Leadership and strategic planning
Effective leadership and strategic planning skills are the keys to success for any CIO. As more CIOs are expected to speak the language of the business and contribute to the success of the organization, leadership and strategic planning skills are essential. Find information and advice on effective leadership and strategic planning for CIOs, including news, tips and other resources, in this topic section.
Top Stories
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Tip
14 Mar 2024
Practical strategies for shadow IT management
Employees might believe that they need tools beyond the organization's scope. Learn how CIOs and their teams can properly manage shadow IT to avoid unnecessary risk. Continue Reading
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Feature
05 Jul 2023
Replacing vs. maintaining legacy systems
Understanding issues such as which systems hinder organizational performance can help IT leaders decide which legacy systems to replace and which to maintain. Continue Reading
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Blog Post
04 Jan 2013
DCIM will have star turn in 2013 and other technology predictions
Every new year it's the same old thing - everybody calling the next big thing. But heck, who doesn't enjoy a little crystal ball gazing. In this week's SearchCIO.com Searchlight we pass that ball ... Continue Reading
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Blog Post
28 Dec 2012
Master list: Information technology news and 2013 predictions
Here at SearchCIO.com Searchlight, there's nothing we like better than a good list -- it is, after all, our stock in trade! So it is our great pleasure to bring you, in these dwindling days of ... Continue Reading
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Blog Post
21 Dec 2012
Uniquely naughty threats to information security
It's December 21, 2012 and since we're writing this and you're reading it, looks like that so-called Mayan apocalypse won't come to pass. Â Well, that's a relief. Now that the world isn't ending, ... Continue Reading
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Blog Post
21 Nov 2012
Privacy policy shortcuts are something to be thankful for
Thanksgiving is here and, in accordance with tradition, this week's SearchCIO.com Searchlight seeks to stuff you full of tasty bits and give you a few things to be thankful for. On the menu is a ... Continue Reading
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Blog Post
16 Nov 2012
Importance of data security is no secret
Unless you've taken a post-election sabbatical from the news, chances are you're suffering from CIA-FBI scandal fatigue. We at SearchCIO.com Searchlight know how exhausting the 24-hour news cycle ... Continue Reading
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Blog Post
09 Nov 2012
STEM is the star of Election Day 2012
This just might go down as the year they really put the "science" in political science. From geophysicists to data scientists, nerds ruled Election Day 2012 with dead-on outcome predictions and ... Continue Reading
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Blog Post
02 Nov 2012
Agile technology a beacon in Hurricane Sandy
It's easy to feel a little jaded about the prevalence of technology these days. The capacity for constant connection means we're never really alone. Sometimes it's too much, but then something like ... Continue Reading
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Tip
01 Nov 2012
Free IT organizational structure chart templates for the CIO
Use these free IT organizational structure chart templates to illustrate the relationships and hierarchy between various IT roles in your enterprise. Continue Reading
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Blog Post
26 Oct 2012
Time to scare up a mobility strategy
If you're an East Coast dweller, Halloween probably isn't the scariest thing headed your way next week. (Which reminds us, CIOs, is your DR/BC plan "Billion-dollar storm" proof?) But we at ... Continue Reading
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Blog Post
19 Oct 2012
Newsweek is dead, long live digital disruption!
