT Sloan School's Center for Digital Business, blogged about his own consulting experience for Procter & Gamble at Harvard Business Review .