The IT Business Partner Playbook Podcast

In this episode of The IT Business Partner Playbook, I’m joined by Jay – a seasoned IT professional whose career path has taken him from typewriter repairs to enterprise-level strategy.

Jay brings deep insight into the evolving role of Business Relationship Management and the reality of embedding value practices inside complex organizations.

🔹 From Tech Troubleshooter to Strategic Partner

Jay shared his unconventional start in IT and how it shaped his approach to partnership, empathy, and communication. His transition into a Business Relationship Manager role was both opportunistic and intentional – and filled with practical lessons for anyone making the leap from operations to strategy.

🔹 Standing Up a BRM Function

We explored how Jay helped develop the BRM capability – with early support from the CIO and inspiration from the BRM Institute. Over time, they built their own frameworks, overcame resistance, and positioned themselves to influence innovation initiatives across the business.

🔹 Balancing IT and Business Relationships

Jay stressed the importance of staying close to both camps – business and IT. We discussed how credibility with delivery teams is often overlooked, and why BRMs and Business Partners must act as interpreters and translators, not just connectors.

🔹 Owning Value, Not Projects

Jay reflected on the need to rationalise demand early – starting with business intent and outcomes before bringing in technical teams. While BRMs don't manage projects, they do own the value – and play a critical role in protecting organizational resources.

🔹 Getting Business to Step Up

One key takeaway: technology projects fail when business ownership is missing. Jay and I spoke about how critical it is to involve stakeholders from the start, and how demand shaping and scope control are essential for long-term success.

🔹 From Tactical Wins to Strategic Influence

Jay shared how BRM success starts at the tactical level – solving real problems, building trust – and evolves into strategic collaboration once credibility is earned.

🔹 Mentorship and BRM Confidence

Jay also spoke passionately about mentoring emerging professionals, and how confidence, clarity, and a good elevator pitch can set a new BRM on the right track.

This episode is packed with practical insight – especially for Business Partners working to earn trust, build credibility, and move their organizations from firefighting to forward-thinking.

My thanks to Jay for joining me and sharing so openly in this conversation. You can find his linked in here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/j-benoit-brm/

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The IT Business Partner Playbook Podcast

🎙️ “From Lawless to Strategic: Redefining the BRM Role with Dr. Shellie”

In this compelling episode of The IT Business Partner Playbook, I’m joined by Dr. Shellie Bowman, a thoughtful and experienced Business Relationship Manager whose career has spanned public leadership, program management, and business transformation.

Together, we explore what it means to truly understand the BRM role - and how to navigate the “lawless” spaces many of us find ourselves in when the path isn’t clearly defined.

🔹 Discovering the BRM Role

Shellie shared how he was already doing the work of a BRM long before holding the title - and why the title itself finally felt like “home.”

🔹 Building Credibility in Unfamiliar Territory

From gaining stakeholder trust to navigating IT politics, Shellie reflected on what it takes to sell the BRM value internally - and how certifications, while not perfect, can provide structure and credibility.

🔹 Failing Successfully & Financial Strategy

One of the standout moments: how Shellie worked with a CTO to cut running costs, boosting profits by almost 2% - and how that strategic win raised the profile of the BRM team.

🔹 Resilience, Thick Skin & Culture Change

We talked about the personal side of BRM work - why confidence, clarity, and relationship-building matter as much as frameworks and KPIs.

🔹 Strategy on a Page & Roadshows

Shellie shared practical tools like his “strategy on a page” approach, and how BRM leaders can run roadshows to evangelize their mission, align teams, and build community.

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🎙️ The IT Business Partner Playbook — Episode 19 with Sahil

From Scientist to Strategic BRM: A Journey of Value and Vision

In this energizing episode, I sit down with Sahil, a former diagnostics scientist turned IT Business Partner, who shares how blending science, technology, and business helped him transform from a tactical problem-solver into a strategic advisor.

Sahil’s journey offers a practical and inspiring look at how modern BRMs can earn trust, drive strategy, and connect people across the enterprise.

1️⃣ The Career Shift

Sahil walks us through his unexpected transition from the science lab to enterprise IT. What started as a passion for tech-enabled healthcare evolved into a full-fledged BRM career - proving that curiosity and a business mindset can open powerful doors.

2️⃣ BRM as a Strategic Connector

From working across regions and functions to scouting emerging technologies like AI, Sahil describes how BRMs can break silos and create alignment. His role isn’t just about translating - it’s about initiating, connecting, and driving innovation.

3️⃣ The Role of Trust

Before BRMs can influence strategy, they must first deliver tactical value. Sahil emphasizes how trust is earned incrementally: by showing up, solving real problems, and building credibility - especially in matrixed or decentralized organizations.

4️⃣ Structures That Work

Sahil shares how he balances stakeholder engagement, tech exploration, and relationship building - using his own time management framework. He also explains how organizations with strong PMOs and portfolio governance can amplify BRM impact without redundancy.

5️⃣ People Before Process

Throughout the episode, Sahil returns to a central theme: relationships come first. The best strategies fail without human connection. BRMs, he argues, must master the emotional and cultural dynamics that drive adoption, collaboration, and long-term value.

✨ Whether you’re new to the BRM role or charting your path toward CIO-level influence, Sahil’s perspective is grounded, practical, and motivating.

Which part hit home for you? Drop your thoughts below or message me if you’d like to share your own BRM journey on the podcast.

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