Roles of CIO as he becomes the CTO for enterprises expand to include:

• Becomes a player in creation of the business plan and strategy processes
• Improving the Infrastructure of IT and focusing on improved service levels
• Adding value to and improving the business operational process
• Providing accurate and timely data which complies with needs of all users – both internal and external
• Driving innovation with both technological and systemic advancements

Great places to work are not just those that pay the most.  Criteria that employees look for are:

• Benefits such as 401k's and extensive health and dental insurance which are employer paid
• Work environment that allows for a personal life
• Organizational structure that lets everyone contribute to the success of the enterprise
• Ability to talk with management freely and openly
• Place where everyone has the ability to be seen by management

Utah is a great place to work because of the number of things that you can do there in your time off.

If we are all working hard on our careers, plus doing our jobs well, is there time for anything else? There is if you work in Utah because of the number of outdoor activities you can participate in without having to fight crowds. To succeed in our careers means not only doing well in our jobs, but making sure that our jobs support the lifestyle that we desire. Unfortunately, when people complain about balance, often the problem isn't too much work, but too little life. Solving this problem can be as simple as scheduling non-work activities or as complex as seeking flexible work arrangements. But what "life" activities should be scheduled?

Two clear facts: No one but you knows what your perfect balance should be, and no one but you can know which activities hold interest.

In the case of Utah in the winter there is skiing, and the rest of the year there is golf, mountain and road biking, fishing, hiking, and boating. 

With the prospects not all that great in the IT Job Market, IT professionals need to take care when they leave one company and start a job search.  IT Professionals should do before and after an job interview.

Before the Interview and while you are employed

• Keep track of your accomplishments and keep your resume up-to-date
• Focus your resume to the job you want to get
• Leave your existing job on a good note
• Keep your professional network alive and working
• Extend your search beyond the Internet
• Extend your search to every possible job not just the perfect job
• Have a generic cover letter ready to go
• Focus on your accomplishments in your resume and cover letter – use positive statements
• Eliminate all typos and grammatical errors
• Include your personal cell phone number as the best place to contact you

• Show up on time for appointments and respond to phone and email messages promptly
• Dress for the job you want
• Remember that first impressions last
• Asking meaningful questions
• Speak positively about former boss employers
• Focus and listen to interviewers
• Researching the position and the potential employer
• Be polite and do not discuss politics or religion
• Salary should be one of the last things discussed
• After the interview send a thank you note
• Follow-up but do not be over-aggressive
• Learn from each interview – What did you do right and what did you wrong?
• Keep track of where you have applied – add to your
• Assume you will not get a response from an interview – continue your search

Based on the Janco 2008 Mid Year Salary Survey, there is increased demand for seven positions in large enterprises and six positions in mid-sized businness. 

In large business the positions in high demand are:

• VP - Information Service
• Director Systems & Programming
• Manager Data Warehouse
• Computer Operations - Shift Manager
• Voice Wireless Communications Manager
• Manager Wireless Communications
• Data Center Facility Administrator

In mid-sized business the positions in high demand are:

• VP - Security (CSO)
• Director Systems & Programming
• Director IT Planning
• Computer Operations - Shift Manager
• Computer Operations - Shift Supervisor
• Change Control Analyst

Some keys to managing staff that is smarter than you are the following:

• Focus on results produced not the way or processes that are used
• Manage by not asking questions not directing them in how to do it
• Be open to new ideas and new approaches
• Know what you know and what you do not know
• Listen more than speak
• Provide opportunities to make your staff go beyond existing limits - make them stretch
• Remember that you are the leader and manager and do not abdicate that role
  Hire people smarter and better than yourself
  

When we see IT professionals who are successful we see that they will always develop a deep understanding of what it takes to be successful and follow a few basic tenants that have little to do with technology.  The tenets are:

• Users Rule - No matter what the IT professionals thinks the users are always right even if they are wrong.  If the user is not does not see the right path, the IT professionals must be able to lead them there with dictating the solution.
• The Business Rules - The mission of the enterprise should be the focus of solutions provided by the IT professional.  IT professionals should know the business and the processes that drive the business.
• Organization and Goals Rule - The culture and power structure of the enterprise need to be understood and managed to by IT professionals. 
• Relationships Rule - IT professionals who are trusted by management and non-IT peers are the ones who are the most successful.

On the heels of earlier congressional vote in which the AgJOBS amnesty and the employment-based permanent worker increases were stripped from the Iraq Supplemental bill, he H-2B low skill worker increase has been removed from the Iraq Supplemental spending bill.

That places expansion of the H-1B visa program on a path which could ultimately lead to its reduction and or defeat.

What is the Chief Security Officer (CSO)?  The title Chief Security Officer (CSO) was first used inside the information technology department and function to identify the person responsible for IT security. At many enterprises, the term CSO is still used in this way.

The CSO title is also used in many enterprises to describe the leader of the "corporate security" function, which includes the physical security and safety of employees, facilities and assets. This individual often holds a title such as Vice President or Director of Corporate Security. Historically, corporate security and information security have been handled by separate departments.

The CSO has the responsibility for global and enterprise-wide information security; he/she is also responsible for the physical security, protection services and privacy of the corporation and its employees.

 With the acquisition of EDS by HP there will be a reduction in the number of IT service jobs.  That will have a large impact on Outsources.  There are over 137,000 EDS jobs, with almost 25,000 in India, and many of those jobs will be eliminated in a consolidation and automation of the combined companies data centers. 

The elimination of jobs will put more pressure on outsource providers as there will be a surplus of employees who will be out of work.

In the 1970s that occurred in the US and that drove a recession.  The question is will that be good for the US job market or not.  Only time will tell.