In "Escalation IT: If it's not extreme, we're not interested!", Karolina and Daniel Hilling-Smith, veterans of tech giants like Bloomberg and SAP, deliver a hilarious and brutally honest survival guide for IT professionals. Forget polished manuals; this is a battlefield playbook drawn from the trenches. Prepare for raw war stories, battle-tested strategies that defy "best practices," and career-saving tactics that would impress Machiavelli. From the 4:59 PM Friday "URGENT!!!" emails to the chaos of Microsoft's "Reply All," this book exposes the unfiltered realities of corporate tech. It's your emergency escape plan, complete with IT-grade sarcasm and enough dark humor to make your compliance officer flee. Get ready to develop uncontrollable confidence and the ability to calmly explain why "quick fixes" are a myth.

Review Escalation IT
"Escalation IT: If it’s not extreme, we’re not interested!" is not your typical dry, corporate how-to manual. It's a hilarious, insightful, and ultimately empowering rollercoaster ride through the chaotic world of IT, told with the kind of raw honesty you only find from those who've been in the trenches. Karolina and Daniel Hilling-Smith have crafted a book that's as relatable as it is entertaining, pulling back the curtain on the often-absurd realities of working in tech for giants like Bloomberg and PayPal.
What immediately struck me was the authors' ability to capture the sheer absurdity of many IT situations. From those dreaded 4:59 PM Friday "URGENT!!!" emails to the epic levels of chaos unleashed by a seemingly innocent "Reply All," the book is peppered with anecdotes that will resonate deeply with anyone who’s ever wrestled with malfunctioning systems, unresponsive leadership, or the ever-present threat of impending doom. I found myself constantly chuckling, often because the scenarios described were eerily familiar – moments of sheer panic, creative problem-solving under pressure, and the occasional (okay, frequent) descent into darkly comedic despair.
But "Escalation IT" is far more than just a collection of amusing war stories. It’s a practical survival guide, offering battle-tested strategies and career-saving tactics that transcend the specific realm of IT. The authors cleverly weave in underlying principles of effective communication, strategic planning, and even a touch of Machiavellian cunning, all while maintaining a light and engaging tone. The advice they provide isn't theoretical; it’s born from real-world experience, forged in the fires of countless crises. Each anecdote serves as a case study, demonstrating not only the problem but also the often-ingenious solutions employed to navigate it. Reading their accounts, you get a masterclass in navigating corporate politics, managing expectations, and ultimately, getting things done even when the odds seem stacked against you.
The book’s strength lies in its honest portrayal of the challenges faced by IT professionals. It doesn't shy away from the frustrations, the late nights, or the moments when even the most experienced technicians feel utterly overwhelmed. Instead, it embraces these realities, using humor to defuse the tension and provide a sense of camaraderie. It's a book that will make you feel seen, understood, and ultimately, better equipped to handle the inevitable chaos that comes with working in a fast-paced, high-stakes environment. Whether you're a seasoned IT veteran or just starting your career, "Escalation IT" is a must-read. It's a reminder that even amidst the most frantic situations, there's always room for laughter, ingenuity, and a healthy dose of strategic maneuvering. Prepare for a good laugh, a renewed sense of resilience, and a whole lot of practical wisdom.
Information
- Dimensions: 5.5 x 0.68 x 8.5 inches
- Language: English
- Print length: 298
- Publication date: 2024
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