Due to globalization and increased competition, allocation ofcapital resource will continue to become more and more efficient. Inthis heightened competition for the valuable resources the allocationwill go to the individuals or divisions that can articulate theirvision to the top management. As the article notes, it is veryimportant that those innovations need to be aligned with BusinessStrategy. Technologists need to answer questions - how will theirinnovation create or enhance competitive moat for the organizations sothat they can be ahead of competition. They also need to compute andhighlight the return on that precious capital. They need todemonstrate how that return on capital is higher than investing otherdivisions (like marketing). Not only that the R&D department needsto negotiate and influence other departments on how they can help boththe top line growth and savings to the bottom line.

I think it’s very important for the technology specialist likesoftware engineers to develop and enhance their ‘soft skills’ likeverbal communicating skill, listening skill, negotiation skill,presentation skills etc. I am not suggesting that these new skills cancircumvent lack of technical skills, but what I am suggesting that the‘soft skills’ will help buttress technical leadership skill. It’s nolonger given that companies will continue to invest in its R&D andTechnologists need to become savvy and pitch in aggressively to getproper share of capital allotment.

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