In this Newsletter
- IT Employment Improves in May
- Social Networking Policy Needs to be Defined
- CIO's Role Has Changed
- IT Infrastructure Impacted by Technology Changes
- Security Policies and Procedures Compliant with Mandated Requirements
CIO's Role Has Changed
The CIO is now faced with new challenges - no longer just a technologist now a business partner
Business strategy and technology drive new direction
The role of the CIO and CTO is changing as more enterprises more towards a "Value Added" role for the Information Technology function (see detail job descriptions that have been created for all of the functions with IT -- especially for the CIO and CTO).
The job of overseeing technology at corporations is changing as fast as the technology itself. No longer is the chief information officer the “nerd-in-chief,” merely chasing after viruses and ordering new mouse pads. Now the CIO is finding ways to utilize hardware and software for strategic business purposes, such as discerning market opportunities and improving customer service. The high-tech tools of choice can include sophisticated data mining like social networking, and enhancements to the company website.
In today’s environment the CIO has to look at the enterprise and be able to apply technology as a strategic weapon. The forces that are driving the CIO are:
- Business systems management - Linking business context with mobile systems and other services
- Mobile Devices - Access to enterprise information from multiple disparate sources
- Project and portfolio management - Tracking multiple investment priorities and project performance against objectives, often short-term
- Vendor management - Automating functions such as contracting, evaluation, market analysis, contingency planning, and dispute resolution
- Integration - Orchestrating interactions across the company, including from cloud-source channels
- Security - Protecting corporate assets and meeting mandated compliance requirements
IT Employment Picture Continues to Improve in May
10,000 jobs added to IT sector or 18.5% of the total job growth for the month
For the 5th month in a row IT employment improves
The June 2011 BLS report shows an increase of 10,000 IT related jobs in May. The greatest increase, as a percentage, has been in jobs that are related to the IT support functions as companies are beginning to hire staff positions that were cut earlier in response to the recession. These jobs tend to be the "lower paying" ones within IT’s infrastructure.
The CEO of Janco, Victor Janulaitis said, “There definitely are some positive signs in the IT employment market. Companies are starting to fill positions that are open in support functions and where there are critical needs.” He added, “The flood gates have not yet been opened for general hiring as CIOs are still being cautious in keeping cost down while trying to improve overall service levels.”
Social Networking Policy Needs to be Defined
It is Time to Gain Control of Social Networks
Policy Template is the must have tool
Social networking is going corporate. The popular technology used by millions of people to share ideas and photos is catching on at companies to improve productivity and communication among workers. Private, internal social networks make sense as companies grapple with a slumping economy that has made travel cost-prohibitive even as workforces are spread out as never before.
Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and LinkedIn are all very popular social networking platforms. Most companies today have discovered many business advantages to using social networks as a critical tool for communicating and interacting with their customers, suppliers and employees. But with this convenience comes the difficult task of regulating usage and keeping employees productive with all the recreational temptation these platforms represent.
The Social Networking Policy Template is an ideal resource for any company that wants to establish or revise its policies pertaining to the use of most social networking platforms. It helps you define clear rules for contributing to company social networking initiatives and provides guidelines on usage of personal accounts while at work.
IT Infrastructure Impacted by Technology Changes
iPads and Tablets Challenge CIOs
As Users Acquire New Technologies Existing IT Infrastructure is Pushed to its Limits
With the explosion of technology into every facet of the day-to-day business environment there is a need to define an effective infrastructure to support operating environment; have a strategy for the deployment and technology; and clearly define responsibility and accountability for the use and application of technology.
In most companies, CEOs need a CIO who can be a true business partner, someone who can not only drive out costs from day-to-day operations, but strategically manage IT to enhance revenue and profits.
If the CIO is stuck in tunnel vision they may be scrambling to buy and implement one application after another and execute on programs and projects without a clear sense of strategic priorities; wasting resources on applications and projects that are redundant; and carefully depreciating hardware to keep the accountants happy.
Managing Critical Steps in Infrastructue Definition
Defining Your Optimal IT Infrastructure is a critical task that can no longer wait with all of the changes mandated by Sarbanes-Oxley and changes to your operating environment. The template helps you:
- Understand and explain what infrastructure is, enabling you, your constituents, and the executive team to manage the organization's technology environment more effectively.
- Analyze the current state of your infrastructure so you know where it works well and where to focus improvement efforts.
- Justify infrastructure spending, using the template's comprehensive definitions and ready to use examples to link IT infrastructure and your company's bottom line.
- Prioritize your resources with a prescriptive tool-set that lets you focus your efforts.
Security Policies and Procedures Come in Standard - Premium - Gold Editions
Not only can you get the template in easily modifiable Microsoft WORD but you can get full multi-page job descriptions when you order the Premium or Gold Editions. Read on...
