The Manage IT Newsletter - 2005 Year End Issue:

This issue looks at key events that had an impact on IT management careers in 2004 and provides guidance for planning your 2005 business and career resolutions.

Welcome to another year-end issue of the "Manage IT Newsletter." 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

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In the event that I do not publish any interim messages between now and 2005, I want to take this opportunity to wish you and your families in regions that are celebrating Holidays a healthy,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 2004
* 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 2004

As we look back over the events of 2004, I see an aggressive continuation in the direction of the three major themes we discussed in last year's year-end issue. I see:

1. IT roles continue to be at the forefront of globalization. According to META Group the offshore outsourcing market currently exceeds $10 billion and is expected to grow at a sustained rate of 20% through 2008. In fact by 2008 60% of all application development work is expected to be performed offshore.

2. The demand for IT professionals that are versatilists and managers that are business savvy also continues.

3. And finally, the introduction of HR/IT roles in ITOs that are designed to enable IT teams to maintain the skills needed to serve the needs of their organizations despite rapid changes and constrained resources.

In this months "News and Trends" section, you will find articles that talk about these major themes in greater detail as well as pieces that offer you advice on how to address the changes resulting from these trends. In the tip sheet, I will offer you suggestions 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 2005.

I look forward to continuing to serve your development needs in the coming year.

May your Holidays bring peace, joy and abundant blessings.

Warmest regards,

JS

-------------------- IT Management News and Trends -------------------
This month, we have eight articles and a link to an audio program that focus on the 2004 themes listed above and how you can meet their challenges.

Rapid business changes have become a regular feature in business life today. Is your staff ready to handle all this change? This article tells you how you can make sure your team is ready to cope with change.
http://www.cioupdate.com/career/article.php/3416021

As the demand for IT professionals with business skills continues to increase, IT service firms are increasingly searching for IT professionals with a wide range of business skills and experience to enable them to meet the challenge. This article talks about what some of those highly valued non-technical skills are these days.
http://techrepublic.com.com/5100-22_11-5365506.html?tag=e019

As business leaders recognize the potential transformational powers of IT, CIOs and other IT business leaders find the scope of their jobs expanding beyond their traditional roles. Here's a look at what's happening.
http://www.joesantana.com/hchrhcatnfn21stcitmc.htm

As IT organizations seek to become more flexible and responsive to ever-changing business objectives, the requirement for more elastic staffing plans also increases. Find out how to meet these needs by reading the following article and listening to the accompanying audio program.
http://www.computerworld.com/careertopics/careers/labor/story/0,10801,95944,00.html
http://www.joesantana.com/Hiring%20Plans%20II.wma

According to a recent report, non-technical skills are gaining importance in ITO hiring decisions. Find out which skills are in top demand.
http://www2.cio.com/research/surveyreport.cfm?id=76

One of the challenges faced by IT organizations as projects grow in number and complexity is the need to abandon systems and approaches that may have been formally successful, but are no longer adequate. Learn more about your options.
http://www.mckinseyquarterly.com/article_abstract.aspx?ar=1304&L2=18&L3=31&srid=27&gp=0
According to Forrester Research 3.4 million private sector jobs will move overseas in the next 11 years. Furthermore, Forrester tells us that 830,000 of these positions will be offshore by 2005. To this Gartner Group adds that 10% of the computer services and software jobs will be overseas by the end of this year. Find out what you need to do to prepare for globalization.
http://techrepublic.com.com/5100-6314-5197010.html?tag=search

This article takes a look at the growing need for investments in training (Stay tuned for a Watch IT video seminar on this topic, which will be released January 2005).
http://www.joesantana.com/need%20for%20IT%20training%20investments.pdf

------------------- 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).

FOR WEEKLY UPDATES, READ JOE'S WEB LOG
Updated two to three times per week, Joe's Web Log contains rapid insights into the news that affects the careers and jobs of IT professionals. To access visit http://www.joesantana.com/blog.html

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 WITH EXECUTIVE COACHING, TRAINING, HIRING,
ASSESSMENT Contact EmployeeROI www.EmployeeROI.com/1-212-937-8413

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