IT departments are stuck between a rock and a hard place these days. As the recession impacts their companies, they have to tighten their belts. And with the hope of an end to the recession this year, they have to prepare for future growth--in some cases, that means increasing IT hiring despite though times.

Kurt Sowa, CIO of Deckers Outdoor Group, Inc.--makers of the popular Ugg sheepskin boot--told SearchCIO.com that he just saw his $3 million budget increase by $500,000 for new hires. "I know a lot of people are scaling back," Sowa said. "We're trying to play it smart as a company so we come out of this recession period strong."

"I think everybody in the company recognizes that we have been lean for so long, it's time now to invest in IT," he added

Does this mean the end is in sight? Hardly. It means that companies have to be cautious and not jeopardize their future because the present is rough. And for Sowa, it means positioning IT as an important component of the company. "We run lean. It's one of the reasons why earnings per share is so good," Sowa told SearchCIO.com, referring to a record 43.7% increase in earnings per share in 2008 over 2007.

For more on IT growth:
- check out this SearchCIO.com article

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