However, the shocking conclusion to 2008 has sent many firms scampering to revise their plans, striking red lines through budget items and generally settling for a holding pattern rather than pursuing rapid growth.
The good news -- if it can be so described -- is that organisations will have to think different in 2009, and that lateral decision-making process is reflected in Gartner's latest list. CIO talked to John Mahoney, Gartner vice president, to discuss the year ahead and his firm's Top 10 predictions, grouped under three themes. "The purpose of the list is to get people to sit up and take notice," he says by way of introduction.
Theme One: Reinforce enduring strengths and assets
1. Start building an alumni network Gartner suggests that in order to maintain holders of legacy and other skills firms should establish networks of ex-staff. This might comprise a web page or use social networking tools and could include reward schemes for useful suggestions.
Mahoney agrees that some might find this fanciful, however.