This week's SearchCIO.com Searchlight comes to you from Forrester's Digital Disruption Forum in Orlando, which in turn inspired our findings around the web this week. From the sleepy South, comes ... Continue Reading
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Blog Post
05 Oct 2012
Every little byte helps - teaching tech matters
What if you had skills so powerful they could change the course of the U.S. economy? You'd try to pass that awesomeness along, right? Well, great news SearchCIO.com Searchlight readers -- you ... Continue Reading
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Blog Post
28 Sep 2012
Data center energy questions spark heated debate
Ladies and gentlemen! Are you ready to rumble?! It's time for Data Center Energy Use Smackdown 2012! OK, so things have been a little more dignified than that, but the start of  The New York Times' ... Continue Reading
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Blog Post
21 Sep 2012
Big demand for big data analytics pros
In this week's SearchCIO.com Searchlight we have a bevvy, a big ol' bonanza -- ok -- a bunch of interesting bits you may have missed in your own web travels. Read about why being brainy is ... Continue Reading
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Blog Post
14 Sep 2012
Gamification proves powerful weapon against security lesson boredom
Not all aspects of dealing with technology are fun. But sometimes technology itself can pep things up. This week, the SearchCIO.com Searchlight shines upon a few examples of the innovative thinking ... Continue Reading
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Tip
07 Sep 2012
Making a business case for data storage and backup
CIO Niel Nickolaisen lays out how he gets the business to invest in storage and backup technologies starting with a business case for the value of data. Continue Reading
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Blog Post
31 Aug 2012
As summer ends, time to dust off the BYOD policy
Labor Day - the most bittersweet of the long weekends. Of course an extended weekend is always a good thing, but it's always a little sad to hit the unofficial end of summer. Everyone is taking it ... Continue Reading
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Blog Post
04 Aug 2012
CIO lights up Olympics with green tech innovation
Every four years, it's the same thing. We sit and watch the summer Olympics in awe of human physical potential and our minds begin to wander. What if we'd kept up those swimming lessons? If only we ... Continue Reading
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Blog Post
27 Jul 2012
Olympic-size woes and the dark side of tech innovation
Can you believe what a disappointment these games are turning out to be? Oh, we're not talking about the Olympics. We're referring of course to Zynga's recent woes. Yes, in life, as in the ... Continue Reading
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News
27 Jul 2012
Olympic-size woes and the dark side of tech innovation
This week's roundup finds former tech stars who won't be up on a podium anytime soon, the dark (Hat) side of innovation and heroic leadership lessons. Continue Reading
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News
24 Jul 2012
CIO's green technology solutions cut money, time, carbon footprint
Green technology solutions are a vital part of Janet Claggett's CIO role. Continue Reading
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Blog Post
20 Jul 2012
Conquering brain drain and big data analytics
Is there anyone out there who didn't have the longest, hottest week since ever? We're going to keep this brief, as our brains are more melted than hoax-ified Canadian currency. Good thing this ... Continue Reading
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Blog Post
13 Jul 2012
Scary-good tech innovations
Why is it that Friday the 13th only seems scary when it falls in October? Didn't those unfortunate teens meet their demise at a summer camp? At any rate, in honor of this allegedly spooky/unlucky ... Continue Reading
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Blog Post
06 Jul 2012
Pondering BPM applications and summer reading lists
Is this the official holiday weekend or was that last weekend? Mid-week holidays are so confusing. One thing we do know for sure is that summer is now in full swing. To celebrate, we've got ... Continue Reading
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News
03 Jul 2012
Girls who code may become women in computer science
Girls Who Code seeks to give teenage girls the skills to pursue degrees in technology and join the sparse ranks of women in computer science. Continue Reading
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Blog Post
29 Jun 2012
A revolutionary idea to promote women in computer science
Who went and put a holiday in the middle of the week? Well, if you're not getting a long weekend out of it, at least the Fourth will break up your week -- goodness knows summer weeks are always ... Continue Reading
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Blog Post
23 Jun 2012
Summer brings the heat and cool tech innovation
Don't know about you, but we here in the Boston area have had just about enough heat in the first two days of summer to last all season. They say it helps to think cool thoughts --Â it ... Continue Reading
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News
19 Jun 2012
Buddying up to HR to solve your tech hiring headache
CIOs looking for allies in the IT revolution will want human resources on their side in facing the challenge of tech hiring. Continue Reading
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Blog Post
16 Jun 2012
