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Zerto's 3.1 release targets enterprise and cloud service providers
For the virtualized environment of your enterprise, Zerto wants to be the business continuity and disaster recovery solution provider of choice. TechRepublic recently spoke with Zerto about the recent...
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The future of enterprise development
Increasingly, business units are demanding faster responses and more rapid adoption of new technologies. The CIO who can adapt to this new environment will position his or her team for explosive succe...
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The CIO and the help desk disconnect
Stacked against investments in other areas like new hardware or software purchases, the help desk is often overlooked yet is tasked with a larger support role with each passing year. But it's critical...
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Preparing for the CIO track
Jay Rollins provides tips about how to prepare for the CIO position, including the top 10 undergraduate courses to take to become a CIO. He also offers insight about the evolving role of the CIO.
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Implementing help desk software: IT exec offers a firsthand account
If your organization is in the market for new help desk software, read Jay Rollins' detailed account of selecting and implementing a new help desk system. His insights into the process may save your c...
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IT project management tips about centralization, alignment, and more
In this roundup of project management tips, Jay Rollins covers centralization, alignment, prioritization, PM groups, and hiring the Super Project Manager.
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Don't let standards impede employee innovation
If users want to use one-off software tools or hardware, IT pros might want to think twice about saying "no." Jay Rollins says being too standards driven can be counterproductive to employee innovatio...
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Why SMBs should formalize IT governance processes
Want to get the benefits of IT governance without dealing with all the layers of the onion? Jay Rollins outlines what SMBs need to do to start formalizing the IT governance process.
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Let employees select trade shows to attend (but retain veto rights)
With tighter travel and training budgets, many IT leaders are being more discerning when approving employees' requests to attend trade shows. Jay Rollins discusses the process he uses to help employee...
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BI systems failure: Is the CIO to blame?
Jay Rollins comments on a recent discussion about whether a CIO could be faulted when business intelligence systems projects fail. He breaks down the two sides of the argument and offers his take.
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Responding to IT mini crises involving KFC, Lotus, Adobe, and a contractor
Business lessons can come from the most unlikely of sources, as evidenced by a mini work crisis because of this week's Kentucky Fried Chicken promo. Jay Rollins outlines the five stages of a mini cris...
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Hiring independent contractors to help with small projects is a win-win
Now is the perfect time to hire an independent IT contractor to work on small projects that are on the back burner. These projects can lead to small wins that make users happy and provide the contract...
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Stepping into a leadership vacuum shows initiative
Take charge of your career by stepping into a vacuum and taking ownership of it. Jay Rollins discusses potential pitfalls you may encounter and explains why confidence is key in this leadership role.
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Seek out difficult customers to gain valuable insight
One of the best things about difficult customers is that they care enough to complain. If you're discounting these customers' opinions, you may miss opportunities to gain valuable insights about your ...
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A funny thing happened on the way to selecting software
Actually a few funny things happened during phase one of Jay Rollins' software selection process. Find out how a pushy vendor, Thomas the Tank Engine, and a pizza party factor into the process.
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Zerto's 3.1 release targets enterprise and cloud service providers
For the virtualized environment of your enterprise, Zerto wants to be the business continuity and disaster recovery solution provider of choice. TechRepublic recently spoke with Zerto about the recent...
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How to prioritize your organization's projects
Here are some tips for how to successfully prioritize your organization's projects with management. I also include a sample PowerPoint presentation you can use to communicate your concepts.
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How to create a project management group in your organization
Here's everything you need to know to set up a project management group in your organization. I have included links to several free tools--spreadsheet, sample business case document, and PowerPoint s...
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Hiring the Super Project Manager
If you're looking for a project manager to lead your PMO, you have to look deeper than a PMP certification. Here are the characteristics to look for.
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People management tips for the IT manager
Your staff is truly the most important asset you have to manage to make your IT organization successful. Here are some tips from an experienced IT manager on how to make the most of your people.
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Techno Messes
Here are some tips for what to include in your IT policies regarding Smartphones and laptops.
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The beauty of the checklist
Checklists are very simple tools that can have a huge impact on IT efficiency and effectiveness. Here's how to use them.
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What can we learn from Apple?
Challenging long-held assumptions and having the intestinal fortitude to carry the ball across the goal line regardless of how tough it actually is separates the outstanding IT leader from the rest.
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Help Desk Implementation Diary: Week 3
Jay Rollins continues his help desk implementation saga. This week the goal was to get all the service levels and business rules implemented.
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Ignorance may be bliss, but it's also dangerous
Jay Rollins talks about an instance in his company where the user view of "If it ain't broken, don't fix it" seriously affected the bottom line and what he had to do to correct it.
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Don't let gray areas delay your projects
We've all been there--we're set to start a project when a gray area brings everything to a pause. Jay Rollins talks about how it's best to face the gray areas head on.
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Help Desk Implementation Diary: Week 4
The Help Desk implementation continues this week amid ice storms, power outages, and windstorms. Jay Rollins and his team look at Nimsoft and IPMonitor solutions.
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What you can learn from the ITSM process
In order to add value to your company, you have to be as close to the transaction as possible. By having the larger percentage of IT services focused on support processes, you are one layer removed fr...
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Top ten undergraduate courses for the CIO track
I was recently asked by a prospective undergraduate student what courses she should take if she wanted to become a CIO. Here is my version of the top ten classes that have an impact on the CIO role in...
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Six tips for networking to success
Many people in the IT industry don't know how to network very well. But it's imperative if you want to move up in your career. Here are six tips for networking the right way.