[The Manage IT Newsletter]

This issue looks at key events that had an impact on IT management careers in 2003 and guidance for planning for your 2004 career resolutions.

Welcome to this year-end 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.

In this issue, we will take a look at key themes of the past year with an eye toward deciding what commitments we will make to further develop and enhance our careers.

Please share this newsletter with your network, friends and colleagues. If you are an IT executive or HR professional, 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

In the event that I do not publish any interim messages between now and 2004, I want to take this opportunity to wish you and your families in regions that are celebrating Holidays a healthy, happy and prosperous season.

With warmest regards,

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

***************************In this Issue *****************************
* Focus Topic - A Look Back at the trends for 2003
* IT Management News & Trends
* Free Gift of the Month: Your New years Career Resolution Planner
* Closing Comments and Announcements
*********************************************************************

--------------------------- Focus Topic -----------------------------
A Look Back at the trends for 2003

As we look back over the events of 2003, three major themes emerge:

1. The IT role and jobs are more global then ever. Coupling this with shifting worldwide demographics indicates a huge need for diversity management skills in the IT space.

2. Due to the economy, the maturation of IT roles as part of the business strategy and the above mentioned globalization, what businesses expect and out of IT professionals has evolved from specialist to versatilists. Today's IT professional and manager needs to be a business savvy, tri-athlete that is equally conversant and comfortable in a number of IT and non-IT settings.

3. Lastly, the wide spread practice of matrix management, coupled with massive downsizing have left many managers and teams working at a non-sustainable and often unproductive work pace. This practice leads to substandard results and burnout. Effective managers today need to be able to manage up and sideways in order to achieve and maintain sustainable workloads for themselves and their teams.

In this months "News and Trends" section, you will find articles that talk about these major themes in greater detail. In the tip sheet, I will ask you questions designed to help you select your top three to five career development objectives for the coming year. Finally, in the "Announcement" section, you will find additional resources you can tap on to support you in fulfilling your resolutions during the course of 2004.

I believe you will find this look back, coupled with questions to help you plan forward, useful in mapping out your personal development plans for the coming year.

JS

-------------------- IT Management News and Trends -------------------
This month, we have several articles that focus on the 2003 themes listed above.

Excellent article published by TechRepublic, written by Karen Kidd on why IT teams today need versatile workers and managers.
http://techrepublic.com.com/5100-6300-5053961.html?tag=search

Part one of a two-part article published in TechRepublic on how the ability to manage within the framework of a diverse workplace today is rapidly becoming as much of a key success requirement as knowing how to manage projects.
http://techrepublic.com.com/5100-6314-5054008.html?tag=search

Part two of the article listed above. This segment focuses on actions managers can take to obtain the full benefits of the diversity of their team members.
http://techrepublic.com.com/5100-6314-5054005.html?tag=search

An article published in TechRepublic that advises managers on how to create an engaging environment of high performers by being courageous and facing up to the real challenges in today's workplace that cause employee disengagement and burnout.
http://techrepublic.com.com/5100-6300-5035231.html

An article published in TechRepublic that outlines steps IT professionals can take to protect their careers from offshore outsourcing and position themselves for success in the coming job boom.
http://techrepublic.com.com/5100-6316-5074311.html?tag=search

A recent article published by Information Week, highlighting an IDC study that indicates that IT jobs leaving the US via offshore outsourcing are being replaced by growth in other IT job segments. (E.g., IT Project Management)
http://www.informationweek.com/story/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=16400105

A Times article that talks about the industries showing the most promise for current and future job opportunities
http://www.time.com/time/covers/1101031124/story.html

Another recent article published in ComputerWorld highlighting the latest twist on the migration of work to developing countries. This story focuses on how a London-based travel agency has taken outsourcing to a new level, shipping both call center jobs and the workers who perform them to India. http://www.computerworld.com/careertopics/careers/story/0,10801,87005,00.html

------------------- Free Gift of the Month ---------------------------
For your free tip sheet designed to help you zero-in on your 2004 career development goals go to http://www.joesantana.com/freenewsandtips.htm

----------------- Closing Thoughts and Announcements -----------------
WANT TO KNOW WHAT IT PROS AROUND THE WORLD THINK?
Join to the IT Professional World Wide network at http://itpww1-network.ryze.com (Membership is free).

WANT TO LEARN WHAT TO OUTSOURCE FOR TOP RETURN ON INVESTMENT?
Get your copy of the audio program titled "Doing more with less through IT Outsourcing," at http://store.mixonic.com/joesantana

WANT TO HELP YOUR FRIENDS LOOKING FOR ADVICE ON HOW TO FIGHT BURNOUT AND ACHIEVE PEAK PERFORMANCE
Have them visit www.joesantana.com and sign up for the free TIPS DRIVING PEAK PERFORMANCE EMAIL SEMINAR. Delivered over seven days, this program is packed with advice that can immediately be put to use by a rookie or a veteran IT manager. (HR pros will also find it a rich source of ideas they can use to coach IT managers).

WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT IT MANAGEMENT WITH JOE?
Visit www.ULiveandLearn.com and register for the IT Management webinar. This information packed program comes right to your desktop and offers you advice on one of your most important career decisions.

NEED HELP QUICKLY BUILDING A PIPELINE OF CANDIDATES.
Contact EmployeeROI www.employeeroi.com/1-888-654-8845

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