Whenever a CIO friend of mine takes on a new job, I want to know all about it. How did the executive committee define the CIO role? How did you prepare for the interview? What was compelling about the opportunity? How did you get started? Atilla Tinic, DISH Network’s new CIO, was kind enough to…
How important are soft skills for IT professionals? Very important, most IT leaders agree. In a recent survey of 1,250 HR and line of business executives by consulting firm West Monroe Partners, 98 percent say they evaluate candidates for IT positions on soft skills, usually by means of a behavioral or cultural interview, personality test,…
As retail IT organizations go, Aaron’s is punching above its weight. With an IT staff of 250, the Atlanta-based retailer, which makes furniture, consumer electronics and appliances available for sale or lease to own, doesn’t have the thousands of technologists employed by retailers such as Walmart or Target. But it does have what it hopes…
Predicting the future of work is notoriously risky business if only because disruptive technology shakes up the picture like an Etch a Sketch. Looking past a year or two is difficult and suggesting what will happen a decade from now is uncertain at best. But for those who make their living looking ahead at technology…
AI/ML will gather behavioral data and – through a system of assumptions and calculations known as analytics measurement – create both positive outcomes along with possible negative ones. Where is corporate governance and corporate culture in this readjustment out of public social media platforms and into private social community platforms? Today, good governance is a…
Fragmented legacy systems, heavily outsourced IT support, and significant reliance on manual process are IT problems almost every large organization struggles with. Some, however, like General Electric, are tackling these issues head. The company’s IT leaders made a commitment in October 2017 to transform the multinational conglomerate through a technical initiative that would emphasize employee…
Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML), once considered pie-in-the-sky projects for companies, have become mainstream. More enterprises are harnessing the technology, which mimics the behavior of the human mind, to woo customers and bolster business operations. [ Cut through the hype with our practical guide to machine learning in business and find out the10 signs…
The promise of cloud computing is irresistible. For pocket change, you can spin up a server. Backups can be created with a click. No more worries about buying hardware or keeping the server closet cool. Just log in and go. But what you gain in convenience, you lose a little control. And anyone with an…
Gap analysis definition Gap analysis is a method of comparing the actual level of performance versus the desired level of performance for a business process, project, strategy or IT solution. Gap analysis, sometimes referred to as “needs analysis” or “needs assessment,” is an important tool for determining business requirements and assessing whether business requirements are…
What is Kaizen? Kaizen, a Japanese term that means “change for the better,” has been adapted by organizations as a business strategy aimed at establishing an environment of continuous improvement. The goal of Kaizen is to make the organization, and its products, services and people, better by implementing small scale changes throughout the company. Popular…