[Manage IT Newsletter]

The focus of this issue is on how you can optimize your personal use of time and your teams operation to drive the maximum value to your organization even in the face of frozen salaries, flat budgets and diminished staff.

Welcome to the premier issue of the "Manage IT Newsletter." This concise monthly publication is dedicated to helping IT managers enjoy a richer career experience so they can reach their full potential.

IT Managers, Senior IT executives as well as HR and organizational development professionals whose responsibilities include the development of IT managers will find this a useful resource. In each short issue I will provide you with a brief overview of the issues focus topic, key headlines and hot buttons linking to news and trends of value to IT managers, a useful tip you can put to use right away and announcements including links to resources.

Please share this newsletter with your network, friends and colleagues. If you are an HR professional or senior IT executive, please pass a copy of this newsletter on to your IT managers. A FREE subscription is available by sending a blank email to:
ManageITNewsletter-on@zines.webvalence.com

If, at any time, you wish to be removed from this list, simply send a blank email to: ManageITNewsletter-off@zines.webvalence.com

I hope you find this kick-off issue to be just what you need to energize you with new ideas that will get your IT management career on a roll for 2003. Your feedback and request for information in future issues will be appreciated. My best wishes toward your joy and success.

With warmest regards, Joe Santana, coauthor Manage IT
http://www.manageitbook.com *********** In this Issue ***********
* Focus Topic - Doing more with less
* IT Management News & Trends
* Free Gift of the Month: An IT alignment Tip Sheet
* Closing Comments and Announcements

*****************************************************

--------------- Focus Topic ----------------------

If you are as avid a follower of META Groups, METRICNET reports as I am you probably cannot help but notice that IT budgets have been relatively flat for the past year. Never the less, CEOs and top IT management continue to sound the call for more value out of IT teams. Is it possible to squeeze more out of IT groups without investing additional dollars? Can you still do more, after the downsizing and the reduction in funding? Of equal importance to you, can you do it without having success come at personal expense to you and/or your team?

The focus of this issue is on how you can optimize your personal use of time and your teams operation to drive the maximum value to your organization even in the face of frozen salaries, flat budgets and diminished staff.

Read on and find out what you can do to relieve stress (yours and your teams), while driving more value to your company as well as some hope for the future.

---------- IT Management News and Trends -----------

So, IT budgets are flat and the pressure is on for IT to drive more value. Here are a few articles that may give you some ideas on how to meet these two seemingly opposed objectives.

INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGIES THAT LET YOU DO YOUR JOB BETTER: Here are a few low cost technologies that can help you personally get more done without breaking your bank (tm)* Information Week Article
http://www.informationweek.com/story/IWK20021206S0007

DRIVING ALIGNMENT THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE IT ORGANIZATION: While many organizations talk about corporate to IT alignment at the senior levels of the company in order to get the most out of IT dollar investments, this article shows why and how steps need to be taken to keep IT aligned with the business strategy at every layer. Article by Joe Santana, for CIOs published January 20th 2003. http://www.joesantana.com/STKITA.htm

A LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL: While the IT budget purse strings may not loosen considerably, investments that were postponed in 2002 will drive IT spending in the coming year. Article by Lorraine Cosgrove Ware, CIO Magazine.
http://www2.cio.com/techpoll/0103_techreport.html

--------- Free Gift of the Month --------------

For a free one-page tip sheet that will walk you through the process of gaining and maintaining alignment, visit my free Tips and Tools page at http://www.joesantana.com/freenewsandtips.htm
and get your copy.

------ Closing Thoughts and Announcements ------

MEET JOE SANTANA AND JIM DONOVAN
My coauthor Jim Donovan and I will be guest speakers at the ASTD meeting held at the Holiday Inn in Totowa New Jersey, February 11th 2003 at 5:30pm. The Holiday Inn is on Route 46 West in Totowa. The meeting will begin with networking at 5:30 PM, followed by a buffet dinner and Chapter business meeting. The program portion begins at 6:45 PM and the meeting concludes
at 8:00 PM.

To pre-register, e-mail Joe Fidler, fidsales@nni.com, before noon on Friday, February 7th, and bring your check to the meeting. If you pre-register and cannot attend, you are still responsible for the fee. Fees are: pre-registered members - $30; guests - $40; at the door - $40; program only $10. Program only attendees do not need to pre-register. Need directions? Visit their website at www.nnjastd.org or call 973-808-0505.

GET A FREE COPY OF MANAGE I.T.
For a chance to win a free copy of Manage I.T. tune in to Greg Ketchum(tm)?s Talent Planet show on CNET radio every Saturday from 3pm to 5pm Pacific Time. For more information, go to http://www.cnet.com/broadband/0-7227152.html and look at the weekend line-up.

GET READY TO HIRE!
If you have an immediate need to hire technical and financial resources you can contact eHire Joe Sabrin 212 736-9544 or visit eHire(tm)?s web site at http://www.ehire.com

GO TO THE NEXT LEVEL OF PERSONAL PERFORMANCE
If you are looking for personal development at the core level of your personal goals and objectives, I recommend a subscription to my Manage I.T. coauthors newsletter, Jim's Jems. To obtain a free copy go to http://www.jimdonovan.com/

I hope you enjoyed this issue of the IT Managers Newsletter and I look forward to continuing to serve you.