Management Strategies

The best management resources

09/30/03

Welcome to the last Network World on Management Strategies newsletter. Starting Oct. 2, this newsletter will have a new name - Network World on IT Leadership - and a new author. If you missed the details, check out last week’s Management Strategies newsletter at http://www.nwfusion.com/newsletters/manage/2003/0922manage1.html

From servers to sales

09/25/03

With the economy being what it is - or isn’t - these days, you have to be flexible. Maybe your company isn’t long for this world or you think maybe you’re not long for the company. Perhaps you’re itching to try something new, yet you know IT professionals aren’t nearly as sought after or scarce as they once were. This week’s Management Strategies stories examines how some IT pros are moving over to sales and taking their valuable experience with them to help them in their new careers.

Changes ahead

09/23/03

The Network World on Management Strategies newsletter will be undergoing some changes starting Oct. 2. First, the newsletter will have a new name: Network World on IT Leadership. The name will reflect a change in direction for the newsletter, which will now focus on your career issues as an IT leader, as well as some of the difficult challenges you face, such as ROI, budgets and getting more out of your staff, vendors and contracts. Second, this newsletter will have a new author, Amy Schurr, who may not be new to all of you. She’s the author of the popular Network World on Careers newsletter, which will be folded into IT Leadership.

What hiring managers want

09/18/03

I can hear the job seekers now, “What don’t they want?” This week’s Management Strategies story in Network World outlines the hottest skills hiring managers desire on a resume.

Questioning skills

09/16/03

Last week, management expert Don Andersson explained to us the difference between hearing and listening. Sure you hear what your employees are saying, but are you listening to them? There’s a big difference.

Language lessons

09/11/03

CIOs and CFOs have to play nice if your company’s going to succeed, but it’s not always easy. This week’s Management Strategies story in Network World outlines the importance of harmony and what IT can do to ensure a happy relationship.

Hearing vs. listening

09/09/03

When it comes to the similarities between listening and hearing, the only one is you use your ears for both. After that, they’re very different. For instance, have you ever had an employee come in your office and you’re on the computer? You’re busy, you’ve got stuff to do, so while they stand there and talk to you, your body is facing the computer, your eyes are on the computer and an ear, or maybe two, is devoted to the poor soul on the other side of your desk.

Managed security services

09/04/03

There’s no doubt that security is the No. 1 worry of IT executives today. All you have to do is look at the neverending stream of viruses and worms heading for your net to know why. Compounding matters, corporate nets have never been more critical to the productivity and profitability of a company. Just think back a couple of weeks to how much work got done thanks to the Sobig.F and Blaster shenanigans.

Updating your resume, Part 2

09/02/03

Last week recruiting expert Phil Sullivan offered advice for setting up the top of your resume - your basic layout, contact information and professional summary.

Outsourcing offshore

08/28/03

With so many U.S. IT professionals out of work today, nothing rankles those masses like the mention of overseas outsourcing. This week’s Management Strategies story examines the concept, one that many U.S. corporations are turning to to stay profitable.

Updating your resume, Part 1

08/26/03

With the job market still very unstable, many folks are updating their resumes. For many of us, it’s an activity we haven’t had to worry about for years, as well as one that makes you scratch your head and wonder if you’re doing it right.

A better interviewing technique?

08/21/03

Hiring employees is one of the most critical aspects of a manager’s job, but it’s also one of the most difficult. Many of us have had to rely on a combination of the person’s qualifications, experience, the interview and our gut instinct. Sometimes this works, sometimes it doesn’t.

Managing large numbers of remote employees

08/19/03

In June, remote management expert Merrily Orsini said successfully managing remote employees boils down to one yardstick - results (see editorial link below). If you give your employees clear duties and deadlines and you get the results you need, it won’t be an issue of whether the staffers work in the cube next door or across the country.

SAN smarts

08/14/03

Network technology is fantastic in many ways. Properly used, it can save your company money and make it more efficient. However there’s one downside regardless of specific technology - it all moves so fast. New standards, protocols and advances seem to crop up every day in the fields of security and wireless, for example.

More tips for running a virtual firm

08/12/03

This week Michelle Chase, managing director of all-virtual, 10-employee firm Perkett PR, shares more of her experiences and best practices when it comes to running a company with no central office.

IT investment styles

08/07/03

Spending and budgets continue to be major concerns on any network executive’s mind. Instead of the willy-nilly, buying frenzy days of the late ’90s, IT investment and spending today is carefully analyzed before purchase orders are cut.

How a virtual firm works

08/05/03

Perkett PR has been an all-virtual firm since its inception in 1998. I recently spoke with Managing Director Michelle Chase about the 10-person company, which has employees from Boston to San Francisco, on how it manages to keep communication and production running smoothly without a central office.

Security auditors

07/31/03

It’s a no-brainer – security is easily the No. 1 concern of network executives today. It’s top of mind in all industries, to be sure, but it’s even more critical in areas such as finance and healthcare, in which federal legislation mandates certain security practices and safeguards.

Assuring your career success, Part 2

07/29/03

Last week, management expert Don Andersson told us we need to shift perspective to stay competitive. In today’s economy, there’s no such thing as job security, so you better start treating yourself as an entrepreneur - a freelancer - if you will. Sure, you work for the same company 40 hours per week, but you need to continue to hone your skills and learn new ones to stay employed.

Your top concerns

07/24/03

Reading about speeds and feeds can get a little tedious sometimes, which is why I look forward to Network World’s annual You Issue. Every July we devote an issue to you, the men and woman behind the machines.

Assuring your career success, Part 1

07/22/03

Management expert Don Andersson says there’s no such thing as job security these days. Unfortunately, I don’t think many of us would argue he’s wrong.

Managing wireless costs

07/17/03

It’s the same concept that moves us to shop at giant warehouse stores -– buying in bulk saves money. It’s true for common goods such as paper towels and especially true for higher-priced, high-tech services like wireless phones.

Happy Half New Year!

07/15/03

Is anyone else having a hard time believing its July already? It seems like 2003 just started, and now it’s half over. Many of us wake up on Jan. 1 with a head full of personal and professional plans and projects. And, all too often, many of us wake up July 1 with those plans and projects a distant memory or a trailing item on a very long to-do list.

More on managing body language

07/10/03

Last time, we covered some of the basic body language mistakes managers make when it comes to space and territory. Today, body language expert Patti Wood offers advice on how your voice and posture contribute to the signals you send.

Managing body language

07/08/03

Usually we managers are pretty conscious of what we say to employees. We try to be motivating, empowering and supportive. Yet while we have only the best intentions, we may unwittingly be giving off distinctly different signals with our body language.

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Melissa Shaw is managing editor of Network World. She can be reached at mshaw@nww.com.