Week 1: Lay the Groundwork for Success

Your first week is about getting your bearings, meeting the right people, and setting the stage for everything that comes next. Think of it as planting seeds—you’re building the foundation for trust, understanding, and future success.

5 key things to do:

• Get to Know the Business:

Learn what the organization does, how it makes money, and what its biggest goals are.

Ask questions like: “What keeps the leadership up at night?” or “What’s the IT team most proud of?”

Read key documents like past audit reports, IT roadmaps, and risk assessments.

• Meet the Right People:

Introduce yourself to key players in IT, finance, operations, and compliance.

Build rapport with small, genuine conversations—ask about their work, challenges, and what you can do to support them.

• Understand the Tech Landscape:

Take note of critical systems, tools, and workflows.

Ask questions like: “Which systems are considered mission-critical?” or “Are there any ongoing IT projects?”

• Observe the Culture:

Watch how people interact: Is it formal or casual?

Are meetings structured or more free-flowing?

Adapt your communication style to fit in.

• Pick Up the Basics:

Where do you find the policies? How do you access systems?

Get the admin stuff out of the way early so you can focus on what matters.