Sandy Schwan at Evolving Strategies, LLC. Organizational Change Consultant

Robert Reich: The Economics of People

With globalization, disruptive technology and aging demographics bearing down on the U.S. economy, Robert Reich says we need a new way to think about people.

Equal parts economist, professor, polemicist and politician, Robert Reich is quite unlike any other business thinker on the current public scene. These days, the former Labor Secretary under President Clinton is a professor of public policy at the University of California–Berkeley, National Public Radio commentator and sought-after public speaker. [note from Sandy: He spoke at a recent talent management strategy conference in Chicago, so I can vouch firsthand that Mr. Reich is a wonderfully engaging and interesting speaker.] But in his spare time, Reich worries that the U.S. has reached an economic crossroads and could take the wrong path, choosing protectionism over globalization and failing to take advantage of its most important resource: its people. Read the rest of the article by Allan E. Alter at CIO Insight. Enjoy.

Understanding Wikis

Wikis - Part II

Wikis are the latest innovation in the increasingly popular space of social software.

Do you know what they are? Read this white paper from Ziff Davis for a basic understanding of wikis that will allow you to make informed decisions about the role wikis can play in your organization.

Enjoy!

...and p.s. Go Chicago Bears!

PODCAST: What's the word on the street for Senior IT professionals?

I had the pleasure of being interviewed for my first podcast by Jim Stroud, a self-described 'Recruiter-Trainer-Blogger-Nice Guy.'   I call him one of the geniuses in his field. Jim is a 'Searchologist' with an expertise in the full life-cycle placement of executive and technical personnel, recruitment research and competitive intelligence. He has consulted for Google, Siemens, MCI and a host of start-up companies. He presently serves Microsoft as a technical sourcing consultant and is a regular contributor to Microsoft's Technical Careers blog.

Jim and I connected in his blogosphere creation, 'The Recruiter's Lounge,' which provides interviews and commentary on the recruiting industry. Jim asked me to chat with him about about the L's and the M's of technology and business alignment, and what senior IT folks need to do best to work effectively with their peers across the business. Enjoy the podcast!

For the record, Wikipedia has some roots in Chicago

Go Chicago! First, our Chicago Bears won yesterday. Then, I learn today that Wikipedia has some roots right here in Chicago.

"If the virtual book on pioneering Internet service Wikipedia had a prequel, it would be based in Chicago. Founded in 2001, Wikipedia is an interactive encyclopedia that invites volunteers to author, edit and re-edit articles (more than five million to date) in approximately 250 languages. Although Wikipedia is among the 15 most trafficked Web sites in the world -- far exceeding any online news service -- it generates no revenue, and relies on donations from the public to maintain operations. Wikipedia was founded and initially funded by Jimmy Wales, who researched and traded options in Chicago from 1994 to 2000."

Follow this link to read the entire article by Brad Spirrison, a Chicago Sun-Times Columnist.

The 30 Most Important IT Trends for 2007

CIO Insight recently published its Top 30 Trends in IT in 2007.

My key take-away is this: as a retained executive search consultant, companies will continue to ask me to find them strong leaders who can blend IT and business savvy.

Do read the article. It provides some great thinking for ANY leader thinking about how technology can / will impact business.

NPR: Social Networking Technology Boosts Job Recruiting

Here's a story from National Public Radio [NPR] this week covering one of the key tools of the recruiting and retained executive search trade: LinkedIn. Even before I was a retained executive search consultant, I used it, believed in it, and now further believe that the concept of social networking will continue to further develop and THE primary means to finding opportunities.

What do 44% of CFOs have in common?

In a recent survey of CFOs conducted by CFO Publishing, 44% described the alignment of business and IT in their companies as weak. I’ve heard this sentiment shared by other senior executives, including CEOs, COOs, CIOs and CTOs. So, what can companies do to ensure their technology investments are effectively aligned with and delivering measurable value to their business?

After conducting primary and secondary research on this topic, I've created the “Ls & Ms” of what matters most in effective business-IT alignment: Link & Lead. Manage & Measure. Any leader can apply the Ls & Ms, and I encourage you to do so. I've had some readers tell me that I should add the "Cs": Communicate and Collaborate. To learn more, I welcome you to read my Point of View on the topic: What Matters Most: Effectively Aligning Technology and Business. Enjoy!