[Manage IT Newsletter]

In this issue of the Manage IT newsletter, we focus on how managers can immediately ramp up their resources and competency in the key skills and strategies needed to avoid buying inadequate products that cannot live up to their claims as well as paying overblown prices.

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

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With warmest regards, Joe Santana,
Co-author Manage IT
http://www.manageitbook.com

P.S. So far the number of people using their $10 ecoupon toward the purchase of books continues to increase. If you have not done so, please click on the link below and take advantage of this offer http://www.kickstartcart.com/app/aftrack.asp?afid=64841
And remember, you can pass copies of this ecoupon to your friends without losing the opportunity to use it yourself, so go ahead and multiply the fun.
***************************In this Issue ****************************
* Focus Topic - Becoming a smarter IT product buyer
* IT Management News & Trends
* Free Gift of the Month: IT Buyer Tip Sheet
* Closing Comments and Announcements
*********************************************************************

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

If you suspect that in the recent past your company has probably purchased IT products that it does not need and/or paid too much for, you are probably right. According to recent reports U.S. companies spent billions on software and hardware that they ultimately didn't need. According to Gartner these figures jump over fourfold on a global scale. Two key reasons companies buy products they never implement according to consultant Joshua Feinberg, who is author of "The Secrets of World Class IT on a Small Business Budget" is that: (1) The solution was not able to do what was expected at the time it was purchased, and/or (2) Hidden cost that surfaced after the purchase did not leave any budget dollars available for an effective implementation.

Other experts, like Dave Lakhani, President of Bold Approach, a company that teaches IT teams how to negotiate, tell us that many IT buyers, exhausted by the product selection process, tend to forgo negotiating with their selected suppliers and as a result overpay. That translates into a lot of dollars sitting closets and or left on the table.

These experts collectively tell us that we can dramatically increase our IT product investment ROI, simply by doing three things. . .

1. Developing a network of product experts to help in the selection process

2. Engaging one or more of your experts as soon as you are asked to buy a solution

3. Negotiating

In this issue of the Manage IT newsletter, we will focus on how we as managers can immediately ramp up our resources and competency in these key areas and avoid buying inadequate products that cannot live up to their claims as well as paying overblown prices.

In the "News and Trends" section of this issue, you will find useful buyer-education articles. Appropriately, your free gift of the month is a one-page summary of product purchasing tips as well as a list of resources where you can get more information and start building your roster of experts. Finally, in the "Announcement" section you will find your invitation to the May 13th 2003 Manage IT Masters Tele-Seminar, where you can join me and my guest Joshua Feinberg and Dave Lakhani for an information-packed discussion on IT Product Buying Strategies.

JS

-------------------- IT Management News and Trends -------------------
Here is a collection of articles that contain common errors to avoid when making purchases as well as important trends in IT product purchasing. Also listed here is a report I recently wrote published by TechRepublic which contains advice on how to become a smarter buyer of IT products.

Author Richard Heroux cites several common pitfalls that can be obstacles to the success of projects designed to design, implement or buy IT systems.
http://www.cio.com/archive/020103/disclosure_sidebar_1.html

Article on common IT purchasing mistakes that cost money and how to avoid them.
http://www.bankersonline.com/technology/itexpenses.html

How people who purchase IT products and services end up getting off track and among other things buying products and services that don't drive value to the company.
http://www.techrepublic.com/article.jhtml?id=r00520030120gcn01.htm

How companies are getting smarter about buying amid smaller budgets.
http://www.informationweek.com/story/IWK20030305S0004

This resource document will guide you toward becoming more skilled at buying software and hardware for your organization
http://www.techrepublic.com/article.jhtml?id=r00620030313tb01.htm&src=search

------------------- Free Gift of the Month ---------------------------
For your free one-page tip sheet that will provide you with a one page overview of key steps you need to take to get top return-on-investment for your IT purchase dollars as well as resources you can tap on to build your network of subject matter experts visit, http://www.joesantana.com/freenewsandtips.htm

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

NEXT MANAGE IT MASTERS TELE-SEMINAR: IT PRODUCT BUYING STRATEGIES 5/12/2003 at 1pm EST
Join us for a 60-minute tele-class hosted by Joe Santana, co-author of Manage IT and his guest experts Joshua Feinberg, Author of Getting More Value From Your IT Product Investments and Dave Lakhani, President of The Bold Approach. Learn how to secure the right resources and get the most for your IT product purchase investment dollars. To register, email Elizabeth Margaret at elizabeth_margaretaa@yahoo.com and type "register 5/13" in the subject line and body. The registration fee is $20, but being offered free to the first 25 people to register. (If you cannot attend the program, you may purchase a CD recording for $19.95)

MARCH 11TH MANAGE IT MASTERS TELE-SEMINAR: STAFFING PLANS IS NOW ON-LINE
If you missed the March 11th Tele-Seminar on staffing plans, I invite you to listen to the online recording. The program can be accessed free of charge at http://www.joesantana.com/Manageitmasters.htm
Join me and my guest Jon Piot COO of Impact Innovations and Bill Shulman SVP of EmployeeROI for 60-minutes packed with information you can use to design effective staffing plans for 2003 and beyond.

NEED HELP WITH YOUR COMPANIES PRODUCT SELECTION STRATEGY
Contact Joshua Feinberg at 561 642-4220, or visit him on the web at http://www.smallbiztechtalk.com

NEED HELP NEGOTIATING FOR TOP IT PURCHASING ROI
Contact Dave Lakhani, President of Bold Approach at 208-863-8298 or visit his company on the web at http://www.boldapproach.com/

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