Many IT leaders seek solutions to intractable problems and want a partner to give them a straightforward, pragmatic, and honest set of recommendations.
IT leaders respect partners who deliver on their commitments and understand that success must be mutual.
– Randy Franklin, SVP of Operations, Ntirety
Ntirety recently welcomed Randy Franklin as our Senior Vice President of Operations. Randy brings over 24 years of experience in customer-facing IT service solutions, and a fresh perspective to our operations team.
Randy will play an instrumental role in supporting the onboarding and evolving needs of our customers, serving as their principal advocate, and seeking ways to improve the clients’ experience with Ntirety services.
We sat down with Randy to discuss the experiences that led him to Ntirety, along with his insights on the IT industry today, and his plans to drive operational excellence.
How did you get into technology and what drew you to it?
I think it occurred naturally as I have always been drawn to technical products and services and have always had a service-oriented mindset. I draw a lot of enjoyment from helping people use technology to make things easier for themselves.
What experiences from your previous roles are you excited to bring to Ntirety?
I am fortunate that I have had a wide array of experiences. I have spent many nights and weekends on-call and working high-stakes maintenance windows in data centers. I have worked alongside sales teams, building confidence in prospective clients that we can deliver on their expectations. I have led large client service teams at several managed services providers, creating empathy between the teams to stretch and deliver scalable and supportable solutions. I have held the CIO role in a large enterprise, where I was responsible for the internal IT infrastructure, security, and enterprise applications that support thousands of employees while brokering the needs of multiple internal stakeholders with competing pressures. I have also been a Sales Executive, carrying a quota and expected to find and secure new revenue. These experiences provided a 3-D view of the client journey, helping internal teams, clients, and business stakeholders find success in multifaceted relationships.
What motivates or inspires you as a leader in this field?
I want to help others achieve their goals. I am happy when I can deliver a solution for another person or help them through a challenge. I have always felt that the most impactful thing you can do is help others achieve their goals and learn how to overcome challenges.
What are some of the primary challenges facing IT leaders today?
Many IT leaders seek solutions to intractable problems and want a partner to give them a straightforward, pragmatic, and honest set of recommendations. IT leaders respect partners who deliver on their commitments and understand that success must be mutual.
What are some trends in the IT industry you’re noticing?
More and more services are moving to consumption-based models. This is great because individuals and companies pay less for access to technology (like per-seat licenses) and more for outcomes that deliver meaningful value. This shift will raise the bar for all providers while reducing costs and increasing consumer service quality.
Do you have any advice for organizations that are resource constrained and trying to do more with less?
Before investing in technology, review the functions and processes to see where activities can be streamlined or even eliminated. There is a constant push to automate everything. Automation will likely deliver faster results if you master the manual method first.
What are some proactive measures that any organization can take to withstand and recover from cyberattacks?
Limit the amount of information you collect and retain. Invest in a robust identity provider, like Azure Active Directory, and integrate it into as many of your technologies as possible, then enable multifactor authentication.
What do you do to recharge and stay inspired when you’re not working?
I enjoy reading, going on very long hikes, and camping. I especially like my Peloton bike and meditation.
What are you looking forward to most about this role?
I am most excited about the fact that Ntirety is a truly differentiated service provider. With our unique combination of Data, Security, and Compliance services, which can be delivered on any infrastructure, we can ensure success for nearly any business.
Randy’s appointment coincides with the broader expansion of our leadership team, reflecting Ntirety’s plans for innovation and accelerated growth. His expertise and leadership will play a pivotal role in helping Ntirety continue to deliver exceptional service and serve the evolving needs of our customers.