Innovation is the name of the game

The name of the game in 2008 is innovation. And that means there is no need to spend scarce dollars on new technology or to recycle old stuff. This is the year to take what you have and make it work for you. It's not a moment too soon to tackle a new way of doing business. IT spending this year is expected to grow between 5 and 6 percent after investment experts pared back their original predictions of an 8 percent jump in 2008. That is not the only change anticipated for CIOs this year. It is expected to be a tough year in the IT market, and a tougher year for CIOs trying to keep the bottom line in the black while keeping customers--both inside and outside their firms--happy.

All this means that CIOs must have sharp instincts to do the best job possible and not be detoured by extraneous issues. If a technology is not working, take it down. If a tool is too expensive, phase it out. It could be the the best of times for CIOs who know their way through the thick underbrush of change. Yet it may be the worst of times, too, for CIOs as they dodge obstacles in their markets. Let us know what you are hearing out there and more importantly, what you are doing. We are on the alert for the trends that are emerging in your backyard. -Judi