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Peer-to-Peer Mentoring
Internal programs ensure that professionals at every level continue to grow in their areas of
service. Despite their positions, even senior level professionals have the ability to refine their
skills and grow through communities of practice. At Indigo IT, our SDA program encourages
higher-level professionals to act as mentors to novice employees and challenge them to excel in
their areas of expertise. For example, our “Dean of Cyber Security,” Senior Solutions Architect,
Norm Frazier, acts as the head resource to ensure each employee is readily certified, educated,
and prepared for the most critical attacks. Internal programs have the power to bring entire
companies together to ensure that clients are getting the most forward-thinking solutions.

Client-Employee Relationship Development
Though a service professional may be quite skilled in implementing technical solutions,
employees who communicate and build relationships with clients are often times a company’s
greatest asset. Through these initiatives, employees can learn how to better communicate with
their clients and by doing so, increase the value of their services. Professional development
programs that help employees fine tune their communication skills not only bridge the gap
between customers and their service providers, but also lead to greater enterprise collaboration
and an increase in client retention.

Employee Retention Initiatives
Employees want to feel comfortable, yet challenged in their place of work. When a company
fulfills an employee’s needs, the direct correlation between employee growth and company
growth becomes evident. These programs should demonstrate a level of commitment and
encouragement from the leadership team to allow each employee to feel valued. For instance,
when a company is learning new initiatives together, it creates a cohesive and inspiring work
environment for all. Through professional development programs, employees are able to view
their company as more than just a workplace and achieve their full potential.

About the Author
Robert “Rob” Craig is an Executive Vice President and Co-Founder of Indigo IT.
He has 25 years of experience in consulting and managing business processes
and systems. His passion is developing an excitement among the Indigo IT staff
to achieve personal mastery in their areas of specialty and welcome all
professional challenges. Rob has a Master’s in Business Administration (MBA)
from the Robert H. Smith School of Business at the University of Maryland and a
Bachelor’s of Science from the United States Military Academy at West Point.
Indigo IT is a woman-owned small business and received the Small Business Administration
(SBA) 2014 National Prime Contractor of the Year Award for its work supporting the Defense
Information Systems Agency (DISA).

43 Cyber Warnings E-Magazine – March 2015 Edition
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