| "Life on the Leading
Edge" The Business/Technology Transformation
Remarks from Maryfran Johnson, Editor-in-Chief of
Computerworld at Witi Conference Keynote
How It Is Now
Technology is without regard to gender anymore. Information technology (IT) leadership
shapes the information agenda.
Y2K projects led to a deeper understanding of IT's value to business. IT leaders
infiltrated business units and vice versa while working on Y2K issues. Y2K proved to be a
blessing in disguise because it drew attention to the technology side. Post-Y2K means
greater scrutiny given to new IT projects as return on investment (ROI) for IT gets
attention. This would indicate the need for having joint upfront planning by business and
IT.
Overall Trends in the Making
Businesses will have smaller IT departments that are trained for rapid
response.
Technology is not what people expect. Intelligent networks will drive virtual
corporations for mobile workers. It will not be necessary to have a long history or
background with computers/high tech.
Tomorrow's IT leaders will be business people with IT
understanding or IT people with business sensibility. What is wanted is a mix of
technology, business concepts, and the knowledge to make them work together.
Changes for Business in the Next Five Years
Greater end user responsibility for IT work. Line managers get involved in big
IT projects to ensure users get what they want.
IT seamlessly working with business units. This is the wish but not the
reality.
Centralized management infrastructure. Backlash will occur when technology
does not work correctly. This renews separateness in management between business and IT.
Customers "rule". The business and technical sides need to be
balanced for customer responsiveness.
Specific Trends in Business/Technology
The Technology
Smaller, simpler, and smarter devices
"Net-enabled" applications vital to business success
Increasingly mobile and pervasive computing
Access to high speed dial-up modem in the US will be 90% within five years
Greatest expansion will be in copper digital subscriber lines (DSLs) and cable modem
technology
Consumer information appliances
The PC era is over supplemented by the network
E-commerce
Imperative to combat wild west reputation and crack down on fraud
Instant chat as a business tool for customer service
New IT priority of taking the time to do web sites correctly
The money will be made in business-to-business
Focus strategy on customer retention
The Web
Personalization and customization
Intelligent networks (Java and Jini)
Open source providing real business value (Linux)
Technology standards matter again (such as adoption of XML)
The Network
Enterprisewide network connections ("the plumbing") become as vital as the
network itself
Provide the seamless interfaces users demand
"Application aware networking" and "smart" networks will
prioritized data
Applications
Critical tools include middleware collaboration and object development
Support mobile users and telecommuters of virtual corporations
The People
Best IT professionals of the future will not come from technology at all
IT leaders becoming business technologists
IT personnel acting as systems integrators, project managers, and profit-enablers
Consultants crossing the IT fence in both directions (to the business or IT side)
Enthusiastic, quick learners
Experienced business analysts, project managers, and operations staff
Communicators and problem solvers
Math whizzes, budget experts, and logical thinkers
Increasingly mobile
Outsourcing
By 2003, 60% of large companies will outsource more than 50% of their IT activities
Business and IT management comprises 65% of internal skills where most technology
intensive talent will be purchased
Chief Information Officer (CIO) Status
CIO role changes from implementation to strategic development
Resume experience includes finance, marketing, and planning
Greater involvement with external customer support
Must know how everything "works" everywhere (both business and technology
effects)
The Toughest IT Functions to Fill
Customer relationship management (CRM)
E-commerce architect
Java/object oriented engineer
Network and systems engineer
Information security specialist
Database administrator (except Oracle)
Client/server developer and architect
Project manager
IT Professionals
Between 1996 and 2006, IT employment is estimated to grow 108%. Good IT personnel
command good salaries and can find better paying employment anywhere. Every year through
2002, one in five staffers will leave for better opportunities. Developing and training IT
talent internally is a better investment than searching externally. IT consultants earn
approximately 33% more.
Job Satisfaction and Reasons to Stay or Leave
The elements affecting job satisfaction depend upon where individuals are in their life
cycle. However, the following is a list of factors to consider:
Salary increases
Performance bonuses
Training in new technology
Opportunity for advancement
Freedom to telecommute
The following are reasons individuals give for leaving:
Assignment to a long-term project
Exhaustion and turmoil on the team
Career/salary advancement
Absense of the "fun Factor
The following are reasons individuals give for staying:
Training programs
Flexibility in project schedule
A focus on individual career development
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