Arnie Wetherill — January 2015 Member Spotlight
How did you get into business relationship management?
I work in a large IT Infrastructure & Operations (I&O) organization that transformed from a technology, silo-based structure to a service-focused structure about two years ago. As part of the reorganization, we incorporated a new role of business relationship manager into our organization. Based on my communications skills and prior background experience in IT consulting, I was asked build a team of BRMs.
Sometimes timing is everything. While searching for best practices for setting up a BRM organization, I discovered the newly formed BRM Institute and immediately tapped into their expertise, became a founding member and attended their first BRMP training class. Through BRM Institute, I have expanded my skills and knowledge, as well as built close ties with BRM colleagues throughout world.
What do you love most about business relationship management?
I always love to be challenged, so the aspect I like most is the dynamics of the role. Every day is a different challenge. Competitive pressure in the industry drives the need to constantly innovate, which drives the need for daily collaboration with our business partners on opportunities, priorities, urgency and limitations. Understanding and adapting to changing business needs is essential to our success as business. It keeps us focused and engaged, while deepening our relationships. That’s what gets me out of bed on cold, winter mornings.
Where do you draw inspiration from, for work?
I’m inspired by progress – seeing the vision and goals of our organization converted into tangible accomplishments that make us more competitive in the industry. Since the BRM role is to provide a bridge between IT and business partner priorities and strategies, it requires us to constantly measure local needs, priorities and actions against enterprise goals to ensure alignment. To achieve this, we have to draw upon the efforts of resources we don’t control, influence their perceptions and gain their buy-in as partners crossing organizational boundaries.
What has the BRM capability done for your organization in terms of business value?
Almost two years into our BRM implementation, we continue to mature in our role, evolving from a more tactical role during the credibility-building stages to an ever-increasing strategic level. In our current state of maturity, I feel the greatest value we’ve achieved is in bringing together our I&O planners with business partner planners in regularly scheduled joint planning sessions.
This gives us insight into the drivers and strategies of both sides of the equation (demand and supply), provides us an enterprise perspective and allows us to adjust our respective roadmaps to facilitate and optimize our ability to deliver innovative business solutions in a timely and quality manner. We now enjoy a more collaborative relationship, moving us closer to our aspired goal of becoming a strategic partner with our business partners.
What do you value most about your BRM Institute membership?
The BRM Institute membership provides a wealth of tools, information, webinar training and reference materials that we draw upon for our continued maturity, but what is most valuable to me is access to the collegial BRM community. Through my BRM Institute membership, I have met professionals from around the world who share my passion for the role and who share common challenges in their organizations.
Members frequently reach out through the BRM Institute Online Campus to tap into others’ knowledge, real-world experience and best practices. This allows us all to accelerate our growth and development of our capabilities, while contributing to the advancement of the BRM discipline as a business-critical role.
When you’re not working, what do you like to do?
Outside of work, I like to recharge my batteries by trail running, bicycling, or motorcycle touring. For intellectual stimulation, I take in some of my favorite Cleveland cultural activities, such as the Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland Symphony Orchestra, and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.