IT Business Partner Playbook – Martin Crangle

𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑰𝑻 𝑩𝒖𝒔𝒊𝒏𝒆𝒔𝒔 𝑷𝒂𝒓𝒕𝒏𝒆𝒓 𝑷𝒍𝒂𝒚𝒃𝒐𝒐𝒌

Welcome to episode 4! Managing expectations, human connection and learning from great leaders.

This week on the podcast, I had the pleasure of speaking with Martin Crangle, a 30-year IT veteran who recently transitioned from an IT Business Relationship Manager (BRM) to an Operations Business Partner role. The conversation was laced with lessons on adaptability, relationship-building, and professional growth.

💡 Key Takeaways:

1️⃣ Adapting to Change
Martin shared how his technical expertise in IT—including roles in programming, project management, and business analysis—provided a strong foundation for his transition to BRM and, eventually, Operations.
He emphasised the importance of interpersonal skills in BRM roles and the value of resilience when stepping into unfamiliar territory.

2️⃣ Lessons from the BRM Role
– Setting Clear Boundaries: Ensuring escalation points are defined at the start of projects helps balance stakeholder needs and keep initiatives on track.
– Empathy & Communication: Martin highlighted regular check-ins with stakeholders as a key practice to maintain alignment and foster trust.
– Business-Led Projects: The role of IT is to enable, not lead, project delivery, ensuring business partners take ownership.

3️⃣ Volunteering as a Growth Tool
Martin’s involvement in activities like running a football team and volunteering at the SAP UK & Ireland User Group has sharpened his people skills. Martin believes strongly that volunteering provides opportunities to grow empathy, communication, and relationship-building skills essential for success in BRM roles.

4️⃣ Remote Work Challenges & Insights
Covid-19 transformed how we connect, making emotional intelligence and proactive communication more critical than ever. Martin shared strategies for maintaining camaraderie and navigating emotions in a hybrid work environment.

5️⃣ Career Lessons
Martin’s advice: “Enjoy the work and the people you work with—it makes all the difference.” His career journey underscored the significance of finding fulfilment in both professional relationships and team dynamics.

🌐 Looking ahead
We’re thrilled to continue showcasing inspiring professionals like Martin who are helping to shape their organisations, while positively contributing to society. If you’d like to share your story or insights on the podcast, we’d love to hear from you. As Martin says, “helping helps the helpers!”.

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💬 Join the Conversation
What tool, technique or practice has best supported your effectiveness as Business Partner?

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