What the Queen of Soul can teach about social CRM
It's Father's Day weekend and what does this week's roundup have for all the dads? Potpourri! Yeah, we know, that sounds even worse than another tie. But we mean it more like the Jeopardy! category ... Continue Reading
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News
13 Jun 2012
Relocated, remote workers may be worth financial risk
Fearing the financial risk, many companies are missing out on IT talent by not considering hiring remote workers or paying for relocation. Continue Reading
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News
08 Jun 2012
Access is necessary but not sufficient for mobile IT
It's easy to forget how breathtakingly quickly mobile IT made its way to the enterprise. Educating, not just providing access, will be key for CIOs. Continue Reading
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News
04 Jun 2012
Social media tips and other helpful lists
In this week's roundup, we have a list made up primarily of lists -- how meta! Included are social media tips and a general how-to on being a good CIO. Continue Reading
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Blog Post
02 Jun 2012
Social media tips and other helpful lists
The Late Show Top 10, Billboard's Hot 100 -- everybody loves a good list. (Except, perhaps, those of the "to-do" variety.) To help satisfy that hankering for digestible order, this week's roundup ... Continue Reading
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News
01 Jun 2012
Filling soft skills gap may be easier than you think
Some of our readers responded to a recent story about the perceived soft skills gap in IT suggesting the talent leaders are seeking could be all around them. Continue Reading
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News
22 May 2012
CEOs: CIOs earn seat at the table by creating competitive advantage
CIOs who master new technologies and wring value from legacy systems are great, but what CEOs really want is a partner in creating competitive advantage. Continue Reading
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Blog Post
18 May 2012
Really big deals: Facebook IPO and SEC guidance on cybersecurity
Unless you've been living in outer space (or on MySpace), it's impossible not to know that today is the day Facebook drops its privacy settings and friends the NASDAQ. News and analysis abound, but ... Continue Reading
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Blog Post
04 May 2012
With tech innovation, countries starting out with less are doing more
When is the last time you actually dedicated time to innovative thinking? If it's taking you a while to answer (or you don't have time to remember because you're too busy working), you're not ... Continue Reading
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News
04 May 2012
Do CIOs care about gaining a competitive advantage?
Do CIOs care enough about gaining a competitive advantage—or is collegiality the secret of success in IT? Continue Reading
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Tutorial
03 May 2012
Enterprise CIO project management resources guide
Project management success requires proper planning, a dedicated team and a deft CIO touch. Learn more in this project management resources guide. Continue Reading
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News
28 Apr 2012
Promoting innovation, from boss-less offices to tweaking big data
This week's roundup of tidbits from the Web includes ways of promoting innovation, as well as talent in the workplace. Continue Reading
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Blog Post
27 Apr 2012
Promoting innovation, from boss-less offices to tweaking big data
Sometimes innovation begets innovation. This week, check out a gaming company that took the rather innovative step of eliminating hierarchy in the workplace and found it led to -- innovation. On a ... Continue Reading
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Blog Post
20 Apr 2012
Eco-friendly technology: Green means go, especially in Nebraska
Have you had a "taxing" week? Bad puns probably won't make you feel any better, but checking out our weekly roundup of news bits and analysis just might -- it's totally free. Earth Day is coming up ... Continue Reading
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News
17 Apr 2012
Quotable quotes on the role of the CIO
The best comments on the role of the CIO often don't make it into stories. Here's a collection of insightful and often humorous CIO side comments. Continue Reading
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Blog Post
13 Apr 2012
The only thing certain for the future of the CIO role is change
You may have avoided bad mojo on this Friday the 13th by eschewing black cats, mirrors and ladders; but sorry to say, this week's roundup just couldn't help being the bearer of bad news. From big ... Continue Reading
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News
13 Apr 2012
Reading the tea leaves on the CIO job shakeup at BofA
What do companies want from their CIOs? This week's shakeup in the CIO job at Bank of America suggests the question is not given to easy answers. Continue Reading
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Blog Post
06 Apr 2012
More women in information technology is mission of university prez
Short week? Long weekend? Whether you have something to celebrate or are simply enjoying the extra time off, we invite you to take in this week's roundup of tech bits from around the Web. This ... Continue Reading
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Blog Post
02 Apr 2012
Where are the successful women in business leadership?
