New Year revolutions

09.01.2009
For several years now, the influential analyst firm Gartner has been issuing an annual list of suggestions for CIOs' new year resolutions. Of course, the problem with such lists is that they tend not to vary too much from year to year: technology might move very quickly but strategic planning still tends towards the glacial.

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.