Training

There is a men's clothing company that used to run television ads with the byline "our best customer is an educated customer". That philosophy speaks to me. It means to me that a customer who knows the value of good clothing knows what to look for and what to avoid makes it easier for the … Continue reading Training →

IT Consolidation

This topic may seem dated. While the tipping point for cloud services has come where many enterprises have completed or are planning to move the majority of their platforms to the cloud, higher education is looking at the balance of service delivery between central and academic and auxiliary units. This topic can be viewed in similar … Continue reading IT Consolidation →

Strategic Planning

I am surprised at how many IT organizations I know of that have not gone through a formal strategic planning process. I say process. The plan, yes, is important. The process though is more important. There are many different types of organizations with their own types of IT. It isn't universal. How does an integrated … Continue reading Strategic Planning →

Competition (in the workplace)

It is a reality that competition in the workplace exists. People have goals and ambition and you can be someone who can be neutral, can assist someone else with their goals or get in their way. CIOs must be keenly aware of this as the CIO has an increasingly pervasive roll in all areas of … Continue reading Competition (in the workplace) →

Culture Eats Strategy for Breakfast

You may consider yourself a change agent. Let's face it. If you are a CIO who recently took over the helm of an organization, you probably see significant opportunities for change. Let's face it again; if you are a CIO who has been at the helm for some time, you also see significant opportunities for … Continue reading Culture Eats Strategy for Breakfast →

Diversity

I didn't fully understand the value of diversity until recently. My perception of the topic was influenced by its often partnered value: inclusion. With that association, it was too easy for me not to realize the full meaning of diversity. Luckily, I work in an institution of higher education that values diversity. First, yes, … Continue reading Diversity →

LinkedIn Prospectors

CIOs get calls. CIOs get a lot of calls and a lot of emails and now a lot of LinkedIn connection requests. I have noted the importance of a good client/vendor relationship in the past. I value a good vendor partnership. I also have a good amount of respect for people in the sales business. … Continue reading LinkedIn Prospectors →

Wisdom is in the Fringes

I have had conversations with peers about this subject. I'm looking for more scholarly references to this topic that I have often mused over. My boss refers to it as the advantages of being "grey" (as in grey hair). The topic is this. People who strive for being better and are reflective and have some … Continue reading Wisdom is in the Fringes →

The Client-Vendor Relationship

I am the technology head for a high profile organization. I receive a lot of solicitations. I remember what it used to be like when I was in sales. The big fish were the ones that were most intimidating. Their decision cycles were longer, they had more elaborate and formal buying procedures and then there … Continue reading The Client-Vendor Relationship →

My Favourite Album

I don't like to choose favourites. I may have a fav-du-jour but there's just too much great stuff out there to say any one thing is my favourite. I don't have a favourite album but simply by number of plays and what first jumps to mind when I think of what I like best, Supertramp's … Continue reading My Favourite Album →