Each week, we scour the Web looking for the choicest cuts of the blogosphere. This week, we're taking a look at the illusive Millennial-generation traits that lead to a quest for more "me time" ... Continue Reading
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News
02 Apr 2012
Business transformation and the human touch
Business transformation, and how the CIO can bring this to bear through adaptability and a bit of a human touch. Continue Reading
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News
30 Mar 2012
Teamwork is important, folks at the top say
Teamwork is important. Two born leaders tell CIOs why. Continue Reading
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Blog Post
23 Mar 2012
Spring is here, and innovation is in the air
Spring is here, the season of renewal. In honor of this time of all things fresh and new, this week's roundup includes a peek at innovators who inspire an innovator, the ways Best Buy's new digital ... Continue Reading
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News
23 Mar 2012
Will cloud service providers create a jobs boom?
Are cloud service providers fueling major job growth, or just re-employing workers bumped by the cloud? Continue Reading
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News
23 Mar 2012
Spring is here, and innovation is in the air
In this week's roundup of news and notable bits from around the Web, spring brings thoughts of innovation. Continue Reading
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News
21 Mar 2012
A tale of two data quality theories
Data quality still hobbles business intelligence efforts. The question is what to do about it. Continue Reading
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Blog Post
16 Mar 2012
Siri, find me a good lawyer
Maybe it's an effect of that "Law and Order" marathon we sat through last weekend, but for some reason we were really drawn to things litigious this week. In this Friday's roundup of news and ... Continue Reading
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News
16 Mar 2012
Where are the women in computer science?
Women are nearly at parity with men when it comes to bachelor's degrees in science and engineering. So, why are so few women in computer science? Continue Reading
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News
12 Mar 2012
Who’s afraid of the iPad 3?
This week’s bits include why the iPad 3 should put a scare in the competition, and an example of how CIOs who consider the consumer come out on top. Continue Reading
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Blog Post
09 Mar 2012
Who's afraid of the iPad 3?
Friday again already? Wow, things really do move fast in the tech world. In this week's roundup of news bits and opinions, we naturally bring you one of many, many ponderings about the new iPad, a ... Continue Reading
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Report
05 Mar 2012
CIO compensation and careers survey 2011-2012
CIO compensation and job satisfaction are examined in this special report based on the CIO/IT Strategy Media Group IT salary and career survey. Continue Reading
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Blog Post
02 Mar 2012
Security woes and a different kind of Net threat
We're feeling a little vulnerable this week, maybe because our cache of tech bits is a little heavy on security issues. And if that's not enough, we round out the roundup with the most nefarious ... Continue Reading
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Blog Post
24 Feb 2012
No need to search, they know what you want
It was a short week for some, but there was no shortage of intriguing news and opinions to sort through. We've rounded up a handful of items to share with you on this Friday, including one of many ... Continue Reading
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News
24 Feb 2012
Silence on business analytics speaks volumes
The next time your CIO pals clam up about business analytics, watch out. They're on to something. You should be too. Continue Reading
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News
21 Feb 2012
Mission-critical systems taking on dual roles
As CIOs take on new roles, they are finding new uses for mission-critical systems -- and that in turn is making their role more business-critical. Continue Reading
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Blog Post
17 Feb 2012
Shaping data in ways both scary and sweet
The week is drawing to a close, and for some of you there's a long weekend ahead. Why not use a bit of your extra leisure time to peruse some interesting news from around the Internet that you ... Continue Reading
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News
15 Feb 2012
Is technology leadership training lacking?
A lack of technology leadership training specific to the CIO position leaves the up-and-comers fending for themselves. Continue Reading
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News
14 Feb 2012
No honor-student bumper stickers for Steve Jobs
A roundup of items you might have missed from around the Web, including Steve Jobs' high school GPA and a possible storm over cloud privacy in the EU. Continue Reading
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Blog Post
13 Feb 2012
No honor-student bumper stickers for Steve Jobs
Top o’ the week to you. We're as laden with interesting Web tidbits as Adele is with Grammy awards today. Without further fanfare, here are six stories from around the Internet, the leadoff one a ... Continue Reading
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News
09 Feb 2012
Days are dwindling for successful Windows 7 migration
If you've been hitting the snooze button on Windows 7 migration, it's time to wake up -- you're already late. Continue Reading
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News
07 Feb 2012
Big data is dead? Long live analytics apps?
The view of BI as an enterprise-wide system similar to ERP is giving way to a more tactical, "disaggregated" approach based on analytics apps. Continue Reading
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News
23 Jan 2012
The CIO and the extended enterprise
The CIO role is stretching further into the outer limits of the "extended enterprise." Continue Reading
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News
12 Jan 2012
CIOs proving the value of technology investments
There's no easy way to prove the value of technology investments, but smart CIOs are finding new ones -- and smarter still, being proactive about it. Continue Reading
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Blog Post
05 Jan 2012
Time to re-evaluate need for some endpoint security tools?
Security investments and priorities are a tricky thing to nail down, given that threats are constantly shifting, but one security precaution could be going the way of the dodo bird. Michael Daly, ... Continue Reading
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News
05 Jan 2012
Rosy outlook for services broker model may have thorns
The IT services-broker model might be good for your business, but one CIO cautions against letting the label define your role. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
04 Jan 2012
An enterprise guide to CIO roles and responsibilities
Get answers to questions about IT career issues, salaries, budgets, spending and staff development in this guide to CIO roles and responsibilities. Continue Reading
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Blog Post
23 Dec 2011
Bill limiting IT worker overtime pay could put CIOs in a tough spot
With technology boosters like these, who needs Scrooge? That's what many IT folks must be thinking when they take a gander at the sponsors of a bill before the U.S. Senate to limit overtime pay for ... Continue Reading
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News
21 Dec 2011
'IT as a services broker' model will carry beyond 2012
IT leaders are positioning themselves as facilitators or IT services brokers rather than as the managers and mainframe minders of yore. Continue Reading
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News
16 Dec 2011
CIOs have to be passionate and in fighting trim
To be executive material for the CIO job these days, you'll need more than a well-cut suit. Continue Reading
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News
08 Dec 2011
Outlook 2012: Monetizing IT
It's that time of year again, when we and everyone else pull out the crystal IT ball for Outlook 2012. Continue Reading
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Blog Post
07 Dec 2011
Outlook 2012: Monetizing IT
Opinions about the top trends for the coming year are starting to trickle into my inbox. Most of these "Outlook 2012" predictions are about the certainty of economic uncertainty. I know, however, ... Continue Reading
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News
02 Dec 2011
Will CIOs' role suffer in an IT services organization?
CIOs continue to buzz about building an IT services organization and running IT as a business. But is it a demotion in the making? Continue Reading
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Tutorial
01 Dec 2011
Managing business processes: A guide for enterprise CIOs
With Agile and lean methodologies and a focus on innovation, organizations are succeeding in managing business processes and achieving their goals. Continue Reading
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News
30 Nov 2011
A strong BYOD policy should be SOP
The desire for device flexibility is now a scary fact of life for IT managers. Now's the time to take control, before it becomes a beastly problem. Continue Reading
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Blog Post
31 Oct 2011
How to be a strategic leader in the IT industry
What happened in the IT world last week? Here's the scoop on what you might have missed, including how IBM set an example for strategic leadership, Hewlett-Packard Co.'s recent decision and cloud ... Continue Reading
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News
31 Oct 2011
A cloud strategy requires a good offense and defense
CIOs are finding that a little game play goes a long way toward putting them at the helm of the enterprise cloud computing strategy. Continue Reading
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Feature
28 Oct 2011
A CIO's time is expensive; not every vendor relationship deserves it
Managing vendor relationships is something most CIOs are not taught. Rule No. 1: They don't all deserve your time. Continue Reading
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Feature
21 Oct 2011
Technology priorities of CEOs not lining up with those of CIOs
The top technology priorities of CEOs as they move into 2012 are not focused on the latest or coolest technology, but on good old standbys. Continue Reading
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Blog Post
11 Oct 2011
What can we learn from the Steve Jobs Way?
