In today's work environment, the technology professional is being asked to interact more with the end user. IT is no longer behind the scenes. Instead, you will be front and center with the user of your products. As a result, IT staffers will need to have credibility with those individuals. To establish credibility, you will need to increase your understanding of the business from the users' perspective and develop technology solutions that focus on issues that are impacting them. While you may never have the depth of domain knowledge of your customers, your efforts to understand their needs will be expected and appreciated.

-- Bill Gilbert is managing director at Futurestep, Korn/Ferry International's recruitment outsourcing subsidiary, and is based in Atlanta. He can be reached at bill. gilbert@futurestep.com.