face to face

Web 2.0 changes the way we connect

Thu, 11 Oct 2007 06:59:59 -0400

Meanwhile, Rob Carter, CIO of FedEx, told a roomful of technology executives at the SIMposium 2007 that Web 2.0 technologies are changing the way that people view connectedness and networking. Sites like Facebook, YouTube, and Second Life are defining "the notion of virtual place" and represent how people are beginning to break down the idea "that community is defined by face-to-face interactions," Informationweek reports. He also noted that Internet-based, community-oriented platforms like Wikipedia would impact how people work in the future. Pitfalls in this area include questions over intellectual property. "We have a long way to go before we clarify what IP is all about," he said. In terms of Carter's take on the CIO role: "I actually think I have the best job in business," Carter said.

For all the details:
- read the blog in InformationWeek

The key to a successful job transition

Sun, 07 Jan 2007 19:01:35 -0500

Given the hype that this is the year for IT professionals looking to move on or up, it's only common sense that CIOs should bone up on making a career transition. As one career expert relates, no matter how rosy the employment outlook, a good majority of executives fail in making a big job move--nearly 50 percent--due to a poor transition period. The most critical aspect is listening and learning and trying to fight back the instinct to make something big happen during those first days on the job. One of the first things to do is figure out who the big stakeholders are and meet with them face to face. This establishes rapport and trust will go far toward building professional credibility in your new role.

For more on making the big job transition:
- read the column at CIO

Editor's Corner

Thu, 31 Aug 2006 20:01:40 -0400

Email Firing Is A Weak Leadership Act

I found it amazing that a UK-based retailer fired a salesperson over email a few weeks back and my first reaction was to think that it was a low-down, sneaky way to get out of a difficult face-to-face interaction. Now that Radio Shack has forged ahead and fired 400 staffers via email, my reaction is even stronger. While the retailer, as noted in the first news item today, claims it gave employees fair warning that notification was coming into their inbox, it's no better than putting a 'cut list' up on the wall in the lobby.

I know for a fact that one publishing firm I worked for actually handled layoffs that way in the aftermath of the dotcom crumble. I remember seeing the CEO, who was still living out the fantasy of being a football stud, explaining to someone that a 'cut list' was the quickest and least painful approach to what he called an emotional corporate decision. It was definitely less painful for him, as he posted the list and then cut out for the golf course. Of course, it was less than painless for those who walked in that morning and saw their name on the list, or even those who didn't see their name and began to feel survivor's guilt. Managing and leading are tough roles and dealing with layoffs is likely the worst part of the job--but people deserve the dignity and respect that can only be communicated in a one-to-one interaction.

What's your take? Let me know and I'll publish your comments in next week's editor's corner.

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Please note that we will not be publishing on Monday the 4th, in observance of the Labor Day holiday. We will resume our normal publishing schedule on Tuesday the 5th. Hope you all enjoy the long holiday weekend and turn off your electronic devices--or at least one!
- Judy

Educating business on the value of IT

Thu, 17 Aug 2006 20:01:38 -0400

CIOs are constantly urged to market IT, spread the gospel of value from tech and communicate, communicate, communicate. But oftentimes, the first step--deciding the best approach for communication--stalls good intentions. As several tech leaders relate, it's a common issue that most IT leaders face and there is no one-size-fits-all solution or strategy. In fact, most CIOs will probably need to utilize several different forms of communication in order to build strong relationships with other business leaders in the enterprise. There are a variety of possible approaches, ranging from creating an IT advisory board to publishing a weekly or monthly newsletter. One tech leader even recommends nothing short of face-to-face discussions with top executives in the organization on a regular schedule.

Read how some CIOs have pushed communication forward:
-read this CIO article on fostering good relationships