#IAmBRM: Jim Brusnahan
Today we’re sitting down with Jim Brusnahan, one of the top BRMs of 2018, to learn more about his passion for BRM, his journey, and how he’s overcome some of the challenges he’s faced converging BRM and IT.
Currently, Jim is the Director – IT Business Partner for Johnson Controls Incorporated (JCI) global manufacturing excellence team. His role entails owning the strategic partner relationship and technology value creation for the global leader of manufacturing excellence. His current key focus is creating a new strategic initiative “Manufacturing 4.0”. He describes this as launching digital technologies to unlock previously unattainable levels or performance and value creation within the Johnson Controls Manufacturing System (JCMS).
Jim leads the strategic interface between the BRM’s function and business leaders to stimulate, surface, and shape business demand; ensuring that the potential business value from those assets and capabilities is captured, realized, optimized, and recognized.
Today, the most successful organizations converge business functions—such as IT, HR, and finance—through a BRM capability. Jim understands this and shares that one of his biggest hurdles is guiding leaders, teams, and even peers to understand the value and role of BRM (especially within IT).
Since, we hear this sentiment from other BRMs across the globe, we asked Jim what tools have been the most valuable in helping him overcome this challenge and we couldn’t agree more with his advice to attend a World BRMConnect Conference! While attending, he realized that he wasn’t alone and he gained some of the best advice from leading BRMs in his field. The following are some of Jim’s biggest takeaways from the World BRMConnect Conference:
- Practical experience sharing
- Networking
- Offsite strategic thinking on BRM
- Outside perspectives to improve BRM
While BRMs come from all areas of business, the BRM role requires a specific set of skills that must be continuously honed for everyone. These include strong communication, strategic thinking, and influential relationship building. Sometimes you have to take a break from the “work” of your work to sharpen your skills. A dull axe won’t cut a tree nearly as effectively as a sharp one.
This year’s theme for our World BRMConnect Conference is #IAmBRM. BRMConnect is our favorite event of the year and is the absolute best opportunity for you to network with great leaders like Jim. You will return from this conference with new ideas and approaches that make you more effective and efficient in your career. You will find a unique convergence of learning, and fun in a single experience. A good conference forces you to grow and challenge yourself.
We asked Jim, as a senior-level, strategic business partner sharing ownership for both business strategy and business value results: “What exactly does “I Am BRM” mean to you”?
Jim goes on to state that of all of the Professional Membership benefits, he especially values the ever-growing BRM relationships. He states, “…to have friends in allies in helping each other succeed and learn as a BRM.”
Consume yourself with the energy of like-minded individuals. Attending this conference gives you the ideal opportunity to meet someone who has already influenced you, someone you admire, or offer you a connection that can lead to finding your next mentor. There’s nothing like being in a room of like-minded people. Other people who are willing to take time away from the office to learn something new. Other people who want to “better” themselves, like Jim.
The Experience
“I’m not sure I’ve been to many conferences where I struggled because there were simply too many good sessions to attend. Loved all the storytellers, and that goes for those who shared their stories with me in breaks and evening events. You simply cannot find better people, stronger content, and more inspiration for those on the journey to strategic partnership.”
“I quickly realized that my CIO needed to be in that room! The storytellers were one of the best elements of the conference, sharing their perspectives and answering questions regarding real-world application of BRM techniques/tools. The presenter’s feedback gave me the ability to return with a game plan for building the BRM role and capability, even within a challenging organizational culture.”
“The bulk of the storytellers were practicing BRMs, rather than the usual conference pattern of consultant/vendor presenters. Back in 2015, it was difficult to get BRMs to lead sessions—not so this year. While the consultant/ vendor presentations are polished and packed with useful information, there’s nothing like a conference for BRMs by BRMs!”
“I liked the diverse options of subjects to attend, interaction, and pragmatic approach to many of the topics. This wasn’t a place to come sit down and watch PowerPoint presentations; it was an engaging, relevant, and motivating discussion. I walked away with many ideas and new approaches to current situations, as well as new contacts who have experience in what we’re working on.”
The BRM Community & Networking
“All conferences promote networking, but BRMConnect delivered. Networking opportunities were available with industry colleagues, presenters, and BRM thought leaders. I had multiple conversations around organizational obstacles; all were eager to have the conversation. The conference was impactful to both my professional and our organizational growth.”
“The BRM is the only position that has the view from both sides of the fence, but is often isolating whilst attempting to reflect both business priorities and demands against the constraints and complexities of delivering technology needs. BRM Institute has provided a great space to develop strategic partnership, allowing a share of views and concepts with like-minded people.”
“I have benefited immensely from the BRMConnect Forums, Online Campus, and BRMConnect Conferences, which have all enhanced my knowledge and helped me connect with a network of global BRMs. The most gratifying aspect for me is the ability to give back in the form of mentor, leader, and fellow BRM practitioner and see this community grow. Proud to be a part of the global BRM community!”
“I greatly enjoy working with my BRM Institute peers through the BRM Council to learn and contribute to the betterment of the BRM practice. I have also enjoyed meeting everyone in this wonderful community, whether in person, on the phone, or through the Online Campus. I look forward to continuing my journey with the great BRM Institute community. Thank you!”