There have been many timelines, retrospectives and other examinations of Apple founder Steve Jobs' career, aka the Steve Jobs Way, and it would be a waste if we don't learn lessons from him about ... Continue Reading
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Blog Post
10 Oct 2011
Be more effective by increasing your business storytelling
It's been a busy week around the Web, and chances are you missed some things. Between the news of the iPhone 4S and Steve Jobs' death, it seems like the Web was absolutely sticky with Apple juice ... Continue Reading
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Tutorial
03 Oct 2011
FAQ: Four criteria for an effective IT innovation strategy
In this FAQ, IT executives share four ways to kick-start and manage an IT innovation strategy that drives business value and transformation. Continue Reading
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Blog Post
27 Sep 2011
SIM CIO survey: IT budgets trend up, BI reigns as top CIO investment
When asked, "Are you better off than you were three years ago?" most IT organizations answer in the affirmative. IT budgets, hiring and salaries are on the rise at the majority of companies, ... Continue Reading
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Tip
27 Sep 2011
Agile project management helps overcome IT obstacles
Traditional project management can ruin the best-intentioned IT efforts. It's time to get flexible and interact with stakeholders using Agile methods. Continue Reading
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Feature
15 Sep 2011
Going Google? Follow these steps, consultant says
Going Google is like any big app conversion in some respects: lots of politics and the need for funding over multiple years. Continue Reading
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Feature
26 Aug 2011
Steve Jobs and the consumerization of IT
No one needs to tell CIOs about the impact of Steve Jobs. All they have to do is look around at the consumerization of IT in their own enterprises. Continue Reading
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Feature
18 Aug 2011
Jettison relational database management systems for BI
Relational database management systems have never been a perfect fit for business intelligence, according to Forrester. Here's what's in your future. Continue Reading
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Feature
17 Aug 2011
Leave room for error with desktop virtualization
Desktop virtualization calls for a contingency plan to give CIOs and users peace of mind. Continue Reading
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Blog Post
10 Aug 2011
Some ISVs' virtualization licensing terms a moving target
When it comes to virtualization licensing terms, what is it going to take for some independent software vendors (ISVs) to stop dragging their feet? When I asked IT executives at the recent Gartner ... Continue Reading
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Blog Post
04 Aug 2011
Two outsourcing strategy tips for emerging tech, outside the contract
In our SearchCIO.com tip sheet this week on outsourcing strategies for emerging tech, outsourcing adviser Andy Sealock explains how contracting for new technology is different from procuring ... Continue Reading
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Blog Post
22 Jul 2011
Comic-Con: IT innovation lessons from dudes in Stormtrooper suits
There are a few annual events I adore even though I'll never ever go to any of them: Burning Man, SXSW, TED, and this time of year, Comic-Con. When you're hyper-focused on IT innovation, you ... Continue Reading
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Feature
22 Jul 2011
Comic-Con: IT wisdom from dudes in Stormtrooper suits
The freaks and geeks gathered at this year's Comic-Con have a mantra applicable to IT innovation: Don't settle. The coolest stuff is still out there. Continue Reading
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Feature
15 Jul 2011
Building an innovation pipeline that's not a pipe dream
A CIO builds an innovation pipeline of people that's aimed at taking new ideas from concept to pilot stage to industrial-strength. Continue Reading
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News
12 Jul 2011
The IT organization of the future: An enterprise within an enterprise
The IT organization of the future is shifting to become not only a business but also a part of an integrated business services organization. Continue Reading
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Blog Post
16 Jun 2011
Collaboration tool standardization prevents the death of ideas
When I covered Microsoft, I appreciated the grass-roots SharePoint efforts across businesses small and large. Unsatisfied with the capabilities of a given collaboration tool, knowledge workers ... Continue